Game: Double Take
Double Take © 1999 Andrew B. Perkis
Rules file and graphics by W. D. Troyka, March 2003.
PLAYING EQUIPMENT -- The board pattern is composed ot two separate but superimposed networks, one red and the other green. Likewise, there are two sets of twelve pieces -- one of each colour.
SETTING UP -- Choose any random method to decide who plays which colour. Players then face each other with the board placed lengthways between them and so oriented that they each have the broad border line of their own colour at their near end. At start of play, both players arrange their pieces on their three near rows, using the playing points that match the colour they are playing. Throughout the game, pieces stay on their own colour and always move by following lines of that colour.
THE OBJECT OF THE GAME for each player is to be the first to have four pieces planted on the opposing player's first row (in other words, their own far row). This wins even if the other player could match it or take one of the pieces on their next move.
MOVES -- The player with red starts and thereafter each player in turn moves a piece along a line of their own colour to the nearest playing point of that colour. On your turn of play you may only move one piece and only one piece may occupy a playing point at any moment. As long as a player is able to move, he or she must do so. Except when making a capture (see next section), pieces can only move forwards: either directly or diagonally. Note that any orthogonal move (i.e., not a diagonal one) bypasses an enemy playing point. Such a move can only be made if the intervening point is unoccupied. This rule applies to capturing moves also.
CAPTURES are by custodianship, or "sandwiching." When a move is made which results in an enemy piece being sandwiched -- either vertically or horizontally -- then the sandwiched piece is removed from the board. Often two (and sometimes three) pieces can be captured in one go. Four is possible but unlikely. Capturing is optional rather than compulsory. Unlike other moves, capturing moves can be made in any direction. A piece can be moved to a point between two enemy pieces (i.e., into a sandwich) without being captured. A piece that does so, however, can often be taken immediately afterwards by a move which completes an alternatively oriented sandwich on it. When a piece moves into a sandwich, it can still effect a capture in the normal way.
RULES CONCERNING PIECES ON THE FAR ROW -- When a piece has reached the far row it may not be moved again except to capture. If it moves sideways to do so, it stays at the point moved to -- unless it makes another capturing move later. However, if a piece moves back off the far row in order to capture, then the restriction against non-capturing moves ceases. Pieces on the far row have no protection against being taken although it is worth noting that it is not possible to capture a piece on a corner point. Of course, once a winning occupation of the far row has been completed, no piece can be taken and the game ends.
FURTHER POINTS ABOUT HOW THE GAME MAY END -- A player would normally give up when he or she is reduced to three pieces, cannot move, or has pieces so badly placed that a winning occupation of the far row cannot be achieved. In all such cases, however, the game can also be played out to the finish if the defending player wishes. Whenever one player is unable to move, the other simply continues with successive moves, which may continue until the game is concluded. In the rare event of neither player being able to get four pieces to their far row, the result is a draw.
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