Conquest

Opening Position

No. of Players

Two

Equipment

The Conquest board is a 9x9 checker board where the central nine squares of the board are enclosed and referred to as the “fortress”. Eight each of black and white counters, and one each of a specially marked counter representing the king are also required for play.

History

The history of this game is unknown. It may have first been brought into print by Sterling Company’s Family Fun & Games.

Objective

The objective of the game is to achieve one of four possible plans of occupation (see below) of the central nine squares. The plan for occupation must be agreed to prior to the start of any game.

Play

A plan for occupation is agreed upon by both players and it is decided who will play first. Alternate turns entail the movement of any one counter diagonally (forward or backward) to any neighboring vacant square. Note that this means that each counter stays on squares of the same color throughout the game. Opposing counters are exiled by custodianship. Specifically, if a counter moves into a position which sandwiches an enemy counter between it and another friendly counter in a straight diagonal line, the trapped counter may be exiled to any other vacant square of the same color on the board of the captor’s choice.

Sources