The Game of Y

( Text and web page by Dariusz Stachowski.  )
 
 

( Games in progress. )

The Game

The game is a connection game played between two people across a triangular board.  Both players take turns to place a piece on the board.  Black goes first.  The objective is to be the first to complete a chain of pieces that connects all three edges of the board.  Corners are common to both of the adjoining sides.  A game cannot end in a draw.

The Swap Rule

The second player ( white ) has the option to 'swap' immediately after the first player has made his first move.  If swapped the roles will be reversed.  The first player will take the white pieces and will play against his own first move.  The second player is given a swap option in order to counter the first play advantage that the first player would otherwise have.  

The Game Board

The game can be played on a range of board sizes.  Size 19 ( 19 nodes along each edge ) should be the minimum for serious play.  With anything smaller there will not be opportunity for many rounds of attack and counter-attack.

Note one curiosity.  Boards with sizes 19, 22, 25... ( incrementing in jumps of three ) will have a node in the direct centre of the board.  With other sizes the board centre will fall on the mid point between three touching nodes.  This might be a factor to consider when deciding whether to swap or not.

One interesting variation of the game is to play on a curved board such as the one given here.

( Curved board. )

More Information

The GoRilla Game Editor.   GoRilla is an SGF game editor that can be used to analyse and review games of Y ( and also of Go/WeiQi, Connect6, Havannah, Othello/Reversi, Hex and Unlur ).  It is a compact, non-commercial program, and is available from my web page [ gorilla.html ].  I hope you will find it a useful product.

Play by eMail.  Y can be played by eMail at Richard Rognlie's PBeM server [ http://www.gamerz.net/pbmserv/ ].  I am 'dashstofsk' at the PBeM server and will welcome all challenges to a game.