Kendo
Kendo Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Object of the Game
In this varied game, each player tries to be the first to conquer the fortress with his Emperor. The aim is to protect your own Emperor skilfully from enemy attacks while at the same time capturing as many enemy pieces as possible.
Contents
- 1 game board, punched into 6 parts
- 1 punch sheet with 32 playing pieces and 4 spare pieces (in case one is lost)
- 1 rulebook
Preparation
The first time the game is played, the pieces must be removed from the punch sheet. The best way is: turn the punch sheet over, then carefully press the playing pieces out from the unprinted side with your thumbs. The game board is assembled like a simple jigsaw puzzle into a square.
Number of Players
The game can be played by 2, 3 or 4 players. Depending on the number of players, the individual games play out very differently.
With 2 players, the pieces can be set up at the start either opposite each other or side by side on the board. The two kinds of setup lead to quite different styles of play.
Setting Up the Pieces
Each player receives 8 pieces of one colour. The Emperor is placed on the starting space of the same colour. The remaining pieces are placed as the diagram in the original rulebook shows.
Piece Values and Movement
Each piece moves according to its value:
- The Emperor (value 1): may only ever advance one point.
- The King (value 2): must always advance two points.
- The Nobleman (value 3): must always advance three points.
With every piece you may move in any direction, that is, also backwards. During a single move the direction may not be changed, i.e., you may not touch the same point twice. Neither your own nor enemy pieces may be jumped over. Only the Emperors may enter the centre of the fortress.
Course of Play
Once the pieces are on the board, one player begins. He moves one of his pieces according to its value (for example, a Nobleman moves 3 points). The next player is then up, and so on. Whoever is up must move.
Each player tries to play skilfully so that he occupies the fortress with his Emperor first. Each player will take care to use his other pieces to protect his Emperor from being captured, because only with the Emperor can he win the game.
Capturing
On the first move, no capturing is allowed. From the second move onwards, each player may choose whether or not to capture an enemy piece.
To capture an enemy piece, you must move your piece directly onto the corresponding point. Every piece may capture and be captured. A captured piece is removed from the game.
If an Emperor is captured, its owner is eliminated and has lost this game. His remaining pieces stay on the board. They can, however, still be captured during the rest of the game as usual.
Winning the Game
Whoever first occupies the centre of the fortress with his Emperor has won.
Scoring
If several rounds are played one after another, a scoring can be made. At the end of the game, each player receives the value of each piece he still has in play. The winner of a round receives 5 extra points.