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This program was made using Visual Basic 6.0, you will need to install the runtime files necessary to run this program.  Click on VBRun60sp5.exe (0.99 MB) to download the runtime setup program. (If you have done this for another game, you do not need to do this again)

The Setup file is inside a ZIP file, to extract the setup program onto your computer you will need to have Winzip installed.  It is a small program and it is free.  

To report a bug, send an email to [email protected]

The first thing to decide is who is going to Host the game.  The Host then clicks the checkbox for "Host game".  When this is done, the text in the IP Address field should automatically change (ex: 123.123.123.123).  This may or may not be your actual IP Address, due to LANs, Firewalls and other connection issues.  To make sure you have the correct IP to host a game, double click on your Connection icon in the status bar (by the clock).  In the Details or Properties section you should see a "Client IP" value, such as "123.145.2.222".  This is the value you must give the other player (the client) for them to be able to connect with your host machine.  The client will type the IP given by you into the textbox that contains the dummy line "0.0.0.0".  

Once the host has the IP information entered correctly, the host can change the port number if they want (every program that connects to the internet needs its own individual port number).  If you are having problems, it may be a wrong IP Address, but it may also be that the port number is already in use by another program.  

Now the Host can select a Nickname for themselves (which is used in chat messages), and then press the "Connect" button.  The Connect button should now change its text to show that is "Listening" for the other player to connect to the Host machine.  

Now once all of the information above is set, the Host should then tell the other player what those values are so they can now connect to the Host's computer.  The Client player can also give themselves a nickname for chat.  Once all that information is done, they should then press the "Connect" button.  If successful, you should see a message in the Chat Window saying you have joined the game. 

Once connected, both players should now be able to select a color to sit down on and begin placing pieces to play the game.  Once a person selects a color, the other player is automatically assigned the opposite color.  

A player has a few options as to how to lay out the pieces in the program.  They can choose to drag and drop a few (or all) the pieces from their side tray over onto the game board.  At any time the player may also press the "Auto" setup button which then places the remaining unused pieces onto the board automatically for the player.

Once pieces are placed down on the board (and setup hasn't been "finished") the player may swap the pieces already placed down with each other. 

If at any time to player wishes to clear the pieces on the game board to start fresh for some reason, they can press the "Clear" setup button.

Once every piece is laid out and where the player wishes the pieces to be, the player should then press the "Finished" setup button, allowing for the start of game, once each player is done. 

• Turns alternate, first red then blue.
• A piece moves from square to square, one square at a time. (Except 9s 'Scouts') A piece may be moved foward, backward, or sidewards, but NOT DIAGONALLY.
• The 'Scout' may move any number of OPEN squares forward, backward, or sidewards (right or left) in a straight line if the player so desires. This movement, of course, then reveals to the opponent the value of that piece. Therefore, the player may choose to move the 'Scout' only one square in his or her turn, so as to keep the Scout's identity hidden. The Scout is valuable for probing the opponent's positions. The Scout MAY NOT MOVE & STRIKE in the same turn.
• The two lakes in the middle of the board are not allowed to be moved on by the pieces.
• Two pieces may not occupy the same square at the same time.
• A piece may not move through a square occupied by a piece, nor jump over a piece.
• Only one piece may be moved in one turn.
• The 'Flag' and 'Bomb' pieces CANNOT be moved. Once these pieces are placed at the start of the game they MUST REMAIN IN THE SQUARE. Note the 'Flag' and 'Bomb' pieces cannot attack.
• Once a piece has been moved into a square and the hand removed, it cannot be moved back to its original position in that turn.
• Pieces CANNOT be moved back and forth between the same 2 squares in 3 consecutive turns.
• A player must either "move" or "strike" for each turn.

• When a red and blue piece occupy adjoining squares either back to back, side to side, or face to face, they are in a position to attack or "strike". NO DIAGONAL strikes can be made.
• A player may NOT MOVE and STRIKE in the same turn.
• It is NOT required to "strike" when two opposing pieces are in position.
• To "strike" or attack, the player whose turn it is, takes his or her piece and places on the same square as the opponent's piece.
• The piece with the lower rank is lost and removed from the board. The winning higher ranking piece is then move immediately into the empty square formerly occupied by the losing piece.
• When equal ranks are struck, the BOTH pieces are lost and removed from the board.
• A Marshal (1) removes a General (2), a General removes a Colonel (3), a Colonel removes a Major (4), and so on down to the Spy, which is the lowest ranking piece.
• The Spy, however, has the special privilege of being able to remove ONLY the Marshal provided the player with the spy strikes FIRST. That is, if the Spy "strikes" the Marshal in his or her turn, the Marshal is removed. However, if the Marshal "strikes" first, the Spy is removed. All other pieces remove the Spy regardless of who strikes first.
• When any piece (except a Miner) strikes a Bomb, that piece is removed from the board. The Bomb does NOT moved into the empty square, but remains in its original position at all times. When a Miner strikes a Bomb, the Bomb is lost and the Miner moves into the unoccupied square.
• A Bomb CANNOT strike, but must wait until a moveable piece strikes it.
• Remember, the Flag also can never be moved.