What is Surakarta?

Surakarta is a two-player abstract strategy game named after the city of Surakarta on the Indonesian island of Java. Its 6×6 board is crossed by two coloured circuits that loop around the corners, and those loops are the only way to capture.

How to play

• Each side has 12 pieces on its two back rows.
• On a turn, move one piece one square in any direction, including diagonally, to an empty square. A step never captures.
• To capture, send a piece along a circuit, round at least one corner loop, onto the first piece on its path. That piece must belong to your opponent.
• The path must be clear, but it may pass over the square your piece started from.
• Capture all the enemy pieces to win. After sixty moves with no capture, the side with more pieces wins.

Strategy

• Every capture can be answered along the same line, so count attackers and defenders before you trade.
• The corners sit on no circuit, so a piece there is safe but useless.
• Opening a line works on both sides. Moving one of your pieces can expose the one behind it.

Ways to play

• Against the computer: four levels. Wins raise your rating, which sets your place on the leaderboard.
• Quick match: an online opponent, with a computer player stepping in if nobody is around.
• Play a friend: make a private room and send the code or link.
• One screen: two players take turns on the same device.

FAQ

How do captures work in Surakarta? A piece travels along a coloured line, must go round at least one loop, and captures the first enemy it reaches. The board marks every capture available to your selected piece.

Which colour circuit do I use? Either. Both circuits are open to both players.

How long does a game take? Usually 10 to 20 minutes, though the computer's fast replies can make it shorter.