Jul-Gonu
Jul-Gonu (줄 고누 in Korean) is a two-player abstract strategy board game from Korea. It is one of many Gonu games. The game has a relatively small board (4 x 4 square board), and yet offers a challenge at different levels. The game could be played on a larger board, however, it tends to be tiresome. Jul means "lines", and the lines of the board are often drawn on the ground. The game is also referred to as "Ne-Jul-Gonu" (네 줄 고누), i.e. "Four Lines Gonu", referring to the four lines in each direction.
The game is remotely related to Ming Mang (game).
Goal
A player wins if he or she reduces their opponent's pieces to one, or stalemates their opponent's pieces by not allowing them to move on their turn.
Equipment
A 4 x 4 square board (or grid) is used. Each player has 4 pieces. One plays as the black pieces, and the other plays as the white pieces.
Game Play and Rules
1. Player decide what colors to play, and who starts first. Players alternate their turns. Each player moves only one piece per turn.
2. Each player's four pieces are initially set up on the first rank of their respective side.
3. A piece moves orthogonally (following the lines) one space onto a vacant space per turn. However, a move that repeats a previous position is not allowed.
4. Capturing is done by the custodian method. If two pieces from one player flanks an enemy piece(s) on both sides with no vacant space in between, the enemy piece(s) are captured and removed from the board. The custodian capture must be done in an orthogonal direction (not diagonal direction). Please note that more than one piece can be captured with this method.