Domino checkers

**Domino checkers** is a hybrid strategy board game for two to four players, developed by Ryan Nurse as a child. Contrary to the name, the game bears little resemblance to either dominoes or checkers, and indeed it uses counters as its game pieces rather than checkers. Nurse has played the game few times since its creation, but has invented several variants, and aims to create a computerized version one day to help the game spread.

## Rules

Domino checkers is played on a maze-like board constructed from dominoes. This can either use a pre-selected layout, or be dynamically constructed by the players themselves prior to playing, allowing numerous different configurations of the playing field. Due to the game's movement rules, the field's layout has a significant effect on the game's strategy. Each player has at least one counter, depending on the variant.

### Goal

The aim of the game is to capture the opponents' pieces, and be the last player left on the board.

### Setup

The game starts with the construction of the game board, using a standard set of dominoes. Like a dominoes game, the dominoes must be laid end-to-end in a maze-like configuration, with only matching-numbered ends touching. However, these boards are more complex, branching and labyrinthine, featuring several "loops" and at least four "dead ends". A blank end cannot be a dead end. The board can either be constructed to a pre-determined layout, or dynamically constructed by the players. In the latter case, building the board may become part a key strategic part of the game.

Once the board has been constructed, each player places their counter(s) on one of the "dead ends". Each player's counters are usually different colours for convenience. The methods for deciding turn order vary.

### Movement

On their turn, each player moves their currently active counter a number of spaces across the board, equal to the value of the end that that counter is currently on (hence why dead ends, the starting positions, cannot be blank). For example, if the player starts their turn on the "3" end of the "3-2" domino, they may move three spaces. Each turn thus determines how many spaces the player can move on their next turn: if the player ends their turn on a "6", they may move six spaces next turn. Unlike many board games, players are able to double back on themselves, allowing for more complex strategies. If a player ends their turn on a blank square, they may repeat their turn, moving the same number of spaces again.

If a counter lands on another counter, it "captures" that counter, removing it from the board. The exception is if the counter is on a dead end, in which case the attacking counter is captured instead. A counter may continue to move after capturing another counter, and can thus capture multiple counters in one turn.

### Variants

Despite the game's relative obscurity, several variants have been created by Nurse.

* **Classic**: The standard game mode. Each player has only one counter. Setting up the game often takes more time than the match itself, which can often last only a few turns.
* **Modern**: Similar to Classic except that each player has multiple counters (usually 4-5). When one is captured, the next one becomes active. The aim, again, is to be the last player left with counters.
	+ **Deathmatch**: A variant of Modern where the aim is instead to capture as many opposing counters as possible.
* **Pursuit**: One player acts as the "runner", and the other player(s) as "chasers". The runner must elude being captured by the chaser(s) for as long as possible. The runner cannot capture the chasers; if they occupy the same square as them at any time, they are out.
	+ **Death Pursuit**: A variant of Pursuit where the chaser is able to capture the runner(s); however, a captured runner will then re-enter play on their next turn, at a dead end of their choice (so long as they cannot then immediately catch the runner on their first turn).