Fox and Geese
A classic hunt game on the cross-shaped board. One fox jumps and the thirteen geese try to corner it. Play either side against a bot with three strengths.
How to play
- Choose to play the Fox or the Geese and a bot level. The fox moves first.
- The fox moves one point along a line in any of the four directions, or jumps over an adjacent goose into the empty point behind it, which removes that goose.
- The geese move one point forward or sideways along a line but never backward, and they cannot jump.
- The geese win by leaving the fox with no move. The fox wins by taking seven geese, or by blocking the geese so none can move. If the geese cannot trap the fox in time it is a draw.
Tips and strategy
- As the geese, advance in a solid line. A goose with another goose or the board edge directly behind it can never be jumped.
- As the geese, shrink the fox's open space a row at a time instead of rushing one goose forward on its own.
- As the fox, stay near the geese and wait for a gap. A goose with an empty point behind it is a free capture.
- As the fox, avoid the corners of the cross arms. A fox with fewer exits is much easier to trap.
FAQ
- Why can the geese not move backwards?
- That rule is what makes the game fair. If the geese could retreat they could never be forced into a gap and the fox would have nothing to attack.
- Is the fox forced to jump?
- No. A capture is optional in this version, though it is almost always the best move.
- How are the points on the Best counter earned?
- Only wins score. You get a bonus for the level, plus 10 for every goose you keep as the geese or every goose you take as the fox.