Taugo 2023

Taugo (from Proto-Germanic: taugô, meaning "string") is a board game for two players: Black and White. It is played on the intersections (points) of a square board initially empty without edge lines, with the closest line to this edge called the perimeter line. The recommended board size is 16 points per side. Each player has access to a single set of identical stones in two colors, one color on the front and another on the back.

Definitions: A string is a set of stones of the same color connected orthogonally to each other. A single stone is also considered a string. A knot is an area of 2x2 stones of the same color. The formation of knots within strings is prohibited. To flip is to replace a stone with one of the opposite color. A cut point is an empty point orthogonally adjacent to a single stone of an enemy string, such that to reach it, you must do so in a straight line from a friendly stone, crossing the string, even if there are more enemy stones in between. To cut is to flip enemy stones by accessing their cut points with your stones. You can only cut enemy stones orthogonally adjacent to at least two stones of the same color. The value of a string is the number of stones it contains at the perimeter line, calculated using triangular scoring, which involves summing the consecutive natural numbers from 1 to the number of stones at the perimeter line.

Turns:Black plays first and then turns alternate. On your turn, perform one of the following actions:

Place (i) a stone of your color on an empty point not orthogonally adjacent to friendly stones or (ii) place one or more stones of your color, each on empty points in a straight line, with the first adjacent orthogonally to a friendly stone, possibly cutting enemy strings in the process. Pass your turn.

At the end of your turn, there must be no friendly stones in any empty point beyond the perimeter line, unless you use that point as a cut point.

End of the game:The game ends when both players consecutively pass their turn. At the end of the game, points are tallied by summing the value of all friendly groups, plus a half-point bonus to the player with the fewer number of strings. Additionally, extra points are awarded for each stone that has reached the edge of the board according to triangular scoring, but without considering the strings to which they belong.

—description from the designer