The Rules of Surakarta
These rules are provided by Masters Traditional Games, an Internet shop selling quality traditional games, pub games and unusual games. We publish free game rules in order to promote game playing around the world. To find out more, visit the website www.mastersgames.com or email custserv@mastersgames.com.
You are welcome to print, copy or pass these rules on but only in their original form including the copyright and the information about Masters Traditional Games. The disclaimer on the Masters Traditional Games website applies.
These rules are comprehensive instructions for friendly play. They are not a complete set of standard regulations encompassing all situations that might be encountered. If in doubt, players should always abide by locally-played or house rules. The ancient game of Surakarta comes from the town by the same name on the Indonesian island of Java.
Equipment
The game of Surakarta is played on a special board of 6 x 6 points connected orthogonally to form a grid. Additionally, eight further loops extend out from the board. The points second in at each corner are connected by a three-quarter circle and the points third in from each corner are connected by a larger three-quarter circle concentrically outside the first.
Surakarta is played with 12 stones and 12 shells although black and white pieces will do just as well.
Preparation and Objective
The pieces are set up with the shells on the first two rows nearest the player who will player them and the stones on the first two rows nearest the opponent. A coin should be tossed to decide who plays first.
The objective of the game is to take all of the opponent's pieces.
Play
Players take turns to move one of their pieces. A piece moves orthogonally or diagonally one space within the main grid except when capturing. Jumping over another piece or landing on an occupied point is not allowed for a non-capturing move.
Capturing is done by moving along a line over any number of unoccupied points including a loop until an opponents piece is reached whereupon the opponents piece is captured and the attacking piece takes its place. At least one loop MUST be travelled around in order to capture.
Finishing
The game is won by the player who first manages to take all his opponent's pieces. If a series of games are being played, a score can be kept - the winner of each game scoring the number of pieces remaining on the board at the end of each game.
Copyright © 1999 Masters Games. All rights reserved.
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