Tips unclechestnuttablegype

At the outset, line up your pieces in such a way that you can jump over your own pieces to get further toward the opposite side (your goal). The flame is your best piece ( it corresponds the the ‘queen’ in chess). Use it for jumping, and try to avoid leaving it adjacent to any opponent’s piece likely to jump it.

I start the game by moving my corner piece on the side adjacent an opponent for a three person game, and from either opponent’s corner for a four-player game. The idea is to move pieces towards your opponents so you can start jumping right away. Your moves needn’t start from the corners for a two-player game as there aren’t any pieces coming across from either side, your opponent is headed right for you.

Try positioning your move adjacent to a less desirable piece of yours (like the tree or hat) to jump over it next round. Jumping over other players pieces is generally better than jumping your own pieces. Jump over your own piece only in order to refresh them, to move them toward your goal or next to another player’s piece you want to jump. It’s better to avoid jumping your better pieces, but it is still a great way to refresh your ears and other less desireable pieces.

Move your pieces adjacent to other players in the direction of your goal. The best jumps will position you for another immediate jump. It doesn’t matter if jumps move you away from your goal provided you can immediately jump back in the direction of your goal. Beware: This ability to ‘jump back’ is not available with the tree as it only moves diagonally forward, not backwards. Also, remember that the hat never gets to jump twice.

At the out set and as you approach your goal, jumps are less available, so plan to take greatest advantage of jumps in the middle where encounters with your opponent (or jumps) are more likely. I have the most fun when jumping as many opponents pieces as I can in one turn - sometimes that degrades their pieces, sometimes not - it’s tons of fun anyway !