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== Summary ==
==Goal==
'''Yavalath''' is an acclaimed abstract connection game invented in 2007 by computer scientist '''Cameron Browne''' using his evolutionary game-generation program '''LUDI''', and published by '''nestorgames'''. It holds historical distinction as the first commercially published board game designed by artificial intelligence.


The game is famous for its deceptively simple yet diabolical rule: '''Connect 4 to WIN, but connect 3 and you LOSE!'''
'''Yavalath''' is an abstract strategy game designed in 2007 by computer scientist Cameron Browne using his evolutionary program LUDI, and published by nestorgames. It is famous for its simple yet diabolical rule: '''Connect 4 to WIN, but connect 3 and you LOSE!'''


== Overview & Components ==
==Components==
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto; text-align: left;"
 
{| class="wikitable"
! Component !! Visual !! Description
! Component !! Visual !! Description
|-
|-
| '''Ivory Stone''' || [[File:Yavalath_stone_white.png|28px|middle]] || Player 1 playing piece in 2-player and 3-player games.
| '''White Stone''' || [[File:Yavalath_stone_white.png|28px|middle]] || Player 1 piece.
|-
|-
| '''Ebony Stone''' || [[File:Yavalath_stone_black.png|28px|middle]] || Player 2 playing piece in 2-player and 3-player games.
| '''Black Stone''' || [[File:Yavalath_stone_black.png|28px|middle]] || Player 2 piece.
|-
|-
| '''Lacquered Red Stone''' || [[File:Yavalath_stone_red.png|28px|middle]] || Player 3 playing piece in 3-player games.
| '''Red Stone''' || [[File:Yavalath_stone_red.png|28px|middle]] || Player 3 piece (in 3-player games).
|-
|-
| '''Hex Recess''' || [[File:Yavalath_board_hex.png|28px|middle]] || Board cell on a hexagonal maple grid (Standard: 5 cells per side, 61 cells).
| '''Hexagonal Board''' || [[File:Yavalath_board_hex.png|28px|middle]] || Hexagonal grid of cells (Standard: Side 5, 61 cells).
|-
|-
| '''Winning Line (4+)''' || [[File:Yavalath_win_4.png|28px|middle]] || Highlighted in green: 4 or more pieces in an unbroken straight line.
| '''Winning Line''' || [[File:Yavalath_win_4.png|28px|middle]] || Highlighted in green: 4 or more stones in an unbroken straight line (5 in Five-not-four).
|-
|-
| '''Losing Line (3)''' || [[File:Yavalath_lose_3.png|28px|middle]] || Highlighted in red: exactly 3 pieces in an unbroken straight line.
| '''Losing Line''' || [[File:Yavalath_lose_3.png|28px|middle]] || Highlighted in red: exactly 3 stones in an unbroken straight line (4 in Five-not-four).
|}
|}


== Rules of Play ==
==Setup==
Players start with an empty board and take turns placing one stone of their color onto any unoccupied hexagonal cell [[File:Yavalath_board_hex.png|20px|middle]].
 
* The board starts empty.
* Turn order: White → Black (→ Red in 3-player games).
* Players take turns placing one stone of their colour on an unoccupied hexagonal cell [[File:Yavalath_board_hex.png|20px|middle]].
 
==Winning and Losing==
 
After placing a stone, all unbroken straight lines along the 3 hexagonal axes through that stone are evaluated:
* '''WIN''' [[File:Yavalath_win_4.png|20px|middle]]: If you complete a straight line of '''4 or more''' stones of your colour (5 in Five-not-four), you immediately '''WIN'''!
* '''LOSE''' [[File:Yavalath_lose_3.png|20px|middle]]: If you complete a straight line of '''exactly 3''' stones of your colour (4 in Five-not-four) without simultaneously completing 4, you immediately '''LOSE'''!
* '''Win takes precedence''': If a single placement forms both a winning line and a losing line simultaneously, the '''WIN takes precedence''' and you win the game.
* '''Draw''': If the board fills completely with no winning line, the game ends in a tie.


=== Winning and Losing ===
===Pie Rule (Swap)===
After placing a stone, all lines extending across the three hexagonal board axes through that stone are evaluated:
In 2-player games (when enabled), after Player 1 places their opening stone, Player 2 may either play a normal move or click '''Swap Color''' to take over Player 1's stone and colour.
* '''WIN (4-in-a-row)''' [[File:Yavalath_win_4.png|20px|middle]]: If you create an unbroken straight line of '''4 or more''' stones of your color, you immediately '''WIN''' the game.
* '''LOSE (3-in-a-row)''' [[File:Yavalath_lose_3.png|20px|middle]]: If you create an unbroken straight line of '''exactly 3''' stones of your color (without simultaneously completing 4), you immediately '''LOSE''' the game!
* '''Simultaneous Win/Loss Rule''': If a single placement forms both a line of 4 and a line of 3 at the same time, the '''WIN takes precedence''' and you win the game.
* '''Draw''': If all board cells are filled with no winning line formed, the game ends in a tie.


=== Pie Rule (Swap Option) ===
==Three-Player Rules==
To balance the first-player advantage in 2-player matches, the '''Pie Rule''' is available:
* The first player [[File:Yavalath_stone_white.png|20px|middle]] places one stone.
* The second player [[File:Yavalath_stone_black.png|20px|middle]] may either place their own stone normally or choose to '''Swap''', taking over the first player's stone and color.


== Three-Player Rules ==
When 3 players play Yavalath ([[File:Yavalath_stone_white.png|20px|middle]] White, [[File:Yavalath_stone_black.png|20px|middle]] Black, [[File:Yavalath_stone_red.png|20px|middle]] Red), elimination rules apply:
* '''Elimination''': A player who forms a line of 3 stones [[File:Yavalath_lose_3.png|20px|middle]] is immediately eliminated.
* '''Elimination''': A player who forms a line of 3 stones [[File:Yavalath_lose_3.png|20px|middle]] is immediately eliminated.
* '''Obstacles''': The eliminated player's stones remain on the board as permanent neutral blockers.
* '''Obstacles''': The eliminated player's stones remain on the board as permanent neutral blockers.
* '''Must-Block Rule''': The player whose turn comes next must not be allowed to win. If the next active player could win on their next placement, you '''must''' place your stone on one of those winning cells (highlighted with a red pulse). This applies even if blocking eliminates you.
* '''Must-Block Rule''': You must not allow the player whose turn comes next to win. If the next active player can win on their turn, you '''must''' place your stone on one of those winning cells to block them. This applies even if blocking eliminates you.
* The game ends when a player completes 4-in-a-row (1st place) or two players are eliminated (sole survivor wins).
* The game ends when a player completes 4-in-a-row (wins), or when two players have been eliminated (the sole survivor wins).
 
==Variants (table options)==
 
* '''Board Size & Ruleset''' (Option 100):
** '''Standard (Side 5)''' (default): 61 cells. Connect 4 to win, 3 to lose.
** '''Five-not-four (Side 6)''': 91 cells. Connect 5 to win, 4 to lose.
** '''Compact (Side 4)''': 37 cells. Connect 4 to win, 3 to lose.
* '''Pie Rule (Swap)''' (Option 101, 2 players only):
** '''Enabled''' (default): Player 2 may swap colours on their opening turn.
** '''Disabled''': standard opening without swapping.


== Board Variants ==
==Controls on BGA==
* '''Board Radius 4''' (37 cells): Fast, aggressive tactical game.
* '''Board Radius 5''' (61 cells): Official championship standard board.


== Controls on BGA ==
* '''Placing a stone''': click any unoccupied cell to stage your piece.
* '''Placing a stone''': Click any highlighted valid cell [[File:Yavalath_board_hex.png|20px|middle]] to stage your placement. A ghost stone shows your piece.
* '''Confirming & Undoing''': click blue '''Confirm move''' to finalize, or red '''Undo''' (or click another cell) to change your placement.
* '''Confirm / Cancel''': Click the blue '''Confirm''' button on the action bar to finalize your turn, or click '''Cancel''' (or click another cell) to choose differently.
* '''Pie Rule''': on Player 2's opening turn (if enabled), click '''Swap Color''' in the status bar to swap colours.
* '''Last Move Markers''': The most recent stone placement is highlighted with an amber cell outline to easily track the game state.
* '''Forced block''': when required to block the next player, only the valid blocking cells are legal.
* '''Symbols Preference''': Optional high-contrast geometric symbols on stones can be toggled on/off in player preferences.
* '''Preferences''': Colour-blind symbols on stones (Preference 100, default: Off): displays geometric symbols on stones.

Latest revision as of 13:44, 2 November 2026

Goal

Yavalath is an abstract strategy game designed in 2007 by computer scientist Cameron Browne using his evolutionary program LUDI, and published by nestorgames. It is famous for its simple yet diabolical rule: Connect 4 to WIN, but connect 3 and you LOSE!

Components

Component Visual Description
White Stone Player 1 piece.
Black Stone Player 2 piece.
Red Stone Player 3 piece (in 3-player games).
Hexagonal Board Hexagonal grid of cells (Standard: Side 5, 61 cells).
Winning Line Highlighted in green: 4 or more stones in an unbroken straight line (5 in Five-not-four).
Losing Line Highlighted in red: exactly 3 stones in an unbroken straight line (4 in Five-not-four).

Setup

  • The board starts empty.
  • Turn order: White → Black (→ Red in 3-player games).
  • Players take turns placing one stone of their colour on an unoccupied hexagonal cell .

Winning and Losing

After placing a stone, all unbroken straight lines along the 3 hexagonal axes through that stone are evaluated:

  • WIN : If you complete a straight line of 4 or more stones of your colour (5 in Five-not-four), you immediately WIN!
  • LOSE : If you complete a straight line of exactly 3 stones of your colour (4 in Five-not-four) without simultaneously completing 4, you immediately LOSE!
  • Win takes precedence: If a single placement forms both a winning line and a losing line simultaneously, the WIN takes precedence and you win the game.
  • Draw: If the board fills completely with no winning line, the game ends in a tie.

Pie Rule (Swap)

In 2-player games (when enabled), after Player 1 places their opening stone, Player 2 may either play a normal move or click Swap Color to take over Player 1's stone and colour.

Three-Player Rules

  • Elimination: A player who forms a line of 3 stones is immediately eliminated.
  • Obstacles: The eliminated player's stones remain on the board as permanent neutral blockers.
  • Must-Block Rule: You must not allow the player whose turn comes next to win. If the next active player can win on their turn, you must place your stone on one of those winning cells to block them. This applies even if blocking eliminates you.
  • The game ends when a player completes 4-in-a-row (wins), or when two players have been eliminated (the sole survivor wins).

Variants (table options)

  • Board Size & Ruleset (Option 100):
    • Standard (Side 5) (default): 61 cells. Connect 4 to win, 3 to lose.
    • Five-not-four (Side 6): 91 cells. Connect 5 to win, 4 to lose.
    • Compact (Side 4): 37 cells. Connect 4 to win, 3 to lose.
  • Pie Rule (Swap) (Option 101, 2 players only):
    • Enabled (default): Player 2 may swap colours on their opening turn.
    • Disabled: standard opening without swapping.

Controls on BGA

  • Placing a stone: click any unoccupied cell to stage your piece.
  • Confirming & Undoing: click blue Confirm move to finalize, or red Undo (or click another cell) to change your placement.
  • Pie Rule: on Player 2's opening turn (if enabled), click Swap Color in the status bar to swap colours.
  • Forced block: when required to block the next player, only the valid blocking cells are legal.
  • Preferences: Colour-blind symbols on stones (Preference 100, default: Off): displays geometric symbols on stones.
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