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== Summary ==
== Summary ==
'''Yavalath''' is an acclaimed abstract strategy 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.
'''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 renowned for its deceptively simple yet diabolical twist on connection games: '''Connect 4 to WIN, but connect 3 and you LOSE!'''
The game is famous for its deceptively simple yet diabolical rule: '''Connect 4 to WIN, but connect 3 and you LOSE!'''


== Overview & Objective ==
== Overview & Components ==
* '''Players''': 2 or 3 players
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto; text-align: left;"
* '''Board''': Hexagonal grid of varying sizes (Standard: 5 cells per side, 61 total cells)
! Component !! Visual !! Description
* '''Pieces''': Stones in White, Black (and Red for 3-player games)
|-
* '''Objective''': Be the first to create an unbroken straight line of '''4 of your stones''' while avoiding ever forming a line of '''3 of your stones'''.
| '''Ivory Stone''' || [[File:Yavalath_stone_white.png|28px|middle]] || Player 1 playing piece in 2-player and 3-player games.
|-
| '''Ebony Stone''' || [[File:Yavalath_stone_black.png|28px|middle]] || Player 2 playing piece in 2-player and 3-player games.
|-
| '''Lacquered Red Stone''' || [[File:Yavalath_stone_red.png|28px|middle]] || Player 3 playing 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).
|-
| '''Winning Line (4+)''' || [[File:Yavalath_win_4.png|28px|middle]] || Highlighted in green: 4 or more pieces in an unbroken straight line.
|-
| '''Losing Line (3)''' || [[File:Yavalath_lose_3.png|28px|middle]] || Highlighted in red: exactly 3 pieces in an unbroken straight line.
|}


== Core Gameplay ==
== Rules of Play ==
Players start with an empty board and take turns placing one stone of their color onto any unoccupied hexagonal cell.
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]].


=== Winning and Losing ===
=== Winning and Losing ===
After placing a stone, all lines extending in the three hexagonal axes passing through that stone are evaluated:
After placing a stone, all lines extending across the three hexagonal board axes through that stone are evaluated:
# '''WIN (4-in-a-row)''': If you create a straight line of '''4 or more''' stones of your color, you immediately '''WIN''' the game.
* '''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)''': If you create a straight line of '''exactly 3''' stones of your color (without simultaneously completing 4), you immediately '''LOSE''' 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 stone placement simultaneously forms both a line of 4 and a line of 3, the '''WIN takes precedence''' and you win 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 cells on the board are filled without any winning or losing line being completed, the game ends in a tie.
* '''Draw''': If all board cells are filled with no winning line formed, the game ends in a tie.
 
=== Pie Rule (Swap Option) ===
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 ==
== Three-Player Rules ==
When 3 players play Yavalath, the game uses elimination 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:
* If a player creates a line of 3 stones, that player is '''immediately eliminated'''.
* '''Elimination''': A player who forms a line of 3 stones [[File:Yavalath_lose_3.png|20px|middle]] is immediately eliminated.
* '''Must block''': the player whose turn comes next must not be allowed to win. If the next surviving player could complete a winning line with their next stone, you '''must''' place your stone on one of those winning cells (if there are several, you can only block one, but you must choose one of them). This applies even if your blocking stone forms a line of 3 and eliminates you; if it forms a line of 4 you win instead. When no such threat exists you may play anywhere.
* '''Obstacles''': The eliminated player's stones remain on the board as permanent neutral blockers.
* '''Stones remain on the board''': The eliminated player's stones stay on the board for the rest of the game as neutral obstacles/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.
* The remaining players continue playing in clockwise order.
* 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 connects 4-in-a-row (that player wins 1st place), OR
** A second player is eliminated (the sole survivor wins 1st place).
 
=== 3-Player Victory Points & Ranking ===
BGA ranks all three positions individually for fair ELO rating calculation:
* '''1st Place (Winner)''': '''2 VP''' (Won against both 2nd and 3rd place)
* '''2nd Place (Runner-Up / Later Survivor)''': '''1 VP''' (Won against 3rd place, lost to 1st place)
* '''3rd Place (First Player Eliminated)''': '''0 VP''' (Lost against both players)
 
== Game Options & Variants ==
When creating a table on Board Game Arena, several official rulesets and options are available:
 
=== 1. Board Size & Ruleset ===
* '''Standard (Side 5 / 61 cells)''' ''(Default)'':
** Classic game board. Connect 4 to WIN, 3 to LOSE.
* '''Five-not-four (Side 6 / 91 cells)''':
** The official large-board variant designed by Cameron Browne.
** On this spacious board, the goals scale up: '''Connect 5 to WIN''', and '''Connect 4 to LOSE'''!
* '''Compact (Side 4 / 37 cells)''':
** A high-speed, tactical blitz board with tighter margins and intense sudden-death tension. Connect 4 to WIN, 3 to LOSE.
 
=== 2. The Pie Rule (Swap Rule) ===
* '''Disabled''' ''(Default)'': Standard opening.
* '''Enabled''': In 2-player games, Player 1 has a natural first-move initiative. To ensure tournament fairness, Player 2 on Turn 2 is given an opening choice:
** Make a normal move with Black, '''OR'''
** Click '''"Swap Colors (Pie Rule)"''': Steal Player 1's opening stone and take over as White! Player 1 then receives Black and plays the next move.


== Strategy & Tactical Tips ==
== Board Variants ==
* '''Forcing Traps''': The core tactic of Yavalath is forcing your opponent into a position where every legal move completes 3-in-a-row.
* '''Board Radius 4''' (37 cells): Fast, aggressive tactical game.
* '''Mind the Gap''': Placing stones with 1-cell gaps (e.g. stone - empty - stone) creates powerful future connection threats without triggering the 3-in-a-row penalty prematurely.
* '''Board Radius 5''' (61 cells): Official championship standard board.
* '''The Double Threat''': If you can create a move that threatens to make 4-in-a-row in two different directions, your opponent can only block one, securing your victory on the following turn.
* '''Triangle Awareness''': Be careful when building compact clusters of stones; tight clusters often accidentally form lines of 3 along unexpected diagonal axes.


== Credits ==
== Controls on BGA ==
* '''Game Design''': Cameron Browne & LUDI
* '''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.
* '''Original Publisher''': [https://nestorgames.com nestorgames] (Néstor Romeral Andrés)
* '''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.
* '''BGA Digital Adaptation''': Jayadev Haddadi
* '''Last Move Markers''': The most recent stone placement is highlighted with an amber cell outline to easily track the game state.
* '''Symbols Preference''': Optional high-contrast geometric symbols on stones can be toggled on/off in player preferences.

Revision as of 11:54, 2 November 2026

Summary

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!

Overview & Components

Component Visual Description
Ivory Stone Player 1 playing piece in 2-player and 3-player games.
Ebony Stone Player 2 playing piece in 2-player and 3-player games.
Lacquered Red Stone Player 3 playing piece in 3-player games.
Hex Recess Board cell on a hexagonal maple grid (Standard: 5 cells per side, 61 cells).
Winning Line (4+) Highlighted in green: 4 or more pieces in an unbroken straight line.
Losing Line (3) Highlighted in red: exactly 3 pieces in an unbroken straight line.

Rules of Play

Players start with an empty board and take turns placing one stone of their color onto any unoccupied hexagonal cell .

Winning and Losing

After placing a stone, all lines extending across the three hexagonal board axes through that stone are evaluated:

  • WIN (4-in-a-row) : 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) : 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)

To balance the first-player advantage in 2-player matches, the Pie Rule is available:

  • The first player places one stone.
  • The second player 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 ( White, Black, Red), elimination rules apply:

  • 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: 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.
  • The game ends when a player completes 4-in-a-row (1st place) or two players are eliminated (sole survivor wins).

Board Variants

  • 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 highlighted valid cell to stage your placement. A ghost stone shows your piece.
  • 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.
  • Last Move Markers: The most recent stone placement is highlighted with an amber cell outline to easily track the game state.
  • Symbols Preference: Optional high-contrast geometric symbols on stones can be toggled on/off in player preferences.
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