Neutron

Neutron Game Rules

Objective:
Be the first player to achieve one of the following:

1. Move the Neutron (the neutral green piece) into your home row.
2. Trap the Neutron so that your opponent cannot make a legal move with it on their turn.

Jump down to the game

Setup:

• The game is played on a 5x5 grid.
• Each player starts with 5 pieces of their color:
  • Player 1 (Blue): Pieces on the bottom row. This is Player 1's home row.
  • Player 2 (Orange): Pieces on the top row. This is Player 2's home row.
• The Neutron starts in the exact center square of the board.

Gameplay:

1. Opening Move (Player 1 Only):
   • Player 1 begins the game.
   • For their first turn only, Player 1 moves one of their own (Blue) pieces. They do not move the Neutron.
2. Regular Turns (Player 2 onwards, then alternating):
   Each player's turn consists of two mandatory parts, executed in this order:
   • Part 1: Move the Neutron.
     • You must move the Neutron exactly one step in any direction (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, like a chess king) to an adjacent empty square.
   • Part 2: Move one of your own pieces.
     • After moving the Neutron, you must move one of your own colored pieces.
     • Your piece moves as far as possible in any one chosen direction (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, like a chess queen that cannot stop voluntarily).
     • The piece slides in that direction until it either hits another piece (of any color) or the edge of the board. It lands on the last empty square before the obstacle or edge.
     • Pieces cannot jump over other pieces.

Winning the Game:

You win if:

• Neutron in Home Row: During your turn, you move the Neutron into your designated home row.
  • Player 1 (Blue) wins if the Neutron lands on any square in the bottom row.
  • Player 2 (Orange) wins if the Neutron lands on any square in the top row.
• Opponent Cannot Move Neutron: After you complete Part 2 of your turn (moving your own piece), if your opponent has no legal moves available for the Neutron (i.e., all adjacent squares to the Neutron are occupied), you win immediately.

Important Notes:

• You must complete both parts of your turn if possible.
• If the Neutron is moved into a player's home row (Win Condition 1), the game ends immediately, and that player wins, even if it was the opponent who moved it there as Part 1 of their turn (this specific scenario might need clarification based on precise "who wins" intent if player A moves neutron into player B's home row - typically the player whose home row it is wins). 

Neutron game