JCSM Shareware Description
Program: Blockade

Program Description:

Having written versions of most of the well-known two-player strategy 
games, I decided to start inventing my own. I wanted something with very 
simple components and territorial concepts, like OTHELLO and GO, but at 
the same time complexities at depth. Examine the above rules - note that 
any move ONLY effects the squares IMMEDIATLY ADJACENT to the move. I 
originally experimented with rules that stretched right across the board 
(a bit like 'chaos' theory) - however it was too complex to be playable, 
and computer move-generation and search time would have been high. 
Originally I allowed moves anywhere on the board, however I found that 
by limiting moves to empty squares adjacent to BOTH a white and black 
piece, the MOBILITY (ie. number of legal moves) available to players 
drops, and play becomes more forceful. Tactics are sharpened futher by 
awarding special point bonuses for occupying EDGE and CORNER squares - 
this, in combination with the mobility limitation leads to long, 
interesting winning sequences and lines. Because of the adjacency rule, 
it is necessary to have some pieces on the board to kick the game off - 
the pattern I have chosen allows plenty of choices early on in the game. 
                                                                 

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