Game guide · NEW61
Breakthrough: from controls to your first round
A careful first move helps you understand the round. Reach the opposite back row with one of your pieces, or capture all opposing pieces. Keep the goal in mind before your next move. Each player begins with sixteen pieces on the nearest two rows of an 8×8 board. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
8×8 board, sixteen pieces per side, basic local computer strategy and same-device play. No promotion, castling or remote multiplayer.
Bring this focus to a round
Read the position before choosing your next action. Capture only one square diagonally forward. Straight captures and backward moves are not allowed. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
What you are aiming for
Reach the opposite back row with one of your pieces, or capture all opposing pieces. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
How to proceed
- Each player begins with sixteen pieces on the nearest two rows of an 8×8 board.
- Blue moves upward and red downward. Move one square straight or diagonally forward into an empty square.
- Capture only one square diagonally forward. Straight captures and backward moves are not allowed.
- Reach the farthest row with any piece, or remove all opposing pieces, to win. Captures are optional.
- Choose a computer opponent or two players on the same device. New round resets the board.
Getting comfortable with the controls
Tap one of your pieces, then a highlighted destination. Select a different piece to change your choice. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
Learn from a sample situation
Take a moment to check the current turn. A blue piece can advance straight into an empty square or diagonally forward into an empty or red-occupied square. The game area remains available above the explanation.
Where a round can go wrong
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. Breakthrough pieces are not chess pawns: diagonal moves into empty squares are legal, and there is no initial two-square move. The game area remains available above the explanation.
Questions about this game
For this game, what is the aim of Breakthrough?
Reach the opposite back row with one of your pieces, or capture all opposing pieces. No download or player account is required.
For this game, how do the controls work?
Tap one of your pieces, then a highlighted destination. Select a different piece to change your choice. You can start a new round from the game controls.
On this page, can you show an example?
A blue piece can advance straight into an empty square or diagonally forward into an empty or red-occupied square. The game is played locally in your browser.
When I start, which mistake should I avoid?
Breakthrough pieces are not chess pawns: diagonal moves into empty squares are legal, and there is no initial two-square move. The instructions above use these same rules.
For this game, what rules and limits are used here?
8×8 board, sixteen pieces per side, basic local computer strategy and same-device play. No promotion, castling or remote multiplayer. The game is played locally in your browser.
For this game, how many people can play here?
Computer or same-device 2 players. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
When I start, can I move diagonally without capturing?
Yes. A diagonally forward empty square is a legal destination. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
Can I capture straight ahead?
No. Captures must be diagonally forward. The controls work with mouse or touch.
During a round, is capturing compulsory?
No. You may choose any legal move. You can start a new round from the game controls.
For this game, what wins the round?
Reaching the opponent’s back row with one piece, or capturing every opposing piece. The game is played locally in your browser.
