How to Play Cordoba

Objective of the Game

In Córdoba, a tactics game for 2 players, you step into a historical setting where Jews, Christians, and Muslims coexisted harmoniously in 10th-century Spain. The game revolves around maintaining religious balance. The winner is the player who first moves four of their stones to the destination row (the far side of the board). If both players achieve this in consecutive turns, the game ends in a draw.

Preparation (Setup)

1. Place the board between the two players, seated side by side.
2. Each player receives all pieces of one color.
3. Place pieces on their start fields, marked by either a number or a letter.
4. Agree on who will be the starting player.

Game Flow

Players take turns moving their pieces. On your turn, move one piece:

• Movement: Move two squares in a straight line sideways or forwards (forwards can be orthogonal or diagonal).
• You may jump over other stones during the move.
• The destination must be empty or occupied by a same-colored piece. If occupied, place the newcomer to the left or right of the resident piece.
• If you create a doubly occupied field, you must move one piece away from it on your next turn.

Actions and How to Play

Movement Rules

Pieces move two squares in a straight line (sideways or forwards, orthogonally or diagonally). Jumping over other stones is allowed.

Doubly Occupied Fields

If two same-colored pieces occupy one field, the player who caused this must move one piece away on their next turn.

Compensation (Religious Balance)

If two adjacent symbols in a doubly occupied field match, this creates a religious imbalance. To restore equilibrium:

• All stones (of any player) with that symbol connected orthogonally or diagonally to the doubly occupied field must be moved backward.
• The player responsible for the imbalance moves the affected stones:
• If on the first four rows, return them to their starting positions.
• If on the last four rows, move them three fields backward (orthogonally or diagonally) to an empty space. If blocked, move only two fields.

End of Game and Scoring

The game ends when a player has four stones in the destination row. The opponent then gets one additional turn to try to achieve the same. If successful, it's a draw; otherwise, the first player wins.

Tips to Win

• Plan ahead: Avoid creating doubly occupied fields unless you can handle the compensation consequences.
• Control the balance: Use symbol adjacency strategically to force opponents to move their pieces backward.
• Block wisely: Position your pieces to limit your opponent's movement options, especially near the destination row.