CITADEL

Copyright (c) 2002 Thomas Gale

This game can be played on an empty Go board:


  • SETUP - Each player, on turns, place a citadel on an empty cell not on the edge not adjacent to the edge. Citadels cannot be adjacent to each other. The placement stops after 9 citadels are dropped. Then, players choose one citadel on each turn (second player starts choosing) to a total of 3 citadels for each (so 3 citadels are initially neutral). Each player places one of his warriors on top of each citadel he controls.
  • WALL STRENGTH - One plus the number of orthogonal adjacent walls.
  • WARRIOR STRENGTH - One plus the number of orthogonal adjacent friendly warriors. 
    • If the warrior is in a citadel it gets an extra point.
  • TURN - On each turn, each player has 1 credits for each controlled citadel. He may:
    • Build a wall on an empty square (i.e., place a piece between 4 empty cells) adjacent to a friendly warrior. (In the diagram, I will place four marked points to indicate there's a wall between them). Walls are neutral. Cost: 1 credit.
    • Destroy a wall - this can be done if the player has an orthogonal adjacent warrior with greater or equal strength. Cost 1 credit.
      • If the strengths are equal, the warrior is also destroyed.
    • Recruit new warrior - drop a warrior on an orthogonal adjacent empty cell by one of his citadels. Cost 2 credits.
      • The maximum number of warriors on board is 100.
    • Move warrior - move it to an orthogonal adjacent empty cell. Cost 1 credit per cell. Warriors cannot move to cells occupied by walls. If a warrior moves into a citadel, the player controls it (he can only use that extra credit next turn).
    • Capture warrior - Attack an orthogonal adjacent enemy warrior if its strength is greater or equal. If it's equal, both warriors are captured. Cost: 0 (zero) credits.
      • Note: All warriors used in a single attack, cannot make any more attacks that turn.
  • SIEGES - If a warrior or group of warriors are surrounded (i.e., have no liberties left), the attacker may capture two warriors each turn. 
    • If a citadel is surrounded, the player cannot recruit new warriors there or build walls adjacent to the surrounding group. 
  • GOAL - Wins the player that owns two more citadels than the opponent.
 
A possible setup

Blue has a bid advantage, since it is much nearer to two neutral citadels

An example

The red warrior placed a wall to protect his citadel from the south.

Blue can move b13-c13 and attack the red soldier with success (strength 2 vs. 1).