Four-field kono () is an

abstract strategy game An abstract strategy game is a type of strategy game that has minimal or no narrative theme, an outcome determined only by player choice (with minimal or no randomness), and in which each player has perfect information about the game. For example ...

from

Korea Korea is a peninsular region in East Asia consisting of the Korean Peninsula, Jeju Island, and smaller islands. Since the end of World War II in 1945, it has been politically Division of Korea, divided at or near the 38th parallel north, 3 ...

for two players. Each player attempts to capture the other player's pieces by jumping over their own piece and landing on the other player's piece. Although the game is often described as being medieval, this assertion does not seem to be backed by evidence. It has, however, been recorded as being played from the late 19th century onwards. There are additional Korean two-player kono games with similar names and equipment, including well kono () and

five-field kono Five-field kono (오밭고누) is a Korean abstract strategy game. A player wins by moving all of their pieces into the starting locations of their opponent's pieces. Rules The players take turns moving one of their pieces one square diagonally. ...

(), but the boards, gameplay, and objectives for each are different. Culin mentions the existence of a ''six-field kono'' but does not provide further details.

Goal

The goal of each player is to capture the other player's pieces and reduce it to one. This is because with only one piece, a player can no longer execute a capture. Another way to win is for a player to immobilize the other player's pieces so that they cannot move or capture.

Equipment

The board is a 4×4 square grid. There are 16 markers in total, divided into two equal sets of eight pieces each. Typically the game is played with eight black and eight white

marbles A marble is a small spherical object often made from glass, clay, steel, plastic, or agate. These toys can be used for a variety of games called marbles, as well being placed in marble runs or races, or created as a form of art. They are ofte ...

Gameplay

The game is played according to these rules. # Players decide what color marbles to play, and who goes first. # The board is completely filled with the 16 marbles in the beginning. Each player's marbles are set up on their half of the board. # Players alternate their turns throughout the game. # All moves (onto a vacant space or to capture) are orthogonal, not diagonal, i.e., along the lines of a square grid. Four-field Kono capture

# On their turn, the player may move one marble one space onto a vacant hole, or they may capture one of the other player's stones. # Since the board is filled up in the beginning and hence there are no vacant holes, the first move by the first player must be a capturing move. ::*A capturing move requires a player's marble to jump over one of their ''own'' adjacent marbles, landing on one of the opponent's marbles, which is then removed from the board and replaced with the player's marble. ::* Only one marble can be used to capture or move per turn. Multiple captures are not allowed. ::* Once a marble has captured one enemy marble, the turn is completed. ::* Captures are not compulsory.

References

External links

* {{cite web , url=http://www.gamesandpuzzles.co.uk/instructions/4kono.gif , archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004220629/http://www.gamesandpuzzles.co.uk/instructions/4kono.gif , archivedate=2011-10-04 , title=Four Field Kono , website=gamesandpuzzles.co.uk 19th-century board games Abstract strategy games Traditional board games Korean games