The game is played on a chessboard, between two teams of five (5) pawns.

In addition, there are three "balls" represented on the board, each of which may either exist in a square by itself or may co-exist with a single pawn (in which case that pawn is considered to be "carrying" that ball).

To start the game, place the three balls on the center line of the board, so that each is on the vertex of four squares, as shown below:

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This is the only time during which a ball is not located in a specific square. A ball in its starting position MUST be "picked up" by the first pawn to enter a square to which it is adjacent.

Then, each player places his five pawns along the back row on his side of the board. Finally, each player rolls three d6s; the player with the lower total acts first. Re-roll ties.

During a turn, a player uses each of the rolled dice to perform an action with one of his pawns:

MOVE: The pawn may be moved any number of squares (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) up to the number rolled on one of the dice. A pawn may never cross the center line into opposing "territory". Once a pawn moves into a square occupied by a ball, it is considered to be carrying the ball, and the ball will move with the pawn until it is either passed or thrown (see below).

PASS: A pawn with a ball may elect to pass it to a teammate. To do so, the teammate must be within a number of squares equal to or less than the number rolled on one of the dice.* The ball is then moved to the new pawn's square. (Passing is probably irrelevant to the basic game -- it will only become tactically useful once pawns are given different abilities.)

THROW: A pawn with a ball may throw it at an opponent. Again, the target of the throw must be within a number of squares equal to or less than the number rolled on one of the dice.* The opponent then declares whether the targeted pawn will attempt to catch or dodge the throw. Then, each player rolls one die:

1. If the throwing player's roll is higher, the targeted pawn is "out" (removed from the game), and the ball is placed into the square vacated by that pawn.

2. If the throwing player's roll is lower, and the target was dodging, the throw has missed, and the ball is placed into any empty square adjacent to the targeted pawn (targeted player's choice).

3. If the throwing player's roll is lower, and the target was attempting to catch the throw, the throwing pawn is "out" (removed from the game), and the ball is placed into the square occupied by the targeted pawn.

4. If the rolls are equal, and the target was dodging, treat as a missed throw (#2). If the rolls are equal, and the target was catching, treat as a successful throw (#1).

*When determining distances, count along the shortest path between the two players. Diagonal distances are counted the same as orthagonal ones.

Whenever a die is used to perform an action, it is considered "spent" and cannot be used for another action (i.e., a player may only perform three actions per turn).

Once all three dice have been used to perform actions, the acting player rerolls his dice, and then play passes to the opponent. (Thus, a player -- and his opponent -- will always know during his opponent's turn what dice he will have to use during his next turn.)

The game ends when all of the pawns on one team have been put "out".