Tempting: rush to C3
C3 offers many routes, but amber can immediately jump D3 → B3 over it. B3 is empty, so your only piece is captured and the position is lost.
Strategy & challenges
Think one move ahead.
Check your opponent's next jump, the connections you gain, and where a capture chain leaves you. These four examples make the habit easier.
Cyan circles: player 1 Amber diamonds: player 2Arrows show the described route.
01 / Check their reply
An empty point can still be a trap.
Cyan is on B2; amber is on D3. Both illustrated cyan moves are legal. Before choosing, picture the board after the move and ask whether amber has an empty point behind your piece.
Better here: move to B3
The move B2 → B3 leaves no adjacent cyan piece for amber to jump. This is a safer next move in this exact position, not a guarantee of the eventual result.
The habit: check opponent → your landing → empty point beyond. A line through all three is a warning. See the capture rule.
02 / Read the whole board
A capture elsewhere changes your options.
In this position, it is tempting to move the cyan piece on E1 to gain space. But the piece on A3 can capture B3, so ordinary moves are unavailable to the entire cyan side.
The correct first action is A3 → C3. Scan all your pieces for jumps before planning a quiet move. Do the same for your opponent: compulsory captures can make a reply predictable, but another available jump may give them a choice.
Do not assume a sacrifice is forced until you have checked every opposing piece. Here there is exactly one cyan capture; more crowded positions may have several.
03 / Value useful connections
The center creates options, not immunity.
Now cyan is on B3 and amber is far away on E1. There is no immediate capture to take. Compare a step toward the edge with a step onto C3.
Tempting: retreat to A3
The edge can be useful, but it limits directions. Here, moving to A3 gives cyan five immediate connections, with fewer ways to change direction.
More options: step to C3
C3 offers eight connections, including diagonals. That is more flexibility in this position; the first lesson shows why you must still check for a capture before entering it.
The habit: value safe access to connected points. Do not count every piece near the center as an advantage. Occupancy and mandatory captures can change which routes are usable. Review diagonal eligibility.
04 / Plan the full turn
Two legal jumps. Different destinations.
Cyan on C3 can capture left or right. Both first jumps are legal. To capture two pieces this turn, inspect the next landing before choosing the first jump.
Short route: C3 → A3
Capturing B3 is allowed. A3 has no follow-up jump, so the turn ends there. This route does not meet the two-capture challenge objective.
Longer route: C3 → E3 → E5
After capturing D3, the jump over E4 becomes mandatory. This route captures two pieces and ends at E5. Amber still has B3, so this is a completed tactic, not a completed match.
The habit: trace every required continuation and inspect the final landing. More captures can be attractive, but this example does not prove that the longest route is best in every position. Try the position yourself →
From the notebook to the board
Three positions. Your move.
These are fixed, curated challenges. Play cyan and meet the capture objective in one turn. You can retry any position or open its explanation below.
Challenge 01 · 1 capture
Find the required capture
Cyan to play. Jump the amber piece and finish the position in one capture.
Show the solution
B2 → D4 jumps over C3. Both diagonal connections exist, and D4 is empty. A capture is available, so an ordinary move is not allowed. This removes the last amber piece.
Challenge 02 · 3 captures
Follow the whole chain
Cyan to play. Remove all three amber pieces with the same piece in one turn.
Show the solution
A3 → C3 removes B3; C3 → E3 removes D3; E3 → E5 removes E4. The route turns after the second jump. Each new capture must be taken with the same piece before the turn can end.
Challenge 03 · 2 captures
Choose the better landing
Cyan to play. Two first jumps are legal. Find the route that captures two amber pieces this turn.
Show the solution
C3 → A3 captures B3 but has no follow-up. C3 → E3 captures D3, then E3 → E5 captures E4. Both first jumps are legal: Tahni requires a capture and any available continuation, but does not require choosing the longest possible route. The two-capture route meets this challenge's objective; one amber piece remains.
Before every turn
A four-step scan.
- Look for every available capture on your side. An ordinary move may not be allowed.
- Check whether the destination gives your opponent an immediate jump.
- Follow the entire capture chain and inspect the final landing.
- Keep useful connections open, then make your move.
Practice the scan against the AI or talk through a position with a friend on the same device. Character choice and Momentum do not change the tactics or the rules.