The game is unusual in that the players have sides or armies of differing numbers. The smaller army has 8 warriors and a King which is larger than the rest (yellow in this case). The larger army, of 16 warriors, is trying to capture the King by surrounding him on 4 sides like a cross + . The smaller side is trying to get the King to the edge of the board.

All pieces can move any distance in a straight line  that is not blocked by other pieces forwards, backwards or side to side but not diagonally.

The Central square is the throne that only the King may rest upon (others may cross it but not land on it).

A warrior may be captured and removed by catching it between 2 opposing counters O@O  but the King must be captured on all 4 sides.

When the player with the King has one route to the edge of the board they must declare it. If there are two or more routes the game is effectively over, like checkmate in chess.