Mū Tōrere

How to play

A traditional blocking game of the Ngāti Porou people of Aotearoa New Zealand, played on an eight-pointed star. Each side has four pieces on the outer points; the centre pūtahi starts empty. There's no capturing — trap the AI so it has no legal move and you win.

Rules

  • Tap one of your orange pieces, then a highlighted point to slide it there.
  • You may only step into the centre pūtahi if that piece sits next to one of the AI's pieces.
  • The AI moves immediately after you, searching many moves ahead.
  • There are no captures — trap the AI so it has no legal move left to win.

Tips

The pūtahi (centre) is the most valuable point — whoever holds it has the most options. Keep your pieces spread so at least one always sits beside an AI piece, keeping your route into the centre open.