Tsoro Yematatu

How to play

A quick Shona game from Zimbabwe on a little seven-point board. Place your three pieces, then slide or jump along the lines. Win by lining up all three of your pieces on a straight line — or by jumping over an enemy piece to capture it and leave the AI unable to make its three.

Rules

  • First, place your three pieces one at a time onto the board’s seven points.
  • Once placed, tap one of your pieces, then a highlighted point to slide it one step, or jump straight over an adjacent piece to capture it.
  • Line up all three of your pieces on one of the five straight lines to win instantly.
  • You also win if the AI is ever reduced below three pieces with none left to place — it can never complete its own line.

Tips

The centre-mid point sits on three of the five lines, so grabbing it early gives you the most ways to win — and denies them to the AI. Watch for jumps: a piece sitting at the end of a line with an enemy in the middle and the far end empty can leap in to capture and win the game outright.