Here is a board game where nothing ever gets captured, yet the board keeps shrinking. Each turn burns one more square, and slowly the open space turns into small pockets. The player who runs out of room first loses.
Game of the Amazons unblocked is played on a 10x10 grid with four amazons per side. This version comes from Christopher Müller's PaperGames set. You can face the computer on Easy, Medium or Hard, or pass one device back and forth with a friend.
How to play Game of the Amazons
Player 1 goes first. Every turn has two steps. First slide one of your amazons any number of squares in a straight line, sideways, up and down or on a diagonal, the way a chess queen moves. It cannot hop over other amazons or burned squares.
Next, that same amazon shoots an arrow from where it now stands. The arrow travels like the amazon did, and the square it lands on stays scorched until the game ends. It can even hit the square the amazon just left. The game marks legal moves and arrow targets as you go.
You lose when your turn comes and none of your amazons can move. A line under the board counts the squares each side can still reach, which is a handy guide to who is winning.
Controls
| To… | Keyboard | Mouse | Touch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Make a move | Arrow keys and Enter to pick an amazon, its new square, then the arrow square | Click an amazon, then its destination, then the square to shoot at | Tap an amazon, then its destination, then the square to shoot at |
| Start a game against the computer | — | Click "vs Computer", pick Player 1 or 2 and a level, then click "New game" | Tap "vs Computer", pick Player 1 or 2 and a level, then tap "New game" |
| Play a friend on one screen | — | Click "2 Player (local)" | Tap "2 Player (local)" |
| Take back a move | — | Click "Undo" | Tap "Undo" |
| Give up the current game | — | Click "Resign" | Tap "Resign" |
Tips
- Head for space. Early on, move toward the biggest open areas before walls start to form.
- Shoot to fence, not to block one square. A good arrow can cut a rival amazon off from a whole region.
- Keep every amazon free. One amazon stuck in a tiny pocket is close to playing with three.
- Watch the reach counter. If your number falls faster than your opponent's, rethink your plan.
- Seal regions late. Near the end, close off areas where you own more empty squares than the other side.
Game of the Amazons questions
Can amazons capture each other?
No. Pieces never leave the board. You win only by leaving your opponent with no legal move, using burned squares, amazons and the board edge as walls.
Why does the Hard computer think for a while?
A single turn can have over a thousand move-and-arrow combos. Hard looks two turns ahead at its most promising options within a short time limit.
Is there a two-player mode?
Yes. Choose 2 Player (local) and take turns on the same screen. Undo and Resign work in both modes.
What happens if I close the page mid-game?
Your game in progress is saved in the browser and comes back when you return on the same device.
