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Lines of Action
Lines of Action is an abstract strategy game invented by Claude Soucie and popularized by Sid Sackson in his 1969 book A Gamut of Games. Two players move pieces on a standard 8×8 board with one unusual goal: to gather all of their own pieces into a single connected group. Its movement rule, tied to how crowded each line is, makes it deeply tactical.
Lines of Action Rules
Black places twelve pieces along the top and bottom edges, White twelve along the left and right edges, leaving the corners empty. Black moves first. The objective is to connect all of your remaining pieces into one group, where pieces touching orthogonally or diagonally count as connected.
A piece moves in a straight line — horizontally, vertically, or diagonally — exactly as many squares as the total number of pieces (of either color) on that entire line. You may jump over your own pieces but not over enemy pieces, and you cannot land on your own piece.
You capture by landing on an enemy piece, removing it from the board. Captures help by reducing the pieces you must connect, but they also change line counts and can scatter your formation. The first player to connect all their pieces into one contiguous group wins; if a move simultaneously connects both players, the moving player wins.
Lines of Action Strategy & Tips
Count the line before you move
A piece moves exactly as far as the number of pieces on its line. Adding or removing a piece anywhere on a line changes every move along it, so always recount before committing.
Build toward the center
Pieces clustered near the middle are easier to connect from all directions. Avoid getting pieces stranded in corners or along the edges where they're hard to link up.
Capture to shrink your task
Every enemy piece you capture is one fewer piece to surround, and one fewer of your own that exists to connect. Trade captures when they tighten your group.
Watch your opponent's connection
Both players are racing to connect, and a single move can win. Block the opponent's final linking square and avoid moves that hand them a one-move connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the goal of Lines of Action?
To bring all of your own pieces together into a single connected group. Pieces count as connected if they touch horizontally, vertically, or diagonally — the first player to unite all their pieces wins.
How far does a piece move in Lines of Action?
Exactly as many squares as the total number of pieces, of both colors, standing on the line it travels along. A line with three pieces means a three-square move.
Can you jump over pieces?
You may jump over your own pieces, but you cannot jump over an enemy piece. You also cannot land on your own piece, though you can land on an enemy piece to capture it.
Who invented Lines of Action?
It was designed by Claude Soucie and brought to a wide audience by game designer Sid Sackson in his 1969 book A Gamut of Games.