Introduction:

Taugo (from Proto-Germanic: Taugô, meaning "string, rope") is a board game for two players: Black and White. It is played on the intersections (points) of an initially empty square board without the lines on the edges. The recommended board size is 16 points per side. Each player has access to a single set of 256 identical stones of two colors, one color on the front and another color on the back.

Definitions:

– A string is a set of same-colored stones connected orthogonally to each other. A single stone is also a string.
– A knot is a 2x2 area of same-colored stones. Formation of knots on strings is prohibited.
– To flip is replacing a stone with a stone of the opposite color.
– A cut point is an empty point adjacent orthogonally to a single stone in a set of stones arranged in a straight line within an enemy string, so that a friendly stone can only access that set by crossing it in a straight line.
– To cut is flipping enemy stones by passing through them in a straight line while accessing their cutting points. You can only cut enemy stones adjacent orthogonally to at least two same-colored stones.
– The value of a string is the number of stones it contains on the perimeter line according to the triangular score, which is calculated by summing the consecutive natural numbers from 1 to the number of stones it contains on the perimeter line.

Turns:

Black plays first, then players alternate. On your turn, perform one of the following actions:

– Place a stone of your color on an empty point not adjacent orthogonally to friendly stones.
– Place one or more stones of your color, each on empty points in a straight line adjacent orthogonally to a friendly stone, also being able to do so on enemy stones in the same direction to cut them if some of your newly placed stones occupy all their cut points.
– Pass your turn.

You cannot place a stone on the board edge unless the empty point on the edge becomes a cut point.

End of the game:

The game ends when both players pass their turn consecutively. At the end of the game, points are tallied by summing the value of all friendly groups, plus a half-point bonus to the player with the fewer number of strings. Additionally, additional points are awarded for each stone that was able to reach the edge of the board according to the triangular score, but without considering the strings they belong to.

—description from the designer