Χάλμα

Halma is the predecessor to Chinese Checkers, invented in Victorian England around 1880. It's played on a 16x16 checkered board where players race their pieces from one corner to the opposite corner using steps or jumps.

Be the first to move all your pieces from your corner camp to the opposite corner camp.

On a 16x16 board, each player has 19 pieces arranged in a corner camp (a 5x5 triangle pattern). For 2 players, use diagonally opposite corners. For 4 players, each takes a corner.

1. Players take turns moving one piece.
2. A piece may step to any adjacent square (including diagonally) that is empty.
3. A piece may jump over an adjacent piece (yours or opponent's) to the empty square beyond.
4. Multiple jumps can be chained in a single turn.
5. Jumped pieces are not captured; they remain in play.
6. No backward restrictions - pieces can move in any direction.
7. You cannot block opponents from entering their destination camp.

First player to completely occupy the opposite corner camp wins. All 19 pieces must be positioned in the target area.

• *Create long chains of pieces to enable extended jump sequences.
• *The shortest path is diagonal - focus on diagonal advancement.
• *Keep your pieces connected rather than scattered.
• *Help your trailing pieces by leaving jump opportunities.
• *Don't leave pieces in opponent's destination camp (blocking is against good sportsmanship and may be illegal).
• *The center gives the most movement options - use it as a highway.

Halma was invented by American surgeon George Howard Monks around 1883-1884, named after the Greek word for 'jump.' It was a popular Victorian parlor game and inspired Chinese Checkers (Stern-Halma) in 1892.