Konane (Dames Hawaïennes)

Konane is an ancient Hawaiian game often called Hawaiian Checkers. Unlike most checkers variants, the board starts completely full, and players capture by jumping. The player who cannot move loses - a last-move-loses structure.

Be the last player able to make a move. When you cannot jump, you lose.

The game is played on an 8x8 board (modern) or various traditional sizes. Every square is filled with alternating black and white stones. Black removes one stone from the center or a corner, then White removes an adjacent stone.

1. After the initial removals, players take turns jumping.
2. Black moves first (after the initial piece removals).
3. Pieces can only move by jumping orthogonally (horizontally or vertically) over an adjacent enemy piece to the empty square beyond.
4. The jumped piece is captured and removed from the board.
5. Multiple jumps in the same direction are allowed in a single turn if available.
6. You cannot change direction during a multi-jump sequence.
7. If you cannot make any jump, you lose the game immediately.
8. Pieces never move without capturing.

Win by making the last legal move. When your opponent has no jumping moves available, they lose.

• *Plan several moves ahead - the board state changes rapidly.
• *Try to create positions where you have more jumping options than your opponent.
• *Be careful with multi-jumps - they might leave you with no future moves.
• *Control areas of the board where you can force favorable exchanges.
• *Look for positions that give you moves while restricting your opponent.
• *The endgame requires precise calculation - count the remaining moves for both sides.
• *Early captures aren't always best - consider the resulting position.

Konane was played by Hawaiian royalty and commoners for centuries before Western contact. Games could have significant stakes, and the game was banned by missionaries in the 19th century but survived among Hawaiian communities.