ROYAL GAME OF UR

The Objective

Move all seven of your pieces across the board and off into the abyss before your opponent manages to do the same.

The Dice

You throw four tetrahedral (pyramid-shaped) dice. Count the marked tips pointing up. You move 0 to 4 spaces. Rolling a zero means your turn is instantly over and you do absolutely nothing.

The Path

• Safety: You start on your side's short arm (four squares). Only your pieces can be here.
• The War Zone: You turn the corner and march down the eight-square middle lane. Your opponent is also using this lane, moving in the exact same direction.
• The Exit: You loop back into your side's long arm (two squares) to head for the exit.

Combat

You can only have one of your own pieces on a square at a time. If you land exactly on a square occupied by your opponent in the middle lane, you kick their piece completely off the board. They have to start that piece over from scratch.

The Rosettes (Star Squares)

There are five squares marked with flowers.

• Free Turns: Landing on any rosette instantly grants you a free extra roll.
• Invincibility: If you are sitting on the single rosette located in the middle lane, you are entirely immune to being knocked off. Your opponent cannot land on that square while you are occupying it.

Bearing Off

You must roll the exact number required to leave the board. If you need a two to exit and you roll a three, that piece is stuck and you have to move something else—or pass your turn if you have no other legal moves.