G I P F

D V O N N
T Z A A R

Z È R T Z

D V O N N

P Ü N C T

Y I N S H
Information about the GIPF project:
games, potentials, digital versions
and more.

© 2017 Rio Grande Games Author: Kris Burm Editor: Simon Hopp Manufacturer:
© 2017 HUCH! & friends 3D: Andreas Resch Made in Germany Hutter Trade GmbH + Co KG Contents................................................... 3
Design: Kris Burm, Bgm.-Landmann-Platz 1-5,
HUCH! & friends 89312 Günzburg, GERMANY Aim of the game...................................... 3
Kris Burm Basic rules................................................ 4
Distributor:
Warning! Choking hazard. Not suitable for
Rio Grande Games children under age of 3 due to small parts.
G I P F Standard rules......................................... 8
PO Box 1033
Placitas, NM 87043, USA
www.riograndegames.com
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D V O N N

G I P F
Do not get cut off!
The fourth game of the GIPF project. For 2 players.
T Z A A R
Build stacks, try to control

Z È R T Z your opponent’s pieces and,

above all, remain linked to
the red DVONN pieces.

D V O N N If you do not? Well, you may

suddenly see quite a few of your
pieces disappear from the board.

P Ü N C T
A CONTENTS
Be aware of everything your - 1 game board
- 23 white pieces
opponent does, but do not forget - 23 black pieces
- 3 red DVONN pieces
to watch your step, too. - 1 bag

Y I N S H
- this rulebook
If you do not? Well, you may be
B AIM OF THE GAME
forced to make moves you really Control as many pieces as possible by stacking
them on top of each other and try to keep your
do not want to make and, then, stacks linked to the red DVONN pieces. When no
more moves can be made, the player who controls
strange things can happen… the most pieces wins the game.

Tip: To make the pieces easier to pick up,

place them on the board with the “hollow”

G I P F side upwards.
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D V O N N D V O N N

B PREPARATION 3/ A single piece may move one space in any direction, 7/ A single DVONN piece may not be moved, but
1/ Draw lots to determine who begins. The starting but only to an occupied space (i.e. on top of another a piece or stack may move on top of it. When a
player takes 2 DVONN pieces and the 23 white piece or stack of any color). DVONN pieces is part of a stack, it is perfectly legal
pieces; the other player takes the remaining 4/ A stack must always be moved as a whole and moves to move the stack containing the DVONN piece–
DVONN piece and the 23 black pieces. as many spaces as there are pieces in the stack. Thus, but, as explained above, only by the player who
2/ Place the board horizontally between the players a stack of 3 pieces (regardless of their color) must controls the stack.
so that each player has 9 intersections on his side. be moved exactly 3 spaces. Just like a single piece, a 8/ You may not pass a turn, unless you cannot make
Intersections are called spaces. stack may be moved in any direction, but always in any more moves.
a straight line.
D THE FIRST PHASE: 5/ A move may never end in an empty space, but it F LOSING PIECES Diagram 4: the endgame. It is White’s turn. White has
PLACING PIECES is allowed to move across one or more empty 1/ Pieces and stacks must somehow remain in contact only one stack left to play with. Since he must make a move
1/ The game starts with an empty board. The players spaces. When making a move, each space must be with at least one DVONN piece to remain in play. he has no other choice than to play it, as a result of which
take turns placing their pieces on the spaces of the counted, no matter whether it is empty or occupied “In contact” means that there must always be a link the stacks marked with an “x” are out of the game…
board, one at a time. (see diagram 1). (directly or through a chain of other pieces) with at
least one DVONN piece. Each and every piece and/ 3/ All 3 DVONN pieces remain in play until the end
They must start with the DVONN pieces and or stack that is not linked to any of the DVONN of the game, even if one of them becomes isolated, as
after that continue with their own color: pieces, must be removed from the board at once. Be it will always remain in contact with itself.
White: first DVONN piece careful: it may happen that a great number of pieces
Black: second DVONN piece are suddenly removed as a result of one single move G END OF THE GAME
White: third DVONN piece (see diagram 3). 1/ The players must play for as long as they can do
Black: first black piece so. If one player can’t make a move any more, the
White: first white piece other must continue to play until he, too, has made
Black: second black piece his very last possible move. In the rare event that
… and so on… a player who must pass gets the opportunity
Diagram 1: the indicated stack may be moved 3 spaces to make a move again, he must do so. This can
2/ A piece may be put on any vacant space, without in the direction of the arrows. happen when one or more of his pieces are blocked
restriction. (i.e. completely surrounded).
3/ When all the pieces are placed on the board, all 6/ IMPORTANT: a piece or stack that is surrounded 2/ The game ends when the last move is made. At this
spaces will be occupied. This is the end of the first on all 6 sides may not be moved. So, at the point, each player puts all of the stacks he controls
phase. beginning of the game only the pieces at the edge on top of each other. The player with the highest
of the board may move. The pieces that are not Diagram 3: if White moves the indicated piece, the pieces stack wins the game, regardless of the color of the
E THE SECOND PHASE: positioned at the edge remain blocked for as long as on the left will no longer be in contact with a DVONN piece. pieces in his stack.
STACKING PIECES they remain completely surrounded (see diagram 2). They must be removed from the board. 3/ If both players end up with an equal stack, then
1/ IMPORTANT: the player who started the first phase the game ends in a tie. Note: if the stacks are
also starts the second phase! Thus, after White has 2/ All removed pieces go out of the game. It does not equally high or if the difference is only one piece,
put his last piece on the board, he must immediately matter who makes the move through which the then do count the pieces to be sure. As a result
play again. Then the players alternate turns. (As Black pieces and/or stacks become isolated. Watch out for of the manufacturing process of the pieces, their
is the first to put a piece of his own color on the board this, especially in the endgame. Since you may not thickness may differ slightly.
in the 1st phase, so now it is White who may first pass, you may be forced to make a move that isolates
move one of his pieces.) one or more of your own stacks (see diagram 4).
2/ Each turn a player must move one piece or one stack.
He may only move a piece or a stack of his own color.
When two or more pieces are stacked on top of each
other, the color of the topmost piece determines who Diagram 2: the pieces and stacks marked with an “x”
owns the stack, and thus which player may move it. are surrounded on all 6 sides and may not be moved.
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D V O N N D V O N N

H STRATEGIC TIPPS
1/ Phase 1: when placing the pieces on the board,
make sure that you put enough of them at the edge
and close to the DVONN pieces. Do not put too
many of your pieces close together.
2/ Phase 2: when making a move, you neutralize an
opponent’s piece each time you play on top of one.
A neutralized piece is like a piece that is captured
(it remains in play, indeed, nonetheless it is one
piece less for your opponent to play with).
3/ Try to keep as many of your pieces mobile. Keep in
mind that the higher a stack gets, the more difficult
it becomes to move.
4/ Be careful when your opponent is in control of a
DVONN piece. Check where he can go to with
the DVONN piece and how many of your pieces
will have to be removed if he moves it. If it is too
dangerous, then try to immobilize the stack by
making it higher.
5/ The last moves are very important. Often the player
with the most mobile pieces at the ending stage of
the game will eventually win. In other words: try to
make your opponent pass his turn before you must
do so yourself.

Have fun!

G I P F