Documentation copied from Ataxx 2.14.2.

1. Introduction

Ataxx is a two-player disc-flipping game like Iagno. Ataxx, however, begins at the corners, rather than at the center of the board, and has slightly different rules for adding and moving discs.

2. Playing Ataxx

Ataxx is played on a board with 49 squares arranged in a grid composed of seven rows and seven columns. Players attempt to fill the board with as many pieces of their own color as possible. The game ends when one player is unable to move a piece during a turn. Ataxx can be played against another person, or against a computer-controlled opponent. Ataxx can also be played by two computer-controlled players without user intervention.

2.1. 2.1. Basic usage

To play Ataxx:

• Choose Applications -> Games -> Ataxx or type gataxx on the command line.

To start a new game:

• Choose Game -> New Game.

To undo your last move:

• Choose Game -> Undo Move. If your perform this action during your own turn, your opponent's last move will also be reverted.

To quit Ataxx:

• Choose Game -> Quit.

To edit game preferences:

• Choose Settings -> Preferences.

2.2. 2.2 Rules

Each player controls pieces of a specific color. When an Ataxx game starts, one piece is set in each corner of the board. Each player starts with control of two pieces placed on opposite sides of the board. A player moves or adds one piece in each turn. The player that controls the light pieces goes first. Figure 1 shows the Ataxx board at the start of a new game.

Figure 1 Ataxx Main Window

To add a new piece, click a piece that you control and then click any adjacent square that does not already contain a piece. To move an existing piece, click a piece and then click on any empty square that is two squares away from the original position of the piece. When you click on a piece, a transparent marker will appear in each square to which you can move or add a piece. Figure 2 shows the available moves of a selected piece. You cannot remove a piece from the board, or move a piece to an occupied square.

Figure 2 Available Moves

To capture your opponent's pieces, move or add your your own pieces to squares that are adjacent to squares occupied by your opponent. When you capture a piece, its color changes to that of your own pieces, and it becomes yours to control.

2.3. 2.3 Strategy

To prevent your opponent from seizing control of your pieces, limit the number of pieces that you place around any given empty space. An L-shaped formation or an eight piece ring will enable the other player to take control of many pieces with a single move.

3. Customizing Ataxx

To change the application settings, choose Settings -> Preferences. This opens the Preferences dialog

3.1. 3.1 Players Preferences

Player settings can be customized with the options on the Players tab.

To allow a person to control the light pieces:

• Select the Human option in the Light section.

To give the computer control of the light pieces or change the difficulty level:

• Select one of the five difficulty levels in the Light section.

To allow a person to control the dark pieces:

• Select the Human option in the Dark section.

To give the computer control of the dark pieces or change the difficulty level:

• Select one of the five difficulty levels in the Dark section.

To make the computer controlled player move faster:

• Select the Quick Moves checkbox.

3.2. 3.2 Appearance Preferences

The appearance of the game can be customized with the options on the Appearance tab.

When the Animation checkbox is selected, the pieces will visually change when captured. The animation is different for each tile set.

To change the appearance of the pieces:

• Select a different style from the Tile Set drop-down list.

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