Dao (game)

Dao is a two-player abstract strategy board game, which won the Mensa Select award in 2001. It was invented by Ben VanBuskirk of Point Roberts, Washington, and Jeff Pickering of Monument, Oregon.

It comprises a 4x4 playing board with four playing pieces for each player. The aim of the game is to arrange pieces in certain winning formations before the opponent can. It is unique because any piece that is moving must move as far as it can.

There are four different ways to win the game: one is by forming a 2x2 square with your four pieces, by forming a straight vertical or horizontal line with your four pieces, placing your four pieces in all four corners, and by having one of your pieces cornered by three of the opponents pieces.

External links

• Berkeley page on rules
• Online playable version of Dao
• Commercial version
• Program which plays Dao perfectly
• Dao at BoardGameGeek