Kōnane

Jump and capture across a checkerboard of black and white stones — strand your opponent with no legal leap and the game is yours.

How to play

Kōnane begins with the board fully packed with alternating black and white stones. The only legal move is a capturing jump: hop one of your stones in a straight orthogonal line over an adjacent enemy into the empty cell beyond, removing the stone you cleared. The first player who cannot capture on their turn loses.

• Opening: Black removes one of its own stones, then White removes a stone next to that gap.
• Jump straight over an orthogonally adjacent enemy into the empty space behind it.
• Chain several jumps in one straight line by clicking a farther landing point — but never turn a corner mid-move.
• If you have no capture available on your turn, you lose.

Game modes

• vs Computer: three strengths — Easy, Medium, and Hard.
• Hot-seat: two players share one device, Black versus White.
• Online: create an invite, join with a code, or quick-match a live opponent.

Controls

• Desktop: click a highlighted stone to select it, then click a glowing landing cell to jump.
• Phone & tablet: tap the same way — tap a stone, then tap the highlighted destination.

Tips & strategy

• Hold a multi-jump in reserve; one long chain can swing the count late in the game.
• Count moves, not stones — you win by leaving the opponent stranded, so deny their last reply.
• Watch the parity of rows and columns; keeping a private capture available is worth more than a greedy grab.

Origins

Konane is a traditional Hawaiian game, sometimes called Hawaiian checkers, played by jumping and capturing stones on a pitted board — often dark lava pebbles against white coral. It was widely played in old Hawai'i, a game of skill enjoyed by commoners and chiefs alike, and was noted by some of the first European visitors to the islands.

About Kōnane

Kōnane is a traditional Hawaiian capture game in the same family as checkers and draughts. This is an original, free browser build with three computer difficulties, local two-player, and live online play — no download or sign-up required.

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