A sharp two-player abstract where every checker moves exactly as far as the pieces sharing its line, and the first player to connect all their pieces into a single group wins.
Lines of Action is played on an 8×8 board. One side starts with pieces along the top and bottom edges, the other down the left and right. Your goal is to join all of your own pieces into one connected group, touching horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
A piece moves in a straight line (across, up and down, or diagonally) exactly as many squares as there are pieces, yours and the opponent's, anywhere on that whole line. You may jump over your own pieces but not the opponent's, and landing on an enemy piece captures it.
Lines of Action is a modern abstract with a named designer — Claude Soucie — and enough standing among players that the Spiel des Jahres jury recommended it in 1988.
Its rules are unusually economical. Every piece moves exactly as many squares as there are pieces on the line it is travelling along — its own included — so the board constantly redefines how far anything can go.
The goal inverts the usual object of a war game. You are not trying to destroy the opponent but to gather your own pieces into one connected group, which means captures are a means rather than an end and thinning your own forces can help you win.
Lines of Action is a traditional connection-and-movement abstract whose distance-equals-line-count rule makes every move a small calculation. This is an original, free browser version with computer opponents, pass-and-play, and live online matches, no download or sign-up.