Lines of Action
Officially Lines of Action (LOA)
ABSTRACT STRATEGY BOARD GAME (1969) invented by CLAUDE SOUCIE. Played on 8×8 board with 12 black + 12 white pieces starting on the two long-edge rows. Objective: CONNECT ALL YOUR PIECES into ONE GROUP (adjacent orthogonally + diagonally). Movement rule: pieces move in a straight line by a distance equal to the NUMBER OF PIECES (own or opponent) on that line. Elegant + deeply strategic. Computer Olympiad favorite. Considered a classic combinatorial abstract by top game designers.
Quick facts
Category
Mind Sports
Type
Individual
Players
2–2
Duration
~45 min
Where played
indoor
Country of origin
🇺🇸 United States
Estimated origin
1969 Claude Soucie invention; recognized as fine abstract game 1980s+; Computer Olympiad category since 2000s
Olympic
No
Popularity
niche
How it works
Objective
Connect all your pieces into ONE group (adjacent orthogonally + diagonally).
Rules
Basic rules
Start: 12 black on top + bottom rows; 12 white on left + right columns
Signature starting position.
Move: piece moves in straight line by distance = TOTAL pieces on that line (both colors)
Signature counting movement rule.
Jump own pieces but stop on/capture opponent's piece
Movement + capture.
Cannot land on own piece; can capture opponent's piece by landing on it
Standard capture rule.
WIN: connect all your pieces into ONE group (adjacent by rook + bishop distance)
Signature connection win condition.
Scoring
First to connect all own pieces into one group wins.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| All own pieces connected (adjacent orthogonally + diagonally) | WIN |
| Reduce opponent below 2 pieces (can't split) | WIN |
| Both players connect on same move | Player who moved wins |
Win condition · Own pieces form single connected group.
Equipment
8×8 checkered board
Standard chess/checkers board
12 black + 12 white pieces
Checkers-style pieces
Terminology
- LOA
- Abbreviation for Lines of Action.
- Line
- Any horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line on the board.
- Connected Group
- All pieces adjacent (orthogonally + diagonally) form one group.
- Trapping
- Reducing opponent's mobility to lock down groups.
Where it is played
Frequently asked
Lines of Action vs other connection games?+
LOA is UNIQUELY DIFFERENT from most connection games (Havannah, Twixt, Hex) because pieces MOVE on the board rather than being permanently placed. This makes LOA more dynamic — mobility + timing matter as much as position. The 'MOVE DISTANCE EQUALS PIECES ON THAT LINE' rule creates elegant strategic tension: cluster pieces = fast-moving, spread pieces = slow-moving. Considered by many designers as one of the most elegant abstract games ever created.
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Lines of Action— Wikipedia