TwixT
CONNECTION BOARD GAME invented 1962 by ALEX RANDOLPH. Two players (Red/Black) alternate placing pegs on a 24×24 grid trying to connect their two opposite sides with a chain of KNIGHT-JUMP LINKS. Each peg becomes a potential link node; linked pegs form a fence. Signature: LINKS CANNOT CROSS opposing player's links. NO DRAWS in pure form (like Hex). Published by 3M Bookshelf Games; won SPIEL DES JAHRES nomination. Widely considered ONE OF THE FINEST CONNECTION GAMES ever designed alongside HEX + GO.
Quick facts
Category
Mind Sports
Type
Individual
Players
2–2
Duration
~45 min
Where played
indoor
Country of origin
🇺🇸 United States
Estimated origin
1962 Alex Randolph invention; 3M Bookshelf Games publication
Olympic
No
Popularity
niche
How it works
Objective
Connect your two colored sides with an unbroken chain of pegs linked by knight-jump links.
Rules
Basic rules
Alternate placing 1 peg per turn on any empty intersection (excluding opposing side's borders)
Standard placement.
PEGS AT KNIGHT-JUMP DISTANCE (2+1) can be LINKED — link auto-forms or player option
Signature knight-link rule.
LINKS CANNOT CROSS opposing links (blocking is core strategy)
Signature crossing rule.
Board excludes 4 CORNER squares (impossible to link corners)
Design rule.
First player advantage compensated by SWAP RULE (pie rule): P2 can swap after P1's opening
Balance rule.
WIN: create unbroken chain of your pegs (linked) from your side to your opposite side
Standard connection win.
Scoring
Connect your two sides with linked pegs; no draws.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Chain of linked pegs from side to side | WIN |
| Block all opposing paths | Advanced defensive win |
Win condition · Connect two opposing sides.
Equipment
TwixT 24×24 pegboard with 4 border sides marked Red/Black
Signature 24×24 grid
Red + Black pegs + link bridges
Player pieces
Terminology
- Peg
- Player piece placed on intersection.
- Link
- Connection between 2 pegs at knight-jump distance.
- Knight-jump
- L-shaped distance of 2+1 (like chess knight) between pegs.
- Crossing
- Links cannot cross opposing links — blocking mechanic.
- Alex Randolph
- American game designer (1922-2004), TwixT + other classics.
Where it is played
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Alex Randolph (inventor)
- Multiple Board Game Arena TwixT champions
- Various online + club champions
Frequently asked
TwixT vs Hex — differences?+
Both are CONNECTION GAMES with NO DRAWS. HEX (Piet Hein / John Nash 1942): stones on HEX GRID, adjacent connections. TwixT (Alex Randolph 1962): pegs on SQUARE GRID with KNIGHT-JUMP links; links CAN BE BLOCKED by crossing. Hex has simpler rules but deeper mathematical analysis. TwixT has richer tactics due to the crossing rule + longer link distance. Both are considered CLASSICS of pure abstract strategy.
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — TwixT— Wikipedia