Onitama

About this board game

Onitama is a two-player abstract game of perfect information that plays in about 20 minutes. On a 5×5 board, each player commands five pawns, including a main pawn positioned in the middle of their side.

Every game begins with a random starting set-up of movement cards. Each player has two open cards, and each card shows a possible move that can be used by any of their pieces. A fifth card remains between the players and is unavailable until it enters play.

On your turn, choose one of your two cards and move one of your pieces according to its displayed movement. Then exchange the card you used with the fifth card. Your opponent takes their turn using the same process, taking the card you just played as the new available card.

• Two players
• Five pawns per player on a 5×5 board
• Two open movement cards for each player
• A shared fifth card that moves between players
• Captures and two different ways to win

Moving onto a space occupied by an opponent’s pawn removes that pawn from the game. Every move therefore changes the available options while also affecting the pieces remaining on the board.

Win by capturing your opponent’s main pawn, or by moving your own main pawn into the starting space of the opposing main pawn. With its changing card supply and fully visible information, Onitama creates a concise contest where each turn combines movement, capture, and the timing of future options.