Catchup

About this board game

Catchup is a two-player abstract strategy game released in 2010, with each game taking about 13 minutes. Players compete to create the largest connected group of their own stones when the board is completely full.

White begins by placing one stone on any empty space. After that, players alternate turns, with Black moving first in the alternating sequence. A normal turn allows a player to place one or two stones, but the game’s distinctive catch-up rule can open a more powerful option.

• Place one or two stones on your turn.
• Place up to three stones if your opponent’s score increased on their previous turn and is, at the beginning of your turn, at least as large as your score.
• After your turn, move your pawn on the scoring track if your score changed.

A group is a set of connected stones in the same color, including a single stone. Your score is the number of stones in your largest group, so every placement can affect both your position on the board and the balance of power between the players.

That interaction gives Catchup its devilish dynamic. Growing your leading group brings you closer to victory, but it may also give your opponent access to an extra placement. Success depends not only on where stones go, but also on when your score changes and how that change affects the next turn.

The game ends as soon as the board is full. The player with the largest group wins; if the largest groups are tied, compare the second-largest groups, then continue through the groups until one player has the larger group.