Pantareï

About this board game

Pantareï is a two-player abstract strategy game for a 10-minute contest to create a stack of seven pieces first. Each player controls nine pieces in their chosen color, while one neutral piece joins the shifting layout.

To begin, all pieces are shuffled with their markings hidden and placed in a wiggly, snake-like row. The markings are then revealed. One player chooses black or white, and the other player takes the first turn, setting the contest in motion.

On a turn, choose a stack you control, identified by having one of your pieces on top. You may move the topmost piece, or the top two pieces, left or right by a number of spaces equal to the number of markings on that piece. When movement creates gaps, squish the stacks together to form a shorter snake and change the available choices.

• Each player has three pieces marked 1, three marked 2, and three marked 3.
• One neutral piece can be landed on and becomes part of a stack.
• Instead of moving, swap two stacks that you control.
• A stack swap is not allowed if the opponent swapped stacks on their previous turn.

As the row contracts, the spaces and moves available to each player become increasingly limited. Every decision can alter which stacks you control and which options remain for the opponent, so aim to make your choices better than theirs.

In Pantareï, the winning condition is immediate: as soon as either player creates a stack containing seven pieces, that player wins. With its compact play time and steadily tightening board, it offers a focused head-to-head challenge built around movement, control, and careful timing.