HEXABOARD (Abalone)

GAME INFO

What is the objective of the game?

The game Hexaboard consists of an abstract strategy challenge inspired by the classic board game Abalone, where your goal is to push six of your opponent's marbles off the hexagonal board. Players control marbles of their own color and take turns. You can move one, two, or three of your own marbles simultaneously in any direction, provided the destination space is empty or you possess a numerical advantage (known as Sumito) to push the rival's pieces.

Recommended age and educational level

This game is recommended for children aged 8 and up (Elementary and Middle School), High School students, and adults. Due to its deep tactical and geometric nature, players must have the ability to anticipate moves and understand spatial perspective. It serves as an excellent resource for math teachers, chess coaches, therapists, and adults looking to keep their minds active through advanced logic and abstract problem-solving.

How to play: individual or multiplayer

Hexaboard features a local multiplayer mode for two players sharing the same device by alternating turns, as well as an individual mode against the computer with three difficulty levels. Although the standard format is competitive, it can be turned into a collaborative classroom activity by playing in teams of two against two, requiring team members to discuss and agree on each move before executing it.

What do you learn with this game? Learning and skills

Playing Hexaboard develops multiple cognitive and mathematical competencies, including:

Strategic thinking and anticipation: Planning mid- and long-term moves while constantly evaluating the opponent's potential responses.
Spatial geometry and orientation: Understanding lines of force, vectors, and displacements within a hexagonal grid.
Mathematical logic: Applying the rule of numerical superiority (three marbles push two or one; two marbles push one) to conquer board positioning.

Tips to get the most out of this game

To maximize the potential of Hexaboard, we highly recommend experimenting with the different initial board setups (such as Belgian Daisy, Fujiyama, or Alien Attack), as each completely changes the opening dynamics. As an educational unplugged resource, the game can be brought to paper by printing a blank hexagonal grid; students can design their own symmetrical starting layouts and solve specific tactical puzzles by finding the minimum number of moves required to eject a target marble.