Breakthrough

About Breakthrough

Breakthrough is the modern classic of pure forward pressure, played against the Reeve on an eight-by-eight board. Two ranks of pawns each, no dice and no draws: the first pawn to reach the far rank wins on the spot. Play solo or live at the open tables, free in your browser, no ads, no sign-up.

How to play

Every move is forward: one square straight into an empty cell, or one square diagonally — and only the diagonal captures. Nothing jumps, nothing promotes, nothing retreats. Reach the far rank with any pawn, or take every enemy pawn, and the race is won. Because no move can ever be repeated, the game only marches.

Controls

• Tap or click a pawnPick it up
• Tap a marked squareMarch or capture

Tips

Defend in pairs so every landing square is answered twice, and never trade off the defenders in front of an enemy runner. Count the races: a pawn two steps from home outweighs any material, and a two-on-one file on the flank usually forces its way through.