Dara Strategy: 5 Tips
Dara is won by setting up repeatable threes. Rules first? See how to play.
1. Place in pairs
Two adjacent pieces with an empty square at one end become a three with a single step later. Scatter several pairs; avoid completing threes during placement, since they earn nothing yet and tell your opponent where to block.
2. Build a mill
A three whose end piece can step away and back captures every two moves. Protect the empty square with pieces of your own so no enemy can slip in.
3. Deny threes
When the opponent has a pair with an open end, occupy that end or sit a piece where it would need to move from. One blocking piece can neutralise several threats.
4. Remove the right piece
Take the piece that is about to complete a three, or the one that guards an enemy mill. Material matters less than tempo until the endgame.
5. Mobility
A side with pieces that can't move loses instantly. Keep spare squares around your groups, and crowd the opponent's pieces against the edge.
The hard computer searches four plies counting pieces, open pairs and mobility; normal two; easy completes a three when it can and otherwise plays at random.
Frequently asked questions
What is the strongest formation in Dara?
A three you can open and close by moving one end piece back and forth, with the empty square protected so the opponent can't block it. Each close captures a piece; two such formations are usually decisive.
Last updated 2026-10-21