How to Play Fox and Hounds
Fox and Hounds is a chase played on the dark squares of a chessboard, a cousin of the old Fox and Geese games.
The rules
- Four hounds start on the dark squares of the top edge; the fox starts on a dark square of the bottom edge. The fox moves first.
- The fox moves one square diagonally in any direction.
- A hound moves one square diagonally forward (down the board) only.
- Nothing is captured and pieces never jump.
- The fox wins by reaching the top edge (behind the hounds), or if the hounds have no move. The hounds win by trapping the fox so it can't move.
On kawu
- Play the fox or the hounds against the computer at three levels, two players on one device, or online.
- Tap a piece, then a highlighted square (the fox is selected automatically).
Frequently asked questions
Can the hounds capture the fox?
No. Nothing is ever captured. The hounds win by surrounding the fox so it has no legal move.
Who wins with perfect play?
The hounds, if they keep an unbroken line and advance together. The fox wins when a hound steps out of line and leaves a gap.
Last updated 2026-10-20