Fox and Hounds Strategy

Playing the hounds

• Keep the line. Four hounds across two adjacent rows, each guarding the squares in front of its neighbours, form a wall the fox can't pass.
• Advance the far hound. Move the hound farthest from the fox, so the line stays level.
• Use the opposition. When the fox faces the line, try to make it the fox's move with no safe square: that's when the net closes.
• Don't be tempted. A hound that runs forward to "cut off" the fox leaves a hole behind it.

Playing the fox

• Wait. The hounds must move every turn and can't go back. Shuffle in place and let them come; every move they make can create a gap.
• Probe both sides. Threaten to run past on the left and the right. A hound that moves to stop one threat may open the other.
• Count tempo. If the hounds are forced to break the line because they've run out of safe moves, the fox slips through.

Last updated 2026-10-20