How to Play Konane
Kōnane was played by Hawaiians long before European contact, on boards carved into rock. It looks like checkers but has no plain moves: if you can't capture, you've lost.
The rules
- The 8×8 board starts full, black and white stones alternating.
- Black removes one of its stones from the centre or a corner. White then removes one of its own stones next to the gap.
- From then on a move is a jump: a stone leaps orthogonally over an adjacent enemy stone into the empty square beyond, capturing it. You may continue jumping in the same straight line in one move, but never turn.
- The player who cannot jump on their turn loses.
Playing on kawu
Tap one of your stones that can jump, then the landing square. In the opening, tap one of the highlighted stones to remove it. Play Black or White against the computer (three levels), or two players on one device. Hint marks the computer's move; the available-jump count for both sides is shown under the board.
Next, read the Konane strategy.
Frequently asked questions
Can I jump diagonally?
No. Jumps are only along rows and columns, over an adjacent enemy stone into the empty square directly beyond.
Must I take the longest jump?
No. A multi-jump may stop after any leg. You may not change direction within a move, and jumping is compulsory only in the sense that it's the only kind of move.
Can the game be drawn?
No. Stones only ever leave the board, so one side eventually has no jump and loses.
Last updated 2026-10-21