Sumo is a great game that can be played using the original Cequis game board and pieces. It’s a lot easier to learn than the Cequis main game, and is more approachable for those who aren’t even big strategy game board fans. This is also a great game variation that kids enjoy playing too.
Board Setup
Sumo is played with two players. Each player takes a colour group of 3 they’d like to use, such as three clear blue pieces for one team, and three solid blue pieces for the other. One player places their pieces on C4, D3, and E4, and the other player puts their pieces on C5, D5, E5 (coordinates can be seen on the free board). This creates a circle in the middle of the board. Now place a single piece from the left over pieces in the middle of the circle on D4 as the Objective Piece. You’re now ready to begin game play.
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Piece Movement
Basic movement is the same as the Cequis main game. Groups of two or three are moved together as a team, and single pieces within the group can move around as they like to break the group apart or change the shape of it. Sequences can also be used. A Sequence is where a single piece from a group can be used to take over an occupied hexagon.
Sequences:
Happen in a straight line
The group that initiates the sequence must be a group of the same number and original pieces before and after the sequence.
The hexagon behind the piece being sequenced must be empty and on the board to allow for that piece to be moved back to it.
Mastering sequences is essential to being good at Sumo as it’s the only way to move the Objective Piece around on the board. The Objective Piece can’t be sequenced by a single piece. However, when creating a sequence to move it, it’s considered to be weightless, allowing opponent’s pieces to be sequenced through the Objective Piece. For example, if in a straight line there is Clear Blue, which is part of a group, the Objective Piece and a Solid Blue, the Clear Blue can sequence the Objective Piece, which will sequence the Solid Blue piece back one hexagon. If this same setup were Clear Blue, Solid Blue, and Objective Piece, then Clear Blue could sequence Solid Blue, which would sequence the Objective Piece back one piece.
Objective
The objective of Sumo is to initiate a sequence that pushes the Objective Piece off of the hexagon grid. Even if the player’s piece sequences an opponent’s piece that pushes the Objective Piece off the grid, the player still wins because they started the sequence.
Three Player