The Rules
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THE GAME
Look and feel same as original

PLAY

The Origin of The Game of 20
We keep it simple

The game is playable on all platforms.
It helps you understand and follow the ancient rules, giving you a glimpse of how it might have been played 4,700 years ago. This is the oldest known version, possibly the origin, of the game of twenty. It features complete sets, with each player controlling 12 pieces that race and fight across 12 spaces. We don't offer customized versions; the aim is to help you learn and become familiar with the rules.

Version 3.5
Enhanced AI, improved user interface, added a new Skilled difficulty level, added snake sounds to the game, and composed official music for the game by Zoe Wynns

NORMAL | Learning
Play against the AI, which presents a solid challenge without being overly difficult. It’s a slightly balanced experience, best for learning, and the dice can be a bit in your favor. Once you master and understand the strategy, you can move to skilled mode.

SKILLED | Advanced
This mode will skill you up a bit. AI will play more strategically in this mode. We believe this is the best and most reasonable challenge, and it's enjoyable. The best advice: act fast!

CHALLENGE | Frustrating
The AI ramps up its tactics in this mode. It will plan ahead, adapt, and do whatever it takes to avoid defeat (including the dice challenge). However, victory is still possible if you plan carefully, set your strategy wisely, and take calculated risks.
Good luck, and remember: victory favors the prepared!

Original Stands	Challenge
This is how the pieces were placed on the board in ancient times. While they were likely not originally upright, we arranged them in that position, and they now stand proudly	A player could win in challenge mode. TIP : Move your blockers, and of course, you need some luck.

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The Pieces
Each piece has its own meaning. Remind you of chess?

Main | 20x Runner
Only move forward	Can Only capture Main	Compulsory move

Blockers | 2x Ideal for capturing
Only Active when roll number 3	Can Only capture Main	Optional move

Blockers | 2x Ideal for blocking
Only Active when roll number 3	Can Only capture Main	Limited optional move

Safe | 3x
Main are safe	Get Extra throw	Fixed position

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Scholarly Rulesets
Complex to look at, but easy to play

Once we understand and analyse the full game set, along with the meaning of each piece and the supporting historical evidence, we can begin to introduce the first plausible ancient rules among several possible interpretations. These rules should make the game playable, engaging, and easy to follow, while still aligning with what we know from history. After all, we are talking about a game from 4,700 years ago. At the same time, we know that this variant features unique pieces and is not a simple race game compared to other ancient board games. We are looking at a phenomenal board game that remained unknown for half a century, and it is already beginning to reshape the history of board games.

In 1952, H. J. R. Murray, in A History of Board Games Other Than Chess, noted that very early games typically featured simple orthogonal movements, often limited to a single step. These early games usually used identical pieces of equal value, played on a variety of board shapes. Based on this, we can assume that most ancient board games were generally simple, with limited movement. Diagonal movement, for example, may not have been commonly used. However, the Shahr-i Sokhta board game stands out. It is not an ordinary board game from the ancient world. It features 27 geometric pieces played on a circular board, unlike the more common square-shaped boards. At the same time, it is still the same kind of game at heart, simple in concept but offering depth through strategy and design.

The Orthogonal and Diagonal Movement
We cannot say for certain that all ancient board games used only orthogonal movement. There were no universal rules for how pieces moved. Different variants existed, and the possibility that some games allowed diagonal movement is just as high as those that used orthogonal movement. However, all movements likely remained simple and were limited to a single step.

In 1892, Edward Falkener introduced diagonal movement to Ludus Latrunculorum. Decades later, in 1960, R. C. Bell suggested adding diagonal movement to the ancient game of Alquerque in Board and Table Games from Many Civilizations.

Introducing diagonal movement in the Shahr-I Sokhta board game, especially with its variety of pieces, is historically plausible and makes the gameplay more dynamic and easier to follow.

The Special Number and Decision Making
Historical evidence suggests that in some ancient games, certain pieces could only move when a special throw was made. To keep things simple, the same special throw can be used for both blocker pieces in this game. This adds a layer of strategy without overcomplicating the rules. Allowing a special number to trigger movement and letting the player decide which piece to move makes the game more strategic, more enjoyable, and still easy to play.

Position of the Blockers
The most logical way to set up the blocker pieces is at the starting area of the board, with each piece facing its opponent, similar to the setup in chess. The limited movement of these pieces gives players the opportunity to strategically delay the opponent's progress. With the addition of diagonal movement and the special throw mechanic, players gain more options and can plan more carefully how and when to move their pieces, all within a simple and accessible gameplay format.

Race Strategy
We know that this game is primarily a race strategy game, but it also contains elements of warfare. The overall structure and gameplay are reminiscent of Backgammon, Ludo, Snakes and Ladders, and Chess. It was likely this game that evolved over time into many of the classic board games we know today. Its combination of movement, strategy, and confrontation marks it as a foundational ancestor in the history of board gaming.

Upright or Flat
Originally, the game pieces were placed flat on the board, even though they were wide enough to stand upright. In the digital version of the game, we display them standing upright to present the pieces with pride and to highlight their unique design.

Time
It’s important to consider the game's length. Based on what we know, these ancient games typically lasted less than an hour. On average, the game should take no more than 30 minutes.

Start & Finish
With the Shahr-i Sokhta board game, we can be fairly certain that the start and finishing points are the head and tail ends of the board. Players have twelve pieces and twelve spaces to compete over.

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The Rules In Summary

You need to make smart moves in this game, but you don't have to rush. The game will teach you how to play as you go. The goal is to navigate all your 10 pieces around and off the board before your opponent and get all your pieces to the finish line to win. You move your pieces along the board, rolling a four sided rectangular die to decide how far you go. You can kick out your opponent's pieces, if you land on a special space/rosette, your piece is safe and you get an extra throw. Unlike the royal game of Ur version, you have two extra pieces that can block your opponent's moves. They become active when you roll a three. The best way to understand the rules is to play them yourself.

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