The New Zealand Mu Torere Game.

• This game is played by the Maori of New Zealand. It is a game of strategy and skill played by two people.
• The board is constructed of a series of triangles organised into a star shape. Because of this, it is sometimes known as the star game.
• The board can be made of six or eight or even more triangles.
• The game can be played with a paper 'board' and counters, by drawing the board on the ground with chalk, or even at the beach by drawing the board in the sand. Of course, you will have to change the size of the markers you use.

You will need:

• A game board
• Two sets of markers (four each for each player).

To prepare for play:

• Choose a set of points to start from. Each set is indicated as either a triangle or a diamond. The 'guard' makers are those placed where the heavy lines are drawn.
• Each player puts a marker onto four of the points of the star.
• Every point should have a marker on it.
• You can't jump over a marker, you can only move sideways or into and out of the centre space.
• You can't have more than one marker on a space.

The goal:
To prevent your opponent from moving his/her markers.
Your strategy will be to block your opponent's markers by surrounding them and by having one of your markers in the centre space.

To begin:

• Decide who will be the first player to move.
• For the first move, each player can only choose one of the 'guard' markers.
• The first player chooses one marker to move to the centre of the star.
• The second player moves one of his/ her 'guard' markers to the space left empty at the point of a star by the first player.
• Players take turns in moving to an unoccupied space. This can be the centre of the star or at a point of the star.
• Play continues until one player is surrounded and unable to move any one of his/her markers.

Variations:

• To make the game simpler, a hexagram board can be used.
• To make the game more complex, the number of points on the star can be increased. Make sure that an even number is chosen.
• The two 'guard' markers for each player are always placed at the outside of the set of markers.