Brainstonz

Object of the Game

Be the first player to fill a row, column, or diagonal with 4 stones.

Setting Up the Game

First select the options on the right-hand side of the screen. Below is an explanation of the controls:

Type
Select the type of player. A player can be a human or a computer. You can play against a friend or the computer. You can even watch the computer play itself!
Skill
If this player's type is "Computer," this option sets the skill level of the computer's Artificial Intelligence. (Don't be disappointed if you cannot beat the computer at the hardest setting—it's impossible!)
Animation Speed
When the computer takes its turn, there is a pause between moves so that you can see what it's doing. This option allows you to control the length of the pause. The fastest setting will skip showing the computer's turn entirely.
Help
Displays explanation of game rules and options.
About
Displays program title and version information.
StartGame/NewGame
Starts a new game after options are set, or, if a game is in progress, cancels the current game and allows you to enter options for a new game.

How to Play

Black is the first player to take a turn.

The very first turn consists of only one move. Player 1 (black) gets to place a stone anywhere on the board.

For the next turn, Player 2 (white) gets to place 2 stones on the board. If Player 2 completes a pair of symbols, he/she can remove Player 1's stone from the board.

All subsequent turns are like Player 2's first turn and follow this pattern:

  1. The current player places a stone on the board.
  2. If the symbol on the board position just played matches a symbol under any of the current player's other stones, he/she must immediately remove a stone from the other player.
  3. The current player places a second stone on the board.
  4. If the current player completes a second pair of symbols, he/she removes another stone from the other player.

The game ends when either: