Ludus Latrunculorum
(Latrunculi)
Ruleset:
Tournament Rules
Game
See the game Ludus Latrunculorum for more details.
Summary
Rules for the 2026-2027 GameTable Tournament
Description
These rules are an approximation of the rules for Ludus Latrunculorum according to what we know from the archaeological and textual evidence that have been adapted for a tournament setting.
Ludii does not have a timer function, so for the thirty minute limit, you will have to keep track of the time yourself.
Rules
Components
8x6 board
Two sets of pieces, 12 per player. You can use anything that fits in the squares: checkers, go pieces, coins, bottle tops, stones. A player’s pieces must be different from their opponent’s.
Setup – Placement Phase
The board starts empty.
Players take turns placing their pieces onto the board, one piece per turn.
No captures are made during the placement phase.
Once all pieces have been placed, the movement phase begins.
Movement
Pieces move in a straight line across any distance of empty squares (horizontally or vertically). If you are familiar with chess, this is the same movement as the rook/castle.
Capturing
To capture your opponent’s piece, surround it on two opposite sides (vertically or horizontally) with your pieces.
You can capture a piece in the corner of the board by surrounding it on one vertical and one horizontal side.
When a piece is captured, it is taken off the board.
Finishing the Game
Reduce your opponent to one piece to win.
If the game has not finished in 30 minutes, the player with the most pieces remaining wins.
FAQs
Can I jump over pieces?
No, you can neither jump over your own nor your opponent’s pieces.
Can multiple pieces occupy the same square?
No, only one piece can be on a square at one time.
Can I make multiple captures in one turn?
Yes.
Can I move into a space between two of my opponent’s pieces?
Yes, and this does not result in your piece being captured by the opponent.
Concepts
Browse all concepts for Tournament Rules here.
Other Rulesets
Scholarly rulesets
Schädler 1994
Proposed by Ulrich Schädler in 1994.
Schädler 2001
Rules proposed by Ulrich Schädler in 2001.
Locus Ludi Seneca
Proposed by the Locus Ludi Project.
Locus Ludi Piso
Rules proposed by the Locus Ludi Project.
Suggested rulesets
Museum Quintana
Suggested by the Museum Quintana.
Falkener
Suggested by E. Falkener.
Kowalski 10x11
Played on a 10x11 board suggested by W. Kowalski.
Kowalski 8x12
Played on an 8x12 board suggested by W. Kowalski.
Bell 8x7
Played on an 8x7 board as suggested by R. C. Bell.
Bell 8x8
Played on an 8x8 board as suggested by R. C. Bell.
6x6 (Seega Rules)
6x6 board with Seega rules.
6x6 (Kharebga Rules)
6x6 board with Kharebga rules.
6x7 (Seega Rules)
6x7 board with Seega rules.
6x7 (Kharebga Rules)
6x7 board with Kharebga rules.
6x8 (Seega Rules)
6x8 board with Seega rules.
6x8 (Kharebga Rules)
6x8 board with Kharebga rules.
7x8 (Seega Rules)
7x8 board with Seega rules.
7x8 (Kharebga Rules)
7x8 board with Kharebga rules.
8x8 (Seega Rules)
8x8 board with Seega rules.
8x8 (Kharebga Rules)
8x8 board with Kharebga rules.
8x9 (Seega Rules)
8x9 board with Seega rules.
8x9 (Kharebga Rules)
8x9 board with Kharebga rules.
10x10 (Seega Rules)
10x10 board with Seega rules.
10x10 (Kharebga Rules)
10x10 board with Kharebga rules.
11x16 (Seega Rules)
11x16 board with Seega rules.
11x16 (Kharebga Rules)
11x16 board with Kharebga rules.
9x10 (Seega Rules)
9x10 board with Seega rules.
9x10 (Kharebga Rules)
9x10 board with Kharebga rules.
11x12 (Seega Rules)
Seega on an 11x12 board.
11x12 (Kharebga Rules)
Kharebga rules on an 11x12 board.
Identifiers
DLP.GameRulesets.4397
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