Setup
The board has 61 hexagonal positions. Each side starts with fourteen marbles in the standard 5–6–3 arrangement.
Abalone
Push six opposing marbles off a hexagonal board.
No one is playing yet0 waiting rooms
Moves and captures
Move one, two or three connected collinear marbles one step. Inline moves may push a smaller opposing group: 2v1, 3v1 or 3v2. Broadside moves require every destination to be empty.
Winning and draws
Eject six opposing marbles to win. An ejected marble never returns.
Special rules
Equal groups cannot push each other. A friendly marble behind the opposing group blocks a push. You cannot voluntarily move your own marble off the board.
Read the full guide
Board setup, special rules and winning conditions for Abalone.
Three inline marbles can push two opposing marbles when the next cell is empty or beyond the edge.
A quick guide to Abalone
Read the Abalone rulesWhat is Abalone?
Abalone is a two-player strategy game on a hexagonal board of 61 positions. Each side starts with 14 marbles. On a turn you move one, two or three marbles in a line by one step; a larger inline group can push a smaller opposing group, such as three against two. The first player to push six opposing marbles off the board wins.
How many marbles can push in Abalone?
Only a larger inline group can push a smaller one: two against one, three against one or three against two. Equal groups cannot push, a single marble never pushes, and a sideways (broadside) move cannot push at all.
Can you move your own marble off the board in Abalone?
No. Only your opponent can push your marbles off the edge; you cannot move one off yourself. A push is also blocked when one of your own marbles sits directly behind the opposing group. The first player to eject six opposing marbles wins.
How can I play with a friend?
Share one device for a local game, or choose the friend option above to create an online room and send its invitation. Online games need an internet connection. Local games are saved in this browser.
Play Abalone on one deviceWhich rules apply here?
Abalone. Read the setup, legal moves, special rules and end conditions before starting. The guide describes the variant used on ChessPlayX, including differences from other versions where relevant.
Read the Abalone rulesCan I play against AI?
Choose AI mode to practice at your own pace. Start with a lower difficulty while learning the moves, then increase it when you can spot threats and plan your replies.