# Baghchal Online (baghchal.xyz)

> Baghchal (Nepali: बाघचाल, meaning "Move of the Tigers") is a traditional two-player asymmetric strategy board game originating from the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal.

## Core Game Overview
- **Type:** Asymmetric Abstract Strategy Board Game
- **Grid:** 5x5 grid with 25 intersection points connected by lines (including diagonals across inner 3x3 grids)
- **Teams:** 
  - **Tigers (4 pieces):** Start placed at the 4 corner points. Objective is to capture 5 goats by jumping over them onto vacant points along straight grid lines.
  - **Goats (20 pieces):** Start off the board. Objective is to trap all 4 tigers so they have 0 valid moves remaining.
- **Phases of Play:**
  - **Phase 1 (Placement):** Goat player places 1 goat per turn on any vacant point. Goats cannot move during Phase 1. Tigers can move 1 space or jump to capture goats.
  - **Phase 2 (Movement):** Once all 20 goats are placed, goats slide 1 step along grid lines per turn to empty adjacent points. Tigers continue moving and jumping.

## Strategy Summary
- **Goats Strategy:** Occupy the central 8-way connected point early, keep goats in tight pairs to prevent tiger jump landing spots, and push tigers toward corner intersections with fewer escape routes.
- **Tigers Strategy:** Aggressively capture goats in Phase 1 before goats form solid defensive walls, maintain open central lines, and create double-jump threats.

## Website Features
- **Play Online:** Free web-based implementation at https://baghchal.xyz/
- **Game Modes:** Local 2-Player, vs Computer AI (Easy, Medium, Hard), and Real-time Online Multiplayer via Room Codes.
- **Documentation & Guides:**
  - Game Rules & Detailed Strategy: https://baghchal.xyz/rules
  - Strategy Blog & Comparisons: https://baghchal.xyz/blog
  - Baghchal vs Chess Comparison: https://baghchal.xyz/blog-baghchal-vs-chess
  - 5 Easy Goat Strategy Tips: https://baghchal.xyz/blog-goat-strategy-tips
  - Is Baghchal Solved? AI & Game Theory: https://baghchal.xyz/blog-ai-game-theory
  - How to Play Online Multiplayer: https://baghchal.xyz/blog-how-to-play-multiplayer
  - About & History: https://baghchal.xyz/about
  - Privacy Policy: https://baghchal.xyz/privacy
  - Terms of Service: https://baghchal.xyz/terms
  - Contact Developer: https://baghchal.xyz/contact