Pards

Pards is a two-player perfect information abstract strategy game themed around judgement and ancient empires. Each player commands ranked pieces, Caesar, Emperor, Pharaoh, and Shah, while both players contest control of the shared Vicar.

On most turns, a player moves one piece to an empty square by copying a valid pattern already present on the board. Patterns are created by connected same-color groups, and the copied movement path may be rotated or flipped. Captures, called sacks, use straight-line movement based on the size of the attacking piece’s group and the strength of its suit.

After a legal sack, the same player must immediately move the Vicar, and the captured piece is returned by its owner on their next turn. This means each move can change the available patterns, attack distances, and tactical possibilities for both players.

The goal is to move the Vicar to the opponent’s back rank. White wins by moving the Vicar to rank 9, while Black wins by moving the Vicar to rank 1.

—description from the designer