The Game of 20 Origin

Version 3.5

Sam Jelveh Rules

ABOUT THIS GAME

This game is the oldest complete board game ever discovered in the world. The board game known as The Shahr-i Sokhta board game is now playable with rules that were played 4700  years ago. It's a new finding in the history of board games! The game is similar to the royal game of Ur but slightly more strategic. It's like a really old version of Backgammon and this is the only board game in history before chess where each piece has its own meaning. Archaeologists found board, pieces, and dice that are 4700 years old in Iran. Recently studied shows how the game was likely played.

The method used in the scientific paper will be utilized by The Game Intelligence , a Cambridge-based company, to help AI understand ancient board games in general.

THE ORIGIN OF THE GAME OF 20

The game is playable on all platforms.
It helps you understand and follow the ancient rules, giving you a glimpse of how it might have been played 4,700 years ago. This is the oldest known version, possibly the origin, of the game of twenty. It features complete sets, with each player controlling 12 pieces that race and fight across 12 spaces. We don't offer customized versions; the aim is to help you learn and become familiar with the rules.

Version 3.5
Enhanced AI, User Interface, new Skilled difficulty level and music by Zoe Wynns

NORMAL | Learning
Play against the AI, which presents a solid challenge without being overly difficult. It’s a slightly balanced experience, best for learning, and the dice can be a bit in your favor. Once you master and understand the strategy, you can move to skilled mode.

SKILLED | Advanced
This mode will skill you up a bit. AI will play more strategically in this mode. We believe this is the best and most reasonable challenge, and it's enjoyable. The best advice: act fast!

CHALLENGE | Frustrating
The AI ramps up its tactics in this mode. It will plan ahead, adapt, and do whatever it takes to avoid defeat (including the dice challenge). However, victory is still possible if you plan carefully, set your strategy wisely, and take calculated risks.
Good luck, and remember: victory favors the prepared!

TIP : Move your blockers, and of course, you need some luck.

The Pieces
Each piece has its own meaning. Remind you of chess?

Main | 20x Runner
Only move forward	Can Only capture Main	Compulsory move

Blockers | 2x Ideal for capturing
Only Active when roll number 3	Can Only capture Main	Optional move

Blockers | 2x Ideal for blocking
Only Active when roll number 3	Can Only capture Main	Limited optional move

Safe | 3x
Main are safe	Get Extra throw	Fixed position

THE RULES IN SUMMARY

You need to make smart moves in this game, but you don't have to rush. The game will teach you how to play as you go. The goal is to navigate all your 10 pieces around and off the board before your opponent and get all your pieces to the finish line to win.

You move your pieces along the board, rolling a four sided rectangular die to decide how far you go. You can kick out your opponent's pieces, if you land on a special space/rosette, your piece is safe and you get an extra throw. Unlike the royal game of Ur version, you have two extra pieces that can block your opponent's moves. They become active when you roll a three. The best way to understand the rules is to play them yourself.

FURTHER READING

You can also have access to the scientific paper: More Info