Death Game

A square jade board with its surface marked by a 7x7 grid. Most squares colored white, except for three vivid black ones at the bottom. Arranged across the board are intricately carved figurines, many resembling terrifying monsters, with the three black pieces surrounded by a dozen white ones. The board appears to be some form of chess.^[2]

Each player controls 14 pieces: seven Beasts, two Monsters, two Demons, two Devils, and one Tyrant. Like chess, each figure moves in a specific pattern, but the rules are a bit more complicated because when one play the Death of a Tyrant, one's domain plays an important role too.^[1]

The color of the squares—black or white—affects combat outcomes: figures gain advantages on squares matching their color, unless surrounded by the squares of the opposite color. Players can conquer squares to expand their Domain, increasing strategic depth.^[1]

Some game versions feature special squares like the Castle, which never changes color, and the Shrine, which offers a blessing in exchange for sacrifice. If two figures battle on a Shrine square, the one killed is considered the sacrifice and the one that remains received the blessing.^[1]

The strategy to win the Death Game revolves around utilizing special squares called Shrines, which allow for sacrificial killings to enhance the player's own position.^[3]