Board Setup:
- Mehen is played on a rectangular board divided into 30 squares.
- The squares are arranged in a specific pattern and often decorated with intricate designs or symbols.
Pieces:
- Each player has six pawns of the same color. The colors commonly used are black and white, but they can vary.
Initial Position:
- Players place their pawns in opposite rows at either end of the board, usually the rows closest to them.
Objective:
- The objective of the game is to be the first player to move all their pawns around the board and back to their starting position.
Movement:
- Pawns move counter-clockwise around the board. They can move either one, two, or three squares at a time.
- A pawn can only occupy a square that is vacant or contains an opponent's pawn.
- Pawns can capture opponent's pawns by landing on the same square. Captured pawns are removed from the board.
Special Moves:
- Certain squares on the board are designated as "special squares."
- Landing on a special square may grant the player a special move or benefit, such as moving an extra square, capturing an opponent's pawn, or moving pawns in a different way.
Rules of Capture:
- When a pawn lands on a square occupied by an opponent's pawn, the opponent's pawn is captured and removed from the board.
- A player can only capture an opponent's pawn if it is located directly in front of their own pawn.
Ending the Game:
- The game ends when one player has successfully moved all their pawns around the board and back to their starting row. This player is declared the winner.
- Other variations may have different ending conditions, such as capturing all of an opponent's pawns.
Variations:
- There are many variations of Mehen, each with slightly different rules and board layouts.
- Variations may change the number of players, board size, and the use of special squares and moves.
It's important to note that Mehen is an ancient game, and its exact rules may vary depending on the region or period it was played.