troydaniels: The majority people don't think that far in advance. Myself, if I'm starting as white - I will first look at the most likely spot my opponent will start (usually highest point square) - and the myself will make sure to pick the same color that they will most likely start on. Most of the time I predicted correctly and allows me to block later in the game.

Your opponent can't move to a place where you have "blocked" (hence - be able to "capture" their piece if they were to move there.)

97 or 57 are the only 2 spaces to move - and you have both of those covered.

Mousetrap: You should always get to move your piece to 1 place.

The only time you have "more" is if you land on a double (00, 11, 22, ...) - and then you get to choose another double to take off the board. (but your piece does not move any more other then the first move)

david upshaw: I think that is because most players who play as black does not look to the long term and only looks for the highest points for the first 1-3 moves.

If black starts on the same color square as white, black will then be able to "block" spaces so white can't jump to them and can do more planning towards the end of the game.

For example, white might see that they can jump to 23, then 99, then 97 - but if I can get and "block" the 99, they will be stuck with fewer points... or even blocked where they can't move.

Taking a look at my 61 wins - 48% are from black (29) and 52% are from white (32) - so basically even

From my 25 loses, 13 black & 12 white - so again, almost even.

So at least from my experience, I find both sides close to being even.

... and before someone says it, each game is different and sometimes there are exceptions to always starting on the same color as white. Sometimes there will be a 99 - 98 - 97 - 84 type of first 4 moves starting on the other color which you can't pass up... but for the most part, being black & starting on the same color helps a lot.

AbigailII: I agree - I would much rather be the 2nd player.

When I am white, the first thing I do is see what the highest point is on the 2nd players first row.... and pick the opposite color as that since 90% of the time they will pick the highest number without even thinking about later in the game when "blocking" comes into play.

When a person is unable to make a move, the game ends. If you made a move, then your opponent makes a move. If you are then unable to make a move - then it is game over.

White has an advantage of going first and possible getting an extra move.

But black has an advantage of picking to start on the same color square as white - allowing black to protect squares and do more blocking in the game.

Like Knight Fight - then sign up for my BIG Knight Fight tournament:

coan.net presents: BIG KNIGHT FIGHT

To start in just a few days - hopefully we can get a lot to sign up!

TheFadingX: Well then the tournament creator should have chosen to have different setups for each person instead of the same - if they were not having a 2 game per match.

(I believe that is an option you can also see before you sign up for a tournament for things to look at on other tournaments you might join)

Actually it is VERY fair in the tournament, if it is a 2 game per games.

... that way it is the same board, but each player gets to play in each position.

If it is always random, then it could actually turn out to be an advantage to 1 or the others if they get lucky board setups.

MadMonkey: Dark Knight Fight might be interesting - but not played the way you think.

If you don't know what points you could get - that would make the game a total chance game.... and would become an almost pointless game of getting on and moving.

NOW - how about if you can't see your opponent and can't tell which pieces he has removed UNLESS you have a direct line of sight.

That is lets say you plan ahead and in 2 moves you are going to hit the 89 spot - but first you have to hit the 23 spot to get to the 89. Well you move to 23, so your knight can now see the 89 spot - but opps - that space is already gone since your opponent landed on 98 3 turns ago and you did not know it.

So at the start of the game you see the whole board - but the spaces don't get "updated" unless you can view the space with your knight.

that is how I would make Dark Knight Fight

AbigailII: That is interesting - something I did not think about before.

Of course I had thought that white would have the advantage from going first, but black can "counter" that advantage by starting on the same color square as white.

Of course if I'm black, would I rather start of the same color square as white - or start on the square which will lead me to the most points in my first 5 planned-out moves?

Rules

Just so I understand - lets say I see myself with a big enough lead in points. If I can then move myself to a dead-end position leaving me with no possible moves, my opponent will get 1 last move - then on my turn, I can't move so game over (highest points win)

Is that correct? I just want to make sure I understand before I move myself to a dead-end position.