Quick winning principles
- Before moving your piece, plan the tile insertion that creates your shortest path.
- Insert tiles to disconnect opponent paths, not just advance your own.
- Collect treasures on the far side of the board to minimize return trips.
- Track which tile type (T, L, I) is the spare — it determines insertion options.
Ideal strategy
- 1
Insertion priority: push a tile that opens your path AND closes the opponent's shortest route. Dual-purpose insertions win games.
- 2
Path pre-calculation: map your route to the next treasure before inserting. Count moves including the insertion shift.
- 3
Treasure blocking: if opponent needs treasure 3 spaces away, insert to wall off that corridor — force them a 5+ move detour.
- 4
Spare tile hoarding: when you hold the spare tile after insertion, opponents cannot predict the next board state — use this information advantage.
- 5
Edge insertion: inserting on edge rows (not center) shifts fewer pieces but gives more predictable path changes.
- 6
Endgame: when one treasure remains, insert to place yourself 1 move away while opponent is 3+ moves — even if your path is longer overall.