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Onitama

Onitama is card rotation chess. Experts predict which cards return to opponent, sacrifice students for tempo, and path master to temple.

Quick winning principles

  • Cards rotate: played card goes to opponent.
  • Sacrifice student to advance master.
  • Master to temple wins; student capture doesn't.
  • Track which cards opponent will have next turn.

Ideal strategy

  1. 1

    Card rotation prediction: when you play card X, opponent gets it next turn—don't play cards that give opponent winning move.

  2. 2

    Student sacrifice: move student into capture to free master path—master win > student loss.

  3. 3

    Master pathing: shortest path to opponent temple; 4-5 moves with correct cards.

  4. 4

    Card denial: play card that would win for you but is useless to opponent when they receive it.

  5. 5

    Temple control: occupy center for card flexibility; edge limits movement.

  6. 6

    Endgame: when master 2 from temple, sacrifice both students to clear path.