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Stratego

Stratego is imperfect-information chess. Experts value pieces by exchange equity, probe with scouts, and protect the flag with layered bombs and lakes.

Quick winning principles

  • Place bombs on the two squares flanking your flag — miners must expose themselves to defuse.
  • Use scouts in chains of 3+ to map opponent ranks without losing high pieces.
  • Never trade marshal (10) unless you have confirmed enemy marshal location.
  • Keep spy (S) adjacent to your marshal path for counter-threat.

Ideal strategy

  1. 1

    Piece valuation: marshal=10, general=9 down to scout=1; a spy killing marshal is +9 exchange. Bomb trades even with any piece except miner.

  2. 2

    Scout chains: advance scouts in connected lines so one loss reveals rank but the chain continues probing.

  3. 3

    Bomb placement: ring flag with bombs on diagonal approaches; leave one gap baiting miner commits.

  4. 4

    Miner lanes: clear a path for miners on the wing where opponent bombs cluster — never send miner through center.

  5. 5

    Bluff high ranks: leave sergeant (6) or lieutenant (5) unmoved in center to absorb attacks.

  6. 6

    Endgame: when material is low, march flag-side pieces forward — a revealed flag with one defender loses to any attack.