The more I play Kitunda, the more I enjoy its experience. Some unexpected surprises bring a smile to my face. I enjoy the flavors and new tastes of the game. Let’s face it: it’s chess-like but not Chess. The moment the element of chance is introduced, it levels the playing field. At this point in time, there are none of the “set” openings one would find in Chess.
Still, subtle strategies are peeking their heads above the plains of the game board. As a designer, once the game is in a working format, one wants to leave the books on strategy to others. We’re usually galloping onto the next idea.
While I know each player will eventually bring to the table their own style. I thought I would offer some tidbits.
Observations:
Try to keep the number of Kitunda on the field of play to three. More pieces in the field of play mean more targets to be captured, mainly when three or more players are in the game.
Keep in mind that there may be more pieces available for capture. Don’t focus on capturing one particular piece. There may be two or three available targets. When it's your turn, make a note to yourself of the number of rolls you need to capture an opposing Kitunda. Some pieces in your trench can come out and take a pawn. For example, tell yourself a roll of 1, 5, or 6 will get you something.
When moving a piece into an “attack” position, do your best to make sure that piece has backup from another Kitunda on the board or from the trench.
When you have only one Kitunda on the field of play, ensure they get into an “attack” position by the third move. If you can’t, bring another pawn out of the dugout.
Remember to attack the most robust player when playing with three or more players.
Remember that being adjacent to an opponent’s pawn allows a 50% chance of a successful capture. A roll of a 5 (Knight’s Joust) allows one to move like a knight, but 5 is a one-of-a-kind roll (a 17% rate).
To keep an opponent’s “last” Kitunda from moving twice, put a piece in the attack position if you have more than one pawn. Make sure you can retaliate if your pawn is taken.
The “Kitunda Tango.” Yep, first heard here. It’s when you have two Kitunda left on the field of play. With every roll you make, they move around the board, staying adjacent to one another (defending each other and tempting other players to attack. In an adjacent “defensive” position, a roll of 4 (King’s Cadence – 100%) guarantees a retaliatory strike. While all other die rolls (other than a 5) give you a 50% retaliatory strike.
Who knows, maybe you’ll be that Kitunda player who discovers a unique style of play. Enough to write a pamphlet or book. The least you can begin doing is formulating your style of play. The more you play, the more you’ll be aware of unseen possibilities. Kitunda, make it your own!
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