YINSH is an abstract strategy board game launched in 2003 by Belgian designer Kris Burm, blending the piece‑flipping mechanics of Reversi with the line‑forming objectives of Gomoku. Its unique rules and ever‑shifting strategic dynamics have made it a favorite among tabletop gaming enthusiasts.

Gameplay Rules

1. Game Components and Initial Setup
   • Each player starts with 5 rings in different colors—black and white—and 51 double‑sided pieces, each featuring one black side and one white side.
   • At the beginning of the game, players take turns placing their 5 rings on empty spaces on the board; once all rings have been placed, the game enters the movement phase.
2. Movement Rules
   • In each turn, a player must select one of their rings and move it in a straight line to an unoccupied space. The ring may jump over any number of empty squares or consecutive pieces, but it cannot leap over other rings.
   • Before moving, the ring must be positioned with a piece of its own color at the starting point.
   • If the ring jumps over a piece during its movement, all pieces it skips must have their color flipped—black becomes white, and white becomes black.
3. Scoring and Victory Conditions
   • When a player forms a continuous sequence of 5 pieces of the same color—whether in a straight line, horizontal row, or diagonal—by flipping pieces or strategically placing new ones, they may remove those 5 pieces from the board and choose to remove one of their own rings.
   • If, after removing a ring, there are still eligible sets of five in a row remaining on the board, the process continues. If the opponent also meets the criteria for a valid five‑in‑a‑row, they must likewise remove a ring.