Unlur tournament

[Glenn & Chrystal Overby <guardcaptain@earthlink.net>]

Abstract Games magazine recently held a contest for original game designs using 
unequal forces.  The contest winner, Unlur, is beginning to attract worldwide 
attention.

Unlur is a connection game, played on a hexagonal board.  Black is trying to 
make a Y (connecting three alternating sides) without first making a line 
(connecting two opposite sides).  White is trying to do the opposite.

White would ordinarily have a huge edge.  But the game begins with a unique 
contract phase, as both players alternate putting Black pieces on the board 
until one player or the other thinks they can win with Black.  That player then 
passes, and the opponent places a first piece as White.

Games often last 20 turns or less for each side, and cannot be longer than 46.  
(My longest here so far ended on the 29th turn, my shortest on the 7th.)

An Unlur implementation exists on this server (thanks to Lyman Hurd?), with over 
100 games in progress or complete.

==========

ANNOUNCING: the first Richard's PBEM Server International Unlur Tournament.

If you would like to play, send me an email at glenn@chessvariants.com.  I 
expect to organize the tournament in two or three rounds, playing four games per 
round (possibly six in the final), requiring 50% score each round to advance.  
Some details will depend on the number of players, but you won't be playing more 
than four tourney games at once (again, possibly six in the final).

Your suggestions for time limit or other details are most welcome.  Get in on 
the ground floor.  Let's give this solid new game a big push!

Glenn Overby (user ID: overby)