Welcome to the network Orbit server. The challenge command is described here. Other commands are the same as for all pbmserv games.
orbit challenge userid1 userid2 [-size=S]
Starts a new game between userid1 and userid2.
The -size option specifies the board size in the range 7..19 (default is 13).
Orbit is a Go variant in which players strive to enclose territory inside orbits and half-orbits.
An orbit is a cycle of same-coloured pieces that encloses one or more points. A half-orbit is a connected set of pieces that, together with one side of the board, encloses one or more points. The enclosed points may be empty or occupied by enemy pieces. The surrounding connection may include orthogonal and diagonal steps.
The following example shows an O orbit and two X half-orbits:
A B C D E F G H I
9 - - - - x - - x - 9
8 - - - - x x - x - 8
7 - - - - - - x - - 7
6 - - o o - - - - - 6
5 - o - - o - - - x 5
4 - o - - o - - x - 4
3 - o - o - - x - - 3
2 - - o - - - - x - 2
1 - - - - - - - - x 1
A B C D E F G H I
Players take turns placing a piece of their colour on any empty point, provided that point does not lie within an enemy orbit or half-orbit. After each move, enemy pieces enclosed by orbits are captured and removed from the board.
The game ends when either the board fills up or all players pass in succession. The player with the most territory wins; territory is the total number of empty points exclusively within that player's orbits and half-orbits (shared territory does not count).
orbit move board# userid password g4
orbit move board# userid password swap (second move only)
orbit move board# userid password pass
Orbit was designed by Steven Meyers.
Implementation and help file by Cameron
Browne, February 2005.