Rules of Play

Game Boards

Probe has three modes: Classic, Enhanced and Blitz. The Classic board is 10x10 with two barriers in the middle. The Enhanced board is 11x11 with two barriers in the middle and three Power Squares that let pieces moves directly from one square to another. Blitz mode is played on the Classic board:

                      Classic/Blitz                                           Enhanced
               

See The Probe Difference to learn more about each game mode.

Pieces

These are the piece counts for each mode. Note that you can modify the piece count for Blitz mode:

Name Piece
 Classic
 Enhanced Blitz
Flag
1 1 1
Bomb
6
 7 3
Marshal
1
 1
 1
General
1
 1
 1
Colonel
2
 2
 1
Major
3
 3
 1
Captain
4 4 2
Lieutenant
4
 5 2
Sergeant
4
 5 2
Miner
5
 6 2
Scout
8
 8
 3
Spy
1
 1
 1
Total   40 44 20

 

Setup

At the beginning of a game, you choose whether Probe's pieces should be arranged randomly or strategically. Random setups always position the Flag in one of the two back rows. Strategic setups usually fortify the Flag with Bombs. Here's a typical example of Flag and Bomb placement for a strategic setup:


Your setup also may be random or strategic. See Creating Setups to learn how to design your own setups.

At the beginning of the game, the identities of pieces are hidden from the opponent. So Probe's pieces will look like this for you:


As the game progresses, you will learn the identities of Probe's pieces that win attacks or make special moves. You may also be able to guess the identities of pieces that move aggressively or away from capture, or that protect other pieces from capture. Likewise, Probe will be able to positively identify some of your pieces, and make guesses about others.

Movement

The first turn in the game is determined at random. Pieces move according to these rules:

  • The Flag and Bombs don't move.
  • All other pieces can move forward, backward, left or right one square.
  • A Captain can move diagonally one square. (Enhanced game default)
  • A Lieutenant can jump over an adjacent piece to the square on the other side. (Enhanced game default)
  • A Sergeant can cross directly from one side of a barrier to the other. (Enhanced game default)
  • A Scout can move along any number of vacant squares forward, backward, left or right.
  • A piece on a Power Square can move directly to another Power Square. (Enhanced only)

See Options for variations on the movement rules.

Attacks

A piece attacks by attempting to occupy the square of an opponent piece. These rules govern attacks:

  • Any piece can capture the Flag.
  • A Miner can capture Bombs.
  • Pieces of rank One through Nine can capture any piece of equal or higher rank they attack.
  • The Spy can capture the Marshal by attacking it.
  • Any piece can capture the Spy by attacking it.

The losing piece is removed from the board. If the attacker wins, it occupies the square of the loser; if the defender wins, it remains in place. The identity of the winning piece is revealed to the opponent.

See Options for variations on the attack rules.

Two-Squares Rule

No piece may cross the line separating two squares for six consecutive moves. For every piece except the Scout this rule simply means the piece cannot move back and forth between the same two squares six consecutive times. For a Scout the rule means the Scout cannot pass over the line separating any two squares six consecutive times, including all the lines passed over during range moves. If you attempt a Two-Squares rule violation, Probe will display an error message and you will be able to choose a different move.

More-Squares Rule

No piece may move so as to recreate a board position that existed earlier in the game, except as covered by the Two-Squares rule. This rule discourages chase sequences. If you attempt a More-Squares rule violation, Probe will display an error message and you will be able to choose a different move.

Winning a Game

There are two ways to win a game:

  • Capture Probe's Flag.
  • Capture all of Probe's pieces that are able to move.