
The Ghanaian count-and-capture game

The Ghanaian count-and-capture game
Oware is a web based implementation of the traditional Ghanaian count and capture game, playable directly in a browser. The game uses a standard board with 12 pits and 48 seeds, and the objective is to be the first player to reach 25 captured seeds. Players control the bottom row and compete against a computer opponent or against another person online. The application supports three rule variants: Abapa, Fours, and Ayò, with Abapa set as the default mode. The core gameplay follows the standard sowing mechanic. A player picks a pit, scoops all seeds from it, and drops one seed in each subsequent pit moving counterclockwise. Special rules are implemented for edge cases. If a player has 12 or more seeds, they lap the board and skip the pit they started from. Captures occur when the last seed lands on the opponent’s side and makes a total of 2 or 3 seeds in that pit, with any consecutive 2s or 3s directly before it also being captured. A move that would capture every seed on the opponent’s side is allowed but yields no captures. If the opponent has no seeds, the player must make a move that gives them seeds; if no such move exists, the player collects all remaining seeds. For endgame situations where seeds simply cycle without progress, a “Settle board” option allows each side to keep the seeds they currently hold. The application includes a tutorial system for new players, offering seven short lessons that teach the Abapa rules directly on the board. It also provides a daily puzzle feature and a “Learn to play” section that explains the reasoning behind the rule variations. The interface is designed for immediate play without installation, and the game runs entirely in the browser. Additional information about the game’s rules and background is available through an “About Oware” section, and the project is supported through a separate support page.