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Puluc – The ancient running and catching game of the Ketchi of Guatemala

PulucIt is a traditional linear game, simple but extremely tactical, played on a track of21 boxesTwo players each control5 warriors, with one goal:capture and remove all opponent's piecesMovement is determined by throwing corn kernels, used as dice and as markers between squares.

How to play – in 5 points

1) Prepare the track of 21 squares

Each player places his5 warriorson the starting square on your side. The corn kernels serve as dice to determine moves.

2) Move warriors according to the roll

On your turn, you throw corn kernels: the result determines how many spaces one of your warriors advances along the line. As in many racing games, you decide which token to move based on the tactical situation.

3) Capture by landing on the opponent

If you land exactly on the space occupied by an enemy warrior, you capture it and keep it under your token. Captures can be cumulative: if multiple warriors are captured, they move together like a "tower."

4) Bring your catch back to base

To permanently eliminate captured warriors, you must return your piece (with the "rook" on it) to your starting space. Only then are the enemy pieces removed from the game.

5) Win by eliminating all enemy warriors

The game ends when a player has no more warriors on the field. There arefive traditional variants(aj sayil, aj t'iwil, aj sina'anil, aj sakalil, a k'aak'il), which slightly change the pace and conditions of capture.