Single Comment

There are three piece-types and many stones. (1) When Ariki moves, he then throws two stones. It is advantageous, and Logs show two stones having been thrown most of the time so far. However, some crowded positions would allow only one stone thrown (at least the one Ariki just stepped from is always possible). And show cases where no stones thrown may help Ariki have pathway to escape later, for example, or that Mato to'a is going to attack. So Juan Kirsinger means that 2,1, or 0 stones at option of Neil Spargo's comment, ''up to two stones'' following move of any Ariki. Ariki must move first, no null move, then throw usually the two stones. (2) Ariki is captured by being surrounded by enemy stones and pieces. There is no displacement capture, except of stones by Mato to'a of either colour or by same Moais. Now Mato to'a away from edge cannot be surrounded by enemy pieces since there are only 7 pieces. Any adjacent foreign stones Mato to'a can just take. However, at corner or edge 3 or 5 pieces can enclose Mato to'a. Is Mato to'a captured there by surrounding, the way of Ariki who cannot eat stones? Or is Mato to'a invulnerable? (3) There is four-year-old question in comment unanswered yet, ''Can a Mato to'a capture the Moais?'' No. Mato to'a just participates in surrounding other pieces, including royal Moais, though plenty able to destroy stones one after another as Arikis throw them.