yutnori

Yutnori is a traditional Korean board game played with four wooden sticks known as yut. It is commonly played during Korean holidays such as Seollal (the Lunar New Year) and Chuseok, and can be enjoyed by two players or two teams.

Equipment and setup: Each player has four pieces, often called horses, which start off the board. The game uses four yut sticks, which are tossed to determine movement. A typical throw yields one of five outcomes: do (1 step), gae (2), ge (3), yut (4), or mo (5). If the result is yut or mo, the player earns an extra throw. In some rules, a back-do outcome allows moving backward one space.

Movement and capture: Players take turns throwing the sticks and moving their pieces along a fixed track around the board. Landing on a space occupied by an opponent’s piece captures it and sends it back to its starting area. Players may stack their own pieces on the same space, creating a blockade that can hinder opponents.

Board and paths: The board features a track around the perimeter and often a central or cross-shaped route, with spaces arranged to form a circuit from start to finish. The exact layout can vary by region and set, but the core idea is to move all pieces from start to home.

Strategy and variants: Yutnori combines luck from the throw with strategic movement, blocking, and timing. Variants differ in how blocks are used, how many players participate, and the precise board design. The game remains a popular social activity and has deep cultural associations in Korea.