How to Play Salpakan
Setup
The board is 9 columns × 8 rows (72 squares). Each player commands an army of 21 pieces: 5 Generals, 7 Officers, 1 Sergeant, 1 Private, 1 Spy, and 1 Flag.
Placement
Before the match begins, arrange all 21 of your pieces on your half of the board in any formation you choose. Your opponent cannot see their ranks.
Movement
Players alternate turns. On your turn move one piece exactly one square — forward, backward, left, or right. Diagonal moves are not allowed.
Challenges
When your piece enters a square occupied by an enemy piece, a challenge occurs. The computer acts as Arbiter: the lower-ranked piece is eliminated and removed from the board, keeping identities hidden.
Winning
Victory in two ways: capture the enemy Flag with any of your pieces, or move your own Flag to the far end of the board without it being challenged.
Special Rules
Spy vs. Everyone
The Spy defeats all military officers — from the 5-Star General down to the Sergeant. A powerful piece held in reserve.
Private vs. Spy
The Private is the only piece that can eliminate the Spy — whether it initiates the challenge or is challenged.
Identical Ranks
When two pieces of the exact same rank challenge each other, both are eliminated from the board.
Piece Hierarchy
Higher rank always wins — except for the special cases above. Pieces are listed from strongest to weakest.
- 5-Star GeneralThe highest-ranking officer. Eliminates all lower-ranking officers.
- 4-Star GeneralEliminates 3-Star General down to Private.
- 3-Star GeneralEliminates 2-Star General down to Private.
- 2-Star GeneralEliminates 1-Star General down to Private.
- 1-Star GeneralEliminates Colonel down to Private.
- ColonelEliminates Lt. Colonel down to Private.
- Lt. ColonelEliminates Major down to Private.
- MajorEliminates Captain down to Private.
- CaptainEliminates 1st Lieutenant down to Private.
- 1st LieutenantEliminates 2nd Lieutenant, Sergeant, and Private.
- 2nd LieutenantEliminates Sergeant and Private.
- SergeantEliminates Private.
- PrivateLowest rank. Defeated by all officers. Only piece that eliminates the Spy.
- SpyDefeats all officers (5-Star to Sergeant). Eliminated by Private.
- FlagCaptured by any piece. Wins the game if it reaches the far end unchallenged.