Playboard

Learn Dots and Boxes: Rules and Chain Strategy

Every lesson here is played on the same board you play matches on. Start with the rules if you have never played. If you already avoid the third side, the chains unit teaches the endgame: which chain to give away, when to hand boxes back, and how to tell who will get control.

  • 4 lessons
  • 16 min
  • Free, no sign-up
Start the first lesson
Lessons for every game

Unit 1

The rules

Drawing lines, claiming boxes and drawing again, the third-side trap, taking a whole chain and how a game is won.

  1. Dots and Boxes Rules: Interactive Tutorial for Beginners

    The Dots and Boxes rules on a real board. Draw lines, claim boxes, dodge the third-side trap and take whole chains. A free interactive tutorial.4 min

Unit 2

Chains

Counting short and long chains, the double-cross that keeps control, and the long chain rule that tells you who will get it.

  1. Short and Long Chains in Dots and Boxes

    Learn to count chains in Dots and Boxes, why three boxes or more make a long chain, and which chain to give away when every line gives something away.3 min

  2. The Double-Cross in Dots and Boxes: All but Two

    Learn the double-cross in Dots and Boxes. Take all but two boxes of a long chain, hand the last two back, and make your opponent open the next chain.4 min

  3. The Long Chain Rule in Dots and Boxes

    Learn the long chain rule for Dots and Boxes. Count the long chains to know who will get control, and use a double-cross to change the count.5 min