Dots and Boxes

A pencil-and-paper classic. You and the computer take turns drawing a line between two neighbouring dots. Draw the fourth side of a box and you claim it — and you must move again. When every line is drawn, the player with more boxes wins.

The game is easy to learn, but the endgame is all about chains: long corridors of boxes that one player will eventually have to open. On Expert, the computer counts chains and tries to give away as few boxes as possible.

1. Tap the space between two dots to draw a line.
2. Completing a box claims it and gives you another move.
3. The game ends when all lines are drawn; most boxes wins.

• Never draw the third side of a box unless you have to — your opponent will take it.
• Count the chains near the end. Whoever is forced to open the first long chain usually loses.
• Give away the smallest chains first when you have no safe move.