Debut — Build Your Kingdom
An empty board. Two kingdoms waiting to be built — no kings yet.
Claim SpaceYour Debut army is Turtles, Mice, and Knights — no pawns, no bishops. Each piece claims an intersection.
Open In The CentreWhite's first piece and Black's first piece must both land in the central 3×3 area — D4 to F6. White may not use the exact centre point, E5.
Stay ConnectedEvery piece after your first must touch one of your own — orthogonally or diagonally — so your kingdom is always one connected group.
Keep Your DistanceBlack's founding piece must NOT touch White's, and from then on no placement may ever touch an opponent's piece — orthogonally or diagonally. The kingdoms never touch, not even at the start.
No Captures YetNo captures and no kings in the Debut. You are only building position — kings are crowned later.