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Dots and Boxes, also known as "La Pipopipette" in French or "Käsekästchen" in German, was first described by French mathematician Édouard Lucas in 1889. The game became popular worldwide as a simple pencil-and-paper game that can be played anywhere. Despite its simple rules, the game has deep strategic elements that have attracted mathematicians and game theorists.
Players take turns drawing lines between adjacent dots. When you complete the fourth side of a box, you capture it and get another turn. The player who captures the most boxes wins. The key is to avoid giving your opponent easy captures while setting up chains of boxes for yourself.
Advanced players focus on "chain" control - connected sequences of boxes. The double-dealing strategy involves deliberately giving up a small chain to force your opponent to open a larger one. Counting and managing parity (odd vs even chains) is crucial for winning.
Chain: A connected sequence of boxes that can be captured consecutively. Long Chain: A chain with 3+ boxes - controls the endgame. Double-Dealing: Sacrificing a small chain to gain control of a larger one. Third Side: Drawing the 3rd side of a box gives opponent the capture. Parity: The odd/even count of chains determines who wins the endgame.
Play Dots and Boxes online with players worldwide. Quick Match finds opponents instantly. Challenge AI at Easy, Medium, or Hard levels. Create private rooms for friends. Track your rating on the leaderboard. Works on all devices - desktop and mobile. No download required.
Unlike Tic-Tac-Toe which often ends in draws, Dots and Boxes has deep strategic layers with chain theory. Compared to Go or Chess, the rules are simpler but the endgame requires precise calculation. The game shares concepts with Graph Theory, making it popular among mathematicians. Perfect for players seeking a balance between accessibility and strategic depth.