Basic rules for playing seahorse chess
To play seahorse chess, gather 2-4 players. The duration of each game can range from 10 to 40 minutes, depending on players' agreement. Additionally, prepare the following items for the game:
- 1 chessboard: square-shaped, divided into 4 sections with different colors (usually blue, green, yellow, and red), corresponding to 4 players.
- 4 dice.
- 16 chess pieces: divided into 4 colors, corresponding to 4 players and the colors on the chessboard.
- Cup or bowl for shaking the dice.

Principles of play:
Each player in the game owns a horse stable (one of the 4 sections on the board) and 4 chess pieces (seahorses). The player's task is to roll the dice, then move the seahorse according to the number of dice dots rolled. The speed of movement depends on the dice result.
The player who successfully gets all 4 chess pieces back to the stable and sequentially arranges them in squares 6, 5, 4, and 3 wins. Others have the right to continue playing until the last player (the loser) is determined.
Rules of seahorse chess
After understanding the principles of seahorse chess, you need to know the process of playing a game. This includes the following steps:
Step 1: Roll the dice.In the first turn, players can use the 'hammer pulling bag' or 'roll the dice' to determine who goes first. In each turn, players roll the dice in a cup or bowl to determine the number of moves. If the dice fall outside, the player loses the turn, known as a 'thui' situation.

If a player rolls dice with faces 'one' (1) and 'six' (6), a pair of ones (1-1), a pair of twos (2-2), a pair of threes (3-3), a pair of fours (4-4), a pair of fives (5-5), or a pair of sixes (6-6), they have the right to start. Otherwise, if none of these results are rolled, the turn passes to the next player.
Step 2: Start the game.Based on the number of dice dots rolled, players proceed to start the game. Starting means moving chess pieces (seahorses) across squares on the seahorse chessboard. The number of squares moved equals the number of dots rolled. When moving pieces, players may encounter the following situations:
Blocked: Occurs when moving encounters another chess piece (either theirs or the opponent's). In this case, two scenarios can occur:
- Firstly, the distance between two seahorse chess pieces is less than the number of dice dots rolled. In this situation, the player cannot move further and must use another chess piece to make the move. If there's no valid piece to move, consider it a lost turn.
- Secondly, the distance between two chess pieces is exactly equal to the number of dice dots rolled. In this scenario, the player has the right to 'kick' the adjacent chess piece off the board. However, if it's their own piece, kicking is not allowed.

After completing one round on the seahorse chessboard, a player's chess pieces return to the stable. At this position, pieces can still be kicked by the opponent's pieces as usual.
Upon reaching the stable, players continue rolling the dice. If the result is 2 dots, move the piece to square '2'. Keep moving pieces until all 4 pieces are placed in squares 6, 5, 4, 3, securing victory.
In the case of rolling 6 dots during the return to the stable, players have the right to move the piece directly to square '6'. This situation is called 'thau ma,' and players will be rewarded according to the prior agreement.
On the contrary, if rolling 1 dot during the return to the stable, the player must move the piece to square '1'. This situation is called a 'collapsed pit,' and the player must share penalties with the remaining players.

Tips for playing seahorse chess effectively
To conquer seahorse chess, players not only need clever strategies but also must grasp the following tips to win quickly and outplay the opponent:
Understand the rules of play
Before engaging in any discipline, players must fully understand the rules of that discipline. Similarly, players need to carefully read the rules, gameplay, and victory conditions of seahorse chess if they want to master this game. Understanding the rules is the foundational knowledge to start playing. Then, through the playing process, players will gradually accumulate experience and other useful tips for themselves.
Deploy Multiple Pieces
Instead of focusing on moving only one chess piece, players should deploy multiple pieces. This helps mitigate the risk of having to start over if an opponent kicks a piece off the board. Moreover, deploying multiple pieces increases the chances of victory, as players need to place all 4 chess pieces in the stable.

Capitalize on Opportunities
Whenever possible, choose to 'kick' the opponent's chess pieces off the board. This helps limit the opponent's moves, thereby increasing the chances of winning.
Where to Play Seahorse Chess Online?
Currently, there are numerous websites and mobile games available. Among them, Zingplay Seahorse Chess is the most beloved game. Follow these instructions to download the game:
- Visit Google Play or the App Store > search for 'Zingplay Seahorse Chess' > select 'Install' to download the game > open the game, log in, and start playing.

- If you want to play Seahorse Chess online without downloading, visit the following websites:
- Gamevui.vn (https://gamevui.vn/co-ca-ngua/game)
- Game24h.vn (https://game24h.vn/tinh-diem/ludo-huyen-thoai-c145g4351b58.html)
Hope the above information helps you learn how to play and download Seahorse Chess online for free as a beginner. Quickly download the game to join in the fun with your friends!