The Capture Rule
📋 What it is
You must capture a piece NOT in a mill, unless all enemy pieces are in mills — then any may be taken.
🗣️ Coach says
There's a fairness rule on captures: when your mill lets you remove a piece, you must take one that is NOT part of an enemy mill — if any such piece exists. Only if EVERY enemy piece is protected inside a mill may you break one. This protects pieces that are already "working."
🧠 Memory hook
Take a piece outside a mill first. Only break a mill if they're all in mills.
😂 Giggle
Why is a "double mill" the best trick in the game?
Because sliding one piece back and forth forms a mill every single turn!
😲 Whoa!
This rule makes pieces inside mills a safe "bank" — smart players keep some pieces locked in mills so the opponent can't easily capture them.
✅ Quick check: When you form a mill, which enemy piece must you usually capture?
Say your answer out loud first — then reveal.
One that is NOT part of an enemy mill — you may only break a mill to capture if ALL the opponent's pieces are inside mills.
The rule protects pieces in mills unless every enemy piece is protected.
🪄 Trick question: All of your opponent's pieces are inside mills. Can you capture one?
Careful — think it through, then reveal.
Yes — when every enemy piece is in a mill, the rule lets you break one and capture; the protection only holds while an unprotected piece exists.
The mill-protection rule yields once no unprotected piece remains.
🧪 Try it! (2 minutes)
Set some enemy pieces in a mill and some outside. Confirm you must capture an outside one first.