As I reflect on the designs of the board and stones for Zhadu, I remember that there was a time when I would methodically develop the reasoning behind everything single aspect of the aesthetics. Every line, angle, and curve was accounted for. I would purposely note why I had chosen this shape, color, material rather than something else. I had to know the “why” of everything in relation to the overall design. The guiding principle that I held close at that time was that of “intention”.

I decided back then that my ‘craft’ required a certain depth of thought and feeling if I was to achieve the standards of design that I aspired to. I soon realized that there was a dimension to the process of designing the aesthetics that I had previously took for granted – discovery.

In Zhadu, there had to be a relationship between the conceptual aspects of the play, the aesthetics and the story. But the diamond shape of the board occurred not through deliberate analysis and consideration, but in a quiet moment while looking at my sketches.

In some way, I trusted the depth in which the insight arose from within me.
I realized in those moments that my “intention” had been misplaced. Rather than proceed with the inclination of having to know the why of every angle, I simply needed to ready for when the insights would arrive. This required a commitment to fostering quiet spaces inside and out.

There are 2 phases of play in Zhadu – the opening phase (the Offering) and the endplay (the Horizon). These phases correspond to the proximity of one remembering the Sharing. The former phase occurring before the first stone is captured by a player and the latter phase occurring after the first stone is captured.

Part of the uniqueness of Zhadu is that one player can be in the Offering phase and the other player can be in the Horizon phase. This is made possible by the fact that each player may capture their very first stone at a different time than that of their opponent.

Since the first stone captured determines a player’s pathway to remembering the Sharing, it is crucial that one determine not only where this occurs but when. Choosing to transition into the Horizon before or after ones opponent lies at the heart of understanding the 2 different kinds of strategies within Zhadu – those of the “Dawn” and those of the “Dusk”.

Strategies of the “Dawn” refers to when a player has chosen to transition into the Horizon before their opponent. Strategies of the “Dusk” refers to when a player has chosen to transition into the Horizon after their opponent.

The 1st phase of the play of Zhadu is known as the Horizon. This occurs before a player has made their first captured stone. The Offering consists of the initial placement of ones stones on the board and the moves before the first capture for a player. There are essentially five groups of opening positions and six distinct setups within each group. Each group corresponds to the different kinds of stones.

The Offering is an often neglected aspect of the play. Contrary to what some may believe, the strategic considerations begin with the actual placing of the stones. More light will be shed on this subject as we learn more from the journals of Hakummar. In future articles, we explore the different groups & setups and the advantages/disadvantages there within.

The pathways to remembering the Sharing are each filled with their distinct challenges. Outside the path of solely striving for the Stone of 4, there is one other pathway that is considered difficult as well – path of the Stone of 2. When a player chooses to capture the Stone of 2 as their first capture, they must capture the Open Stone in order to remember the Sharing.

The singularity of this pathway allows the opponent to approach the player with their other stones in their fullest capacity save perhaps the Open stone itself. This situation has led to the development of a particular tactic in Zhadu referred to as the “Winding”.

“Beware the frolic of your shallow gaze for the Winding awaits.” – Guhrel

The Winding is a special kind of sacrifice whereupon one tries to compel the other player to capture ones Stone of 2. Although any of a player’s stones may be used in this way, it has become customary to associate the Winding with compelling the opponent to capture this particular stone as their first capture.

While this may be done in a seemingly haphazard way, the key to its mastery lies in its timing. The Winding is most effective when it is not foreseen in advance. Stealth is often a preferred course of action when utilizing this tactic especially when used within a strategy of the “Dusk”.

The 2nd phase of the play of Zhadu is known as the Horizon. This occurs after a player has made their first captured stone and thereby chosen their pathway to remembering the Sharing. The only path that occupies a unique place in the Horizon phase is when a player chooses to only capture the Stone of 4. In this respect, the capturing of this stone is the first and last capture.

“I am told that it is rarely spoken of amongst those new to the way. But for those whose journey has weathered many storms, the shining light of the Horizon guides them to the Sharing.” – Hakummar

Different pathways offer different challenges when one enters into the Horizon. For some, the fate of the stones is shared among a few while for other pathways only a single stone must bear the burden. An important consideration regarding the Horizon is when one actually chooses to enter into it. The choice of ones pathway to remembering the Sharing lies in an understanding of when and where to “cross” the Horizon.