The game is played on grid in the shape of an X or a cross. The object is to get your leader to the goal on the opposite side of the board. The players choose the red or yellow pieces. Each player starts with a set of ten pieces: one Leader (a larger disc), four Companions and five Aids. There are also six additional Companions of each color and eight white Susceptibles.
The Susceptibles are stationary pieces that start on designated spaces. A Susceptible may be captured, at which time it becomes an additional Companion piece for the capturing player.
In addition, all pieces except for Leaders are subject to being captured by moving onto the square the piece occupies. Leaders and Aids move only one space at a time, while Companions move any distance over unoccupied squares. Leader pieces may not capture.