VLKNO is a 2 player abstract strategy game played on a 5x5 grid covered in 25 stackable stones.
Players each have 2 pawns in their color, which are placed on stones in diagonally opposite corners of the grid at the start of the game.
Each turn, you do the following actions:
Move either of your pawns one space in any direction to a stack of 1+ stones that's the same height, or 1 stone taller, or 1 stone shorter than yours.
Pick up a stone from the smallest unoccupied stack on the board, except the one you just came from (if there's a tie for shortest stack, you choose which one).
Place it on any unoccupied stack of 1+ stones except the one you just came from.
You win when your opponent cannot complete each step of their turn.
The lava grid is used for thematic purposes; the game can be played without a board.
—description from the designer
This game was entered in the BGG 2024 Children & Family Game Design Contest, where it was voted #2 Best Children’s Game and #3 Best Family Game