Solving an Ancient African Game

The game of awari has entranced players for thousands of years. Originating in Africa, it remains a popular pastime in many parts of the world. Awari and its numerous variants are instances of “count-and-capture” strategy games, and they are known generically as mancala games.

In its traditional form, the awari game “board” consists of two parallel rows of six hollows, with four markers (beans) in each hollow, or cup.