Hostages!

(press F1 to open rules in game; "R" to restart game at any time)

Overview - Hostages is a 2 player turn based strategy game. Each player has 4 troops to play with. Players must rescue all of their hostages and return their platoon to base in order to win. 

Gameplay - 

The white player starts the game by taking the first move. Players may move any piece one space horizontally or vertically. Once a player gets a troop to the other side of the board, they may collect on hostage. The hostage has not been rescued until the troop carrying him returns back to his own side of the board. Players continue taking turns until one player has rescued all hostages and returned all troops to base. 

Rules - 

1. Normal troops can only carry one hostage at a time. 
2. Normal troops can jump horizontally and vertically over allied troops. 
3. Normal troops can jump diagonally over enemy troops 
4. If a normal troop with no hostage jumps over an enemy carrying a hostage, the hostage is stolen and transferred to the jumper. Both enemy and allied troops can be stolen.  
5. A hostage cannot be stolen once returned to base. 
6. Strongmen collect and carry two troops at a time.
7. Strongmen cannot jump; strongmen cannot be jumped over.
8. Winning the game - The game is over when one player has rescued all eight hostages and has all four troops lined up on his own base. If a player wins by a single move, it is a tie game. 

Strategy & Tips - 

Hostages is like a versus mode sliding puzzle. In order to win, you'll have to get to the enemies base without letting the enemy steal too many hostages. Keeping your own base protected while managing to get pieces will require clever thinking and manipulation of game mechanics. Some things you'll want to keep in mind when making moves: 

Since hostages can only be stolen by diagonal jumps, a troop carrying a hostage on the edge of the board is safe from thievery. The strong man can also be used to prevent thievery.
An enemy can be trapped in a corner after taking a hostage since he can only jump diagonally over enemy pieces. 
It's just as important to have an escape route by the end of the game as it is to rescue the hostages. If you can't get your troops home, you could still lose the game.