BeeFreeHow to play Quoridor: the rules, simply explained
Quoridor-style games have only a few rules: move or build a wall, never trap anyone, and reach the other side first. Here is everything you need, with examples. All of it works the same way in BeeFree.
1. Setup
Two players each place a pawn in the middle of their own edge of the board. On the standard 9×9 board each player gets 10 walls. Your goal is the row on the opposite side.
2. On your turn: move or place a wall
Every turn you choose exactly one action:
- Move your pawn one square up, down, left or right.
- Place a wall from your supply in the gap between squares. A wall is two squares long and can be horizontal or vertical.
You cannot do both in the same turn, and you cannot pass.
3. Walls block movement
A pawn cannot move through a wall. Walls cannot overlap each other, cannot stick out of the board, and two walls cannot cross in an X. Once placed, a wall stays until the end of the game.
4. The golden rule: no trapping
You may never place a wall that cuts off a player's last route to their goal – not your opponent's and not your own. Walls can create long detours and mazes, but there must always be at least one open path. BeeFree checks this for you and shows illegal walls in red.
5. Jumping over the other pawn
When the two pawns stand face to face, the player whose turn it is can jump straight over the other pawn, landing on the square behind it.
If a wall or the edge of the board is directly behind the other pawn, you can instead jump diagonally to the left or right of it (if no wall is in the way). This is the only time a pawn moves diagonally.
6. Winning
The first player to reach any square of their goal row wins. You don't have to reach a specific square – just the row.
Variants in BeeFree
| Mode | Board | Walls each | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duel – Mini | 5×5 | 5 | A quick warm-up or teaching kids |
| Duel – Blitz | 7×7 | 10 | Fast, tactical games |
| Duel – Standard | 9×9 | 10 | The classic Quoridor setup |
| Duel – Grand | 11×11 | 15 | Long strategic battles |
| Classic Race | 13×9 | 10 | Both players race to the same goal row |
Common questions
Can you move diagonally?
Not normally. A diagonal move is only allowed when you jump toward the other pawn and the square straight behind it is blocked by a wall or the edge of the board.
Can you completely block your opponent?
No. A wall may never cut off a player's last path to their goal. Walls can force long detours, but at least one route must stay open.
How many walls does each player get?
On the standard 9×9 board, 10 each. In BeeFree the 5×5 board uses 5 walls each and the 11×11 board uses 15.
What happens when I run out of walls?
You can only move your pawn for the rest of the game.
Can walls be moved or removed?
No. Once a wall is placed it stays where it is.
Know the rules? Read the strategy guide next.