1. Watermelon Chess is played on a circular board with four semi-circles around the edges and a circle in the middle. Intersections mark play spaces and lines indicate permitted moves.

2. Each player selects 6 BEADs a colour of their choice.

3. BEADs are placed on the 6 intersections closest to the player; 5 around the outside circle and 1 in the middle.

4. Players decide who begins the game by rolling a die.

1. In turns, players move 1 of their BEADs 1 space along the lines indicated.

2. Players capture BEADs by surrounding it so that their opponent cannot move the BEAD.

3. A player can only make 1 capture per turn.

4. Captured BEADs are removed from the board.

To win the game, a player must capture 4 their opponent’s BEADs.

1. Watermelon Chess is a two-player abstract strategy game from China where it is known as Xi Gua Qi.

2. Watermelon Game has been described as a traditional folk game from Hangzhou for children.