Frezcogames

Developer of the boardgame Freeze
 
 
 
A pawn with no neighbor is frozen. It can't be moved.
Pawns that are not frozen can be very mobile. Look out!
 
 
 
At the start of the game, the players agree on how many pawns each side will have.  An empty board is placed between the players, and the pawns are put in front of the players but not on the board.  Black goes first by entering one of his pawns on any square except a “border square.”   Next, White enters a pawn on an unoccupied square that is no more than one square away from Black's and not on a border square.  The players continue to take turns, either entering a pawn (on a vacant square no more than one away from an occupied square and not on a border square) or moving a pawn which is already on the board.
 
Until a player reaches stage 2, any opposing pawns removed from the board are returned to the opponent to be re-entered.  Once a player is at stage 2, pawns that player removes from the board are captured – permanently removed from play.
 
The last player able to move wins.
 
© 2008 Frezcogames
Q&A
 
Freeze is a 2 player game, right?
Generally, yes.  The instructions also discuss a 4 player version.
 
What is a border square?
Any of the 44 squares along the edges of the board.   
 
When / how can a pawn end up on a border square?
Please see the game instruction booklet for the answer to this question.
 
How many squares does the game board have?
144 (12 rows and 12 columns).
 
Why so many squares?
The pawns can be so mobile that they need that much room. One of the sample games, for example, has only 3 pawns per side, but it will not fit on an 8x8 chess/checker board.

Are the board's squares colored in the typical checkerboard fashion?
No.  A checkerboard pattern works for checkers (where only squares of one color are used) and for chess (to identify the diagonals), but it would be misleading for Freeze (where a square belongs to one of four groups).  On a Freeze board, related squares receive the same mark at one of the corners.  In truth, a player would probably only look at the marks to double-check things during a complex move or series of moves.
 
When / how does a player reach stage 2?
Please see the game instruction booklet for the answer to this question.
 
What can you tell me about how a pawn moves?
A pawn that is not frozen has the potential to move in virtually any direction, vertically, diagonally or horizontally.  There is a jumping move and a non-jumping one.  A jump can be over allied as well as opposing pawns.  When an opponent's pawn is jumped over, it's removed from the board.   
 
Are there a lot of rules?
No.  You're close to knowing all of them already! 
 
Is there such a thing as Freeze notation to record the moves?
Yes.  It's adapted from algebraic chess notation.  Freeze notation is used to present the sample games in the instruction booklet.
 
Does the booklet also include diagrams?
Yes.
 
What is the recommended age group for Freeze?
Approximately ages 6 through adult.  
 
How can I get the game?
There are 2 options. 
 
Click here for information on option 1 (buying a Freeze game set).
 
Click here for information on option 2 (buying the instruction booklet).