quarto-lib 2.1.5

Common library for Quarto-Games projects.

Quarto

Objective

To create a line of four pieces (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal) that share at least one common characteristic:

• Color: light or dark
• Shape: round or square
• Height: tall or short
• Top: solid or hollow

The twist: you choose the piece your opponent must place on the board.

Game Setup

• Board: 4x4 grid (16 positions)
• Pieces: 16 unique combinations of 4 binary characteristics (2⁴ = 16)

Gameplay Sequence

1. Player A chooses a piece (from the 16 available) and gives it to Player B.
2. Player B places the piece on any empty square, then selects a new piece (from the remaining 15) and gives it to Player A.
3. Continue until someone forms a winning line or all squares are filled (draw).

Strategic Depth

Because you give your opponent their piece:

• You try to avoid giving them a winning move
• And you try to force them into giving you a winning opportunity

Game Complexity

Each turn involves two key decisions:

1. Placement: Choose 1 of up to 16 (later fewer) empty squares.
2. Piece selection: Choose 1 of the remaining unplaced pieces for the opponent.

Game Tree Size

Turn 1: 16 choices (piece to give)
Turn 3: 15 placements × 14 piece choices
Turn 2: 16 placements × 15 piece choices
...
Final Turn: Placement of the last piece

While not all paths are valid due to early wins, the maximum number of game states is large:

• 16! piece placements × 16! orderings ≈ 2×10³⁶ possible games (theoretical upper bound)