A hidden-rank military strategy game developed in the Philippines in the 1970s and widely played in schools and the armed forces. Only you can see your own ranks; a piece reveals itself only when it challenges. Our implementation is independently coded with original artwork and generic rank naming, and the modern commercial title of this game is flagged for legal review before any real-money mode is enabled.
Variant implemented
Standard 21-piece hidden-rank game on a 9×8 board: randomised deployment, private ranks, one-step orthogonal movement, challenge resolves by rank with the Spy/Private special case, win by reaching the far row with your Flag or by eliminating the enemy Flag.
Board and pieces
9 columns × 8 rows. Twenty-one pieces each, with ranks hidden from the opponent.
Setup
Both armies are deployed randomly within the three rows nearest each player, using the provably-fair match RNG.
Turn
Move one piece one step orthogonally to an adjacent square, empty or enemy-occupied.
Capture and scoring
Moving onto an enemy piece is a challenge and both ranks are revealed. The higher rank eliminates the lower. Equal ranks eliminate each other. The Spy beats every officer but loses to a Private; a Private beats the Spy. Everything beats the Flag; Flag challenging Flag wins.
Win condition
Eliminate the enemy Flag, or walk your own Flag to the far row.
Draw condition
A long stretch with no challenge is a draw.
Special rules
The army is one Flag, six Privates, one each of Sergeant through Colonel, five Generals and two Spies. Your own ranks are always visible to you; enemy ranks appear only after a challenge.
Computer opponent
Heuristic: attack revealed pieces it can beat, gamble with high ranks against unknowns, never advance the Flag into danger. It uses only what it can legitimately see — it never inspects hidden ranks.