Joust

Joust is a simple game which requires Windows 3.1+ or Windows 95, running on an IBM PC or compatible with 80386 or better processor.

In this game each player has a Knight which moves as in Chess. However, once a piece has moved, the square it was previously on cannot be entered again by either player. The Knights cannot capture each other. The object is to leave your opponent without any moves.

The diagram shows a game in which White is about to move (to g1) and win, because Black will then have no move. Most of the board squares are missing because one of the Knights has stepped on them during the game.

Joust features four levels of computer opponent, and can also be played by two human players.

I don't know who invented this variant. I came across it as an ancient Amiga PD game, although in that version the pieces started in a fixed position in the centre rather than being randomly placed on opposite sides of the board.

As well as the game of Joust, the program features the famous Knight's Tour puzzle for boards of size 5x5 up to 12x12.