Aadu Puli Aatam is a traditional game practiced in southern part of India especially in the state of Tamil Nadu. Played between two-players or 2 teams, this asymmetric game is also called as `Game of goats and tigers`. In this strategic board game, one player controls three tigers and the other player controls up to 15 goats. The tigers `hunt` the goats while the goats attempt to block the tigers` movements. It is said that this game helps people to develop strategy and concept of team work.

Equipments Required to Play Aadu Puli Attam

•Board with the game chart or the chart can also be drawn on a floor
•23 spots for moving Aadus (goats) and Pulis (tigers) and to cut them
•3 Pullis and 15 Aadus
•2 or more players

Techniques of Playing Aadu Puli Attam
Draw the chart in a paper or on the ground using chalk powder. At the starting, all the 3 Pulis are placed on the apex, and 2 inner places closest to the apex. All Aadus start off the board. The pieces must be put at the intersections of the board lines and moves should follow these rules:


•The player controlling the Aadus` moves first by placing an Aadu onto a free intersection on the board.
•Next, it is Puli`s turn. One Puli is then moved to an adjacent position along the lines that indicate the valid moves. Moves alternate between players.
•A Puli captures an Aadu by jumping over it to an adjacent free position. Aadus can not move until all 15 have been put on the board.

Objective of Aadu Puli Attam
The objective of Aadus is to encircle Pulis so that none of the Pulis can move while Pulis" objective is to kill all the Aadus. If all the aadus are captured then the Pulis win and the Aadus are winner if all the Pulis are blocked from movement.

Rules for Pulis and Aadus
The Pulis must move according to the following rules-

•They can start capturing Aadus any moment after the match has started.
•They can capture only one Aadu at a time.
•They can jump over a goat in any direction, but it must be to an adjacent intersection following any of the lines drawn on the board.
•A Puli cannot jump over another Puli

The Aadus must move according to these rules-

•They must leave the board when captured.
•They cannot jump over the Pulis or other Aadus.
•They can only move after all 15 have been put on the board.