NOTES ON MALAY INDOOR GAMES. 71 



Main Tapak Empat, 



A Mej^angkabau Game. 



This is a type of c f ox-and-geese ' or i main harimau kambing/ 

 which so far as I know has not yet been recorded. 



The pattern of board used is represented in diagrams 3 and 4 

 which show the usual opening move and the ' harimau ' beaten res- 

 pectively. 



The game is played by two players, one (A) taking the 'kam- 

 bing' (24 pieces), while the other (X) representing the i harimau' 

 has two pieces. 



The players move in turn, A commencing. A generally places 

 his first piece as in diagram 3, it being considered worth while to 

 separate the c harimau ' at the sacrifice of a piece. 



A is allowed to place his pieces one by one at any of the points 

 on the board, endeavouring all the time to enclose the two 'harimau' 

 completely. 



In order to try and avoid being hemmed in, X is allowed to 

 move either of his pieces any distance he pleases along any of the 

 parallel or diagonal lines passing through that piece's position, pro- 

 vided that none of the intervening spaces are occupied. 



e.g. in diagram 3, X may move one of his pieces from P to 

 any one of Q, K, S, T, etc. : — 



X is further allowed to take the ' kambing ' and this is done 

 exactly as in draughts (English variety, not Malay). The dotted 

 line in diagram 3, shows X ( ( harimau') capturing A ( f kam- 

 bing'). The ' kambing,' of course, is removed from the board. 



If A's 24 pieces are exhausted and the ' harimau' are not 

 hemmed in, then A has lost. 



Diagram 4 shows a defeat of the c harimau.' 



R. A. Soe., No. 80, 1919. 



