Slitherine

We had the above situation in a game. My opponent wanted to turn his unit (3 green bases) 90 degrees into melee. I said he could not as the single read base was an overlap. So he took and passed a CMT, then moved forward thus:



and the turned:



Is this OK?

Is this OK?

I don't believe so - no. The relevant rules are on pages 82 & 84.

petedalby wrote:

Is this OK?

I don't believe so - no. The relevant rules are on pages 82 & 84.

I did look and on p82 an overlap is 'side edge to side edge contact with an enemy base in front edge contact with friends'. So in the original position the third base is in a position to be an over lap. BUT if the passed they test to move and turn then after the initial movement he is NOT in a position to be an overlap.
So on p84 'If not eligible to fight as an overlap, they can engage in melee as follows: turn 90 degrees etc.'

So the point of contention is can they move away to stop being an overlap and then turn

So the point of contention is can they move away to stop being an overlap and then turn

I still don't believe so - no.

Page 82 - 1st sentence - BGs can only move into contact as an overlap in the manoeuvre phase. And then later it states that 'Any other contact must wait until the next impact phase and is initiated by charging.'

Page 84 - side edge to side edge contact - "If not eligible to fight as an overlap they can can engage in melee as follows:" But they are eligible to fight as an overlap so they cannot move into contact.

I believe the most effective moves open to them are to contract into a column so that they contribute 2 bases to the melee. Or to move beyond the enemy, turn and do a rear charge in their next turn.

. Or to move beyond the enemy, turn and do a rear charge in their next turn.

To do that they'd need to get their rear more than one MU past the enemy rear, then turn in a subsequent move, then charge the move after that. The game is usually over by then

To do that they'd need to get their rear more than one MU past the enemy rear

Why so?

You cannot wheel within a MU and count as a flank charge

You cannot wheel within a MU and count as a flank charge

Agreed. I was suggesting a rear charge to be the best option.

petedalby wrote:

You cannot wheel within a MU and count as a flank charge

Agreed. I was suggesting a rear charge to be the best option.

But still 3 turns away

But still 3 turns away

So a contraction to get 2 bases fighting as an overlap is the way to go.