Tactics of Tigers/Baghs i.e How to win Baghchal as a Tigers/Bagh player

• Strategy 1: Keep tigers 2 rooms apart as much as possible
• Strategy 2: Do not get lumped in the corner of the board
• Strategy 3: Capture goats quickly in Phase 1
• Strategy 4: Bagh/Tiger player wins when he/she captures at least 5 goats

Strategy 1: Keep tigers 2 rooms apart as much as possible

The board position with ample possible rooms to move are important for tigers and in such positions they can maintain space for capturing goats. When tigers are 2 rooms apart it forms a trap zone for goats since goats placed on both rooms between the tigers are capture rooms for tigers. In most board positions, you should capture goats immediately when the goats are adjacent to the tiger and can be captured.

• Figure 1

For example, in the case of Figure 1, you can immediately capture the goat in the blue circle. It is important to remeber the placement and movement of the goats while keeping up to two room interval between the tigers. On the other hand, it's a good idea to make one room interval between the tigers too. This is because in such positions you can make room for jumping the goat placed in-between the tigers , Figure 2.

• Figure 2

Strategy 2: Do not get lumped in the corner of the board

The worst case for the tigers is when the all 4 tigers are lumped in the four corners on the board. In such position goats will be able to lock down the tigers in the fewest number of moves. Below are a few board patterns, let's evaluate how many goats are required to win in each cases.

• Figure 3

The case of Figure 3, total 17 goat piece will be required to block the tigers. The blue circle represents secure rooms where goats need not be placed.

• Figure 4

The case of Figure 4, goat piece is required 21 least, in theory that's an extra goat needed for winning as a goat. The blue goat piece represents the shortfall. In other words, the goat will not be able to win the tiger in this case.

• Figure 5

Case of Figure 5, 10 goats pieces are sufficient to block all possible moves of tigers.

• Figure 6

In Figure 6, at least 19 goats are needed. If there was no secure room inside the lump of the goats it would require more goats.

• Figure 7

For Figure 7, just 12 goat pieces will be sufficient.

• Figure 8

In Figure 8, just 10 goats as in Figure 5 are sufficient.

Strategy 3: Capture goats quickly in Phase 1

Capturing goats early in Phase 1 gives the tiger a significant late-game advantage by reducing the number of blocking pieces and ensuring better mobility. Since the board has limited rooms (and 20 goats pieces ), tigers risk getting trapped if they fail to eliminate enough goats early on. To maximize this advantage, the tiger should prioritize capturing isolated or "floating" goats, as unprotected pieces weaken the goat player's control and make it easier for the tiger to dominate the game.