If you thought regular Noughts & Crosses was just a bit too straightforward, allow us to introduce Ultimate Noughts & Crosses—a twist on the classic game that adds strategy, cunning, and a whole lot of tactical thinking. It’s still a battle of noughts against crosses, but this time, every move has consequences far beyond a single square.
What You Need
- A pen or pencil
- A piece of paper
- A worthy opponent
- A sharp mind
Setting Up the Board
- Draw a large 3 × 3 grid.
- Inside each of the nine squares, draw another smaller 3 × 3 grid.
- You now have a grand total of nine miniature Noughts & Crosses boards—each one waiting to be claimed.
How to Play
- Players take turns placing their symbol (X or O) in any of the small squares within a grid.
- The twist: Where you place your symbol dictates where your opponent must play next.
- Example: If you place an X in the bottom-right square of a small grid, your opponent must play their O somewhere within the bottom-right grid on the larger board.
- If a move sends your opponent to a grid that has already been won, they get free choice of where to play next.
Winning a Grid
- Just like in classic Noughts & Crosses, a player claims a grid when they get three in a row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally).
- Once a grid is won, it’s marked as conquered—draw your symbol big and bold across it!
Winning the Game
- The ultimate goal is to claim three grids in a row on the large board—just like a standard game of Noughts & Crosses.
- Once a player does this, victory is theirs!
Strategy Tips
- Think ahead—every move dictates your opponent’s next play.
- Control key grids—securing the centre and corners can be game-changing.
- Plan your sends—forcing your opponent into tricky positions can turn the tide.
Now that you know the rules, it’s time to test your mettle. Grab a pen, find a worthy adversary, and may the best tactician win!