Enclose Horse

A Simple Yet Intellectually Challenging Puzzle Game

Enclose Horse is an unusual puzzle game that requires players to think logically and use optimization techniques to score maximum points. The simplicity of the gameplay, together with the deep strategic aspect, quickly gets the attention of those who like optimization issues, such as LeetCode or Advent of Code, whereas it is still open to a wider audience.

What's So Special About This Game?

To begin with, the Enclose Horse was considered to be a purely academic optimization problem. However, through the development and testing process, the idea was fully transformed into a game, where every single move has a direct influence on the outcome.

The combination of algorithmic thinking and a relaxed gameplay experience is what gives this game its unique appeal.

Core Gameplay: Simple But Not Easy

What is your goal?

The single but not simple task:

• Use the limited number of walls to surround the horse in the largest possible area.
• The larger the enclosure, the higher the score.
• But be careful; you only have one chance to submit your score!

Rules You Need to Know

These vital rules are the keys to your domination in the game:

• A wall is placed by clicking on the grass square
• Walls are limited in number
• A horse moves only straight and cannot go through water
• A larger pen means more points
• Only one score submission is allowed
• Important Tip: Hover (or tap) over the horse to see its possible escape route before placing a wall.

More Than Just a Game—It's a Strategic Puzzle

This game of puzzles is not like the other usual ones; it makes players do the following:

• Foresee the horse's route
• Wall's position should be the best
• The size of the area and the number of walls should be balanced
• A player's thinking should be forward, as there is no opportunity to rectify mistakes.
• One wrong wall placement might be enough to ruin your whole calculated strategy.

Tips for More Effective Play

• Observe the map before placing any walls
• Predict the horse's entire path in advance
• Don't just think about blocking—think about maximizing area
• Slow and steady wins the race, as you only have one submission.

Other Games Worth Trying

• Jelly Runner
• Slide Down