Aggressive: The Rush

'The Rush' is the most direct and aggressive opening strategy in Quoridor. The goal is simple: advance your pawn to the goal line as quickly as possible, ignoring wall placements in the early game. This strategy aims to put immediate pressure on the opponent, forcing them to use their walls defensively.

How to Play 'The Rush'

Key Principles

• Pawn First, Walls Later: For the first several turns, focus solely on moving your pawn forward. Do not place any walls unless absolutely necessary.
• Maintain the Center: The shortest path is a straight line. Try to keep your pawn in the central columns (d, e, f) to maintain the most direct route to the goal.
• Force a Reaction: Your rapid advance will force your opponent to be the first to place walls. This means they spend a turn on defense while you continue to shorten your path.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• High Pressure: It immediately puts the opponent on the back foot and dictates the tempo of the game.
• Simple and Direct: It's easy for beginners to understand and execute, as the primary goal is just to move forward.
• Effective Against Passive Play: If an opponent is too slow or hesitant to place walls, 'The Rush' can often lead to a quick and easy victory.

Cons

• Predictable: It's a very common strategy, and experienced players will know exactly how to counter it.
• Vulnerable to Counter-Walls: A well-placed wall from the opponent can completely stall your advance and force you into a long detour, wasting your early momentum.
• Consumes No Walls: By not using walls early, you save them for the endgame. However, this also means you are not building any structures or controlling any space on the board, leaving you vulnerable.

How to Counter 'The Rush'

The key to countering 'The Rush' is to use your walls efficiently to create a longer path for the opponent than the one you have for yourself.

1. Don't Panic: Do not mirror their rush. Let them advance a few squares. This gives you a clearer target for your walls.
2. The 'Counter Wall': The most effective counter is to place a horizontal wall (e.g., at e7) that forces their pawn to move sideways. This single wall can add 2-3 extra moves to their path.
3. Build Your Own Path: While they are navigating your defensive wall, use your turns to advance your own pawn. The goal is to create a situation where your path to the finish is shorter than their detoured path.