How to Play Deadlock
The complete rules, strategy guide and tips for the 1v1 tactical wall game.
Deadlock is a two-player abstract strategy game played on a square grid. It belongs to the same family as the classic board game Quoridor: each player controls a single pawn and a limited supply of walls. The goal is simple — be the first to reach the opposite side of the board — but every wall you place reshapes the maze for both players. A single game takes between two and ten minutes, yet no two games are ever the same.
1. The Board and Starting Position
The standard board is a 9×9 grid of squares (a faster 7×7 variant is also available). Each player starts with their pawn in the middle square of their own back row. Between the squares there are narrow grooves where walls can be placed.
| Setting | Classic | Quick |
|---|---|---|
| Board size | 9 × 9 | 7 × 7 |
| Walls per player | 10 | 6 – 8 |
| Wall length | 2 squares | 2 squares |
| Average game length | 5 – 10 min | 2 – 5 min |
2. Objective
Move your pawn to any square of the row on the opposite side of the board. The first player to arrive wins immediately. You don't need to reach a specific square — any square on the goal row counts.
3. Your Turn: Move or Build
Players alternate turns. On each turn you must do exactly one of the following:
- Move your pawn one square up, down, left or right (never diagonally, except in the special jump case below). You cannot move through a wall.
- Place one wall in a groove between squares. A wall is two squares long and can be horizontal or vertical. Once placed, walls stay for the rest of the game.
You cannot pass. If you run out of walls, you must move your pawn on every remaining turn.
4. Wall Placement Rules
- Walls must lie completely on the board and cover exactly two squares.
- Walls may not overlap or cross another wall (a horizontal and vertical wall cannot form a "+" at the same midpoint).
- The golden rule: you may never completely seal off a player. After every wall placement, both pawns must still have at least one possible path to their goal row. The game automatically rejects illegal walls.
5. Facing Your Opponent: Jumping
When the two pawns stand on adjacent squares with no wall between them, the player whose turn it is may jump straight over the opponent's pawn, landing on the square directly behind it. If a wall or the edge of the board is behind the opponent, the player may instead jump diagonally to the left or right of the opponent's pawn (as long as no wall blocks that side). Jumping is a powerful way to gain tempo — and a common trap in the endgame.
6. Strategy Guide
Count paths, not squares
The most important number in Deadlock is the shortest path length to the goal for each player. A wall is only good if it increases your opponent's shortest path by more than it increases yours. Before every move, compare both distances.
Don't spend walls too early
Beginners often throw all their walls in the first few turns. Walls placed early can be walked around easily. Experienced players advance their pawn first and save most walls for the midgame, when the opponent is committed to a corridor and a single wall can add four or more steps.
Build long corridors
Chaining walls into a long line forces your opponent into a lengthy detour. Placing walls end-to-end along one column (a "fence") and then closing the gap at the last moment is one of the strongest patterns in the game — just make sure you never fully close the path.
Leave yourself an exit
Every wall you place blocks you as well. Before building a fence, check that your own route remains short. Many games are lost because a player traps both pawns in the same maze.
Use tempo in the endgame
When both players are out of walls, the game becomes a pure race. Count the moves: whoever needs fewer steps (accounting for whose turn it is) will win. If you still have one wall left in that position, it is often decisive.
7. Game Modes
Play online against real opponents and climb the ELO leaderboard.
Create a private room and share a 4-digit code to play together.
Practice offline against Easy, Normal or Hard computer opponents.
Two players on the same device — perfect for learning the rules together.
8. Frequently Asked Questions
Is Deadlock the same as Quoridor?
Deadlock uses the same core mechanics as Quoridor (pawn movement, two-square walls, the path rule and jumping) with its own online modes, time controls, cosmetics and a 7×7 quick variant.
Can I block my opponent completely?
No. A wall that leaves either player without a path to the goal is illegal and cannot be placed.
Can walls be removed?
No. Every wall stays on the board until the game ends, so think carefully before building.
Who moves first?
In online and friend games the starting player is chosen randomly with a dice roll. Moving first is a small advantage, which is balanced over multiple games.
Is it free?
Yes. Deadlock is free to play in any modern browser — no download or account required.