Contigo is an abstract strategy board game for 4 players related to both mancala and checkers. It was designed by Frank Thibault, a freelance game designer, and published in 1974 by 3M as part of their bookshelf game line.
Gameplay
Contigo takes approximately 45 minutes to play and is suggested for ages 12 and up. It is played by four players according to the original rules, but can still be played with only two. Contigo has a 6x6 board that is surrounded by pits, much like the ones in the game Mancala. Pebbles are transferred from pit to pit. The number of pebbles in a row/ column/ diagonal's pits controls how the pawns on the board move.
There are two sets of rules used to play Contigo. In the first supplied set, players try to be the first to align four of their pawns in any six space row. The row can be created either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, without opposing pawns between them. In the more advanced set of rules, Contigo becomes a capture game. In this set, the players try to capture their opponents' key pawns.