Stratego questions, answered

What is Stratego?
Stratego is a two-player strategy board game with hidden piece identities. In the classic 40-piece version, each player sets up an army on a 10 × 10 board and tries to capture the other player's Flag, or leave them without a legal move.
Can I play Stratego online?
Yes. Stratego Online is the official browser destination reached from stratego.com. This independent guide also has a free 10-piece practice duel against a simple computer opponent. The two experiences are separate.
Can a Spy beat a Marshal?
Yes, when the Spy attacks the Marshal. If the Marshal attacks the Spy instead, the Marshal wins. Equal-ranked pieces, including two Spies, remove each other.
How many pieces are in Stratego?
The classic army has 40 pieces per player: 33 movable pieces, six Bombs, and one Flag. Editions vary: the PlayMonster booklet linked in our sources describes a 30-piece main game and a 10-piece Duel. Check the booklet supplied with your set.
Is this the official Stratego website?
No. Stratego Field Guide is an independent fan resource with original explanatory artwork and a small practice game. Stratego is a registered trademark of Royal Jumbo B.V. We link to the official online game and publisher rulebooks.
Can a Flag or Bomb move?
No. In the classic rules, the Flag and Bombs stay where they were placed during setup. They cannot move or attack.
Can pieces move diagonally or cross the lakes?
No. Movement is orthogonal: forward, backward, left or right. Pieces cannot cross lakes or jump over other pieces. Scouts have longer reach along a clear straight line.
What happens when equal ranks attack?
Both pieces are removed. This includes Spy versus Spy. The special Spy-versus-Marshal rule applies when the Spy attacks the Marshal, not to equal ranks.
What is the best Stratego setup?
There is no single setup guaranteed to win. A useful beginner plan protects a back-row Flag, leaves mobile routes, preserves some Miners and avoids a predictable arrangement every game.
Does the computer know my hidden pieces?
Its move-scoring logic does not use unrevealed opposing ranks. It can use positions, legal movement and identities already revealed by combat or a long Scout move. All game data is local to the browser; this is a learning tool, not a secure competitive service.
Are tournament repetition rules enforced here?
No. Our local practice adaptation does not enforce tournament chase or two-square repetition rules. It ends after a Flag capture, lack of legal moves, or a draw at 300 individual moves.

What is included in the practice board?

One Marshal, one General, two Miners, two Scouts, one Spy, two Bombs and one Flag on each side. Red moves first. Before starting, you can shuffle your arrangement or select two squares in your first three rows to move or swap your pieces.

Once play begins, revealed ranks remain visible to help you learn. The board supports pointer taps and keyboard arrow navigation. A refresh or new duel resets the match. There is no online matchmaking, persistent score, saved match or account.

For exact physical-game disputes, consult your edition's instructions. For tournament procedures, use the event's current rule set. Our source notes explain the differences between the reference booklets.

Checked against the rulebooks.

Classic 40-piece setup and ranks: Hasbro instructions (PDF). The 10-piece Duel roster and specialist rules: PlayMonster instructions (PDF). That PlayMonster booklet also describes a 30-piece edition; its full-game setup is different. Reviewed November 14, 2026. Strategy suggestions are editorial advice.

Our sources & editorial approach