Backscore (2022)

Backscore is a perfect-information game played on a 7x11 grid, in which each player controls a five-piece team and coach in a heavily abstracted sport scenario. Points are scored by moving a neutral 'ball' piece back into a section of one's own back row, having pieces kick it about.

Play is progressive - that is, the first player moves one piece, the second moves two, and thereafter each turn involves moving three pieces. Moves are 'slides', much like a queen in chess, but each piece must move as far as possible - meaning that the challenges of the game are less about speed (action is quick and can range rapidly around the board), and more about strategizing to keep good control over one's pieces and setting up good positionings.

Backscore is a more-complex descendant (different enough that it escapes being a plain variant, but close enough credit is important to give) of Neutron by Robert Krauss.