Abstract: A strategic pattern building game that includes a marker matrix configured to receive playing markers along an insertion edge of the marker matrix and guide each of the playing markers into one of a plurality of predefined positions. The marker matrix is further configured to define a plurality of parallel channels that segregate the plurality of predefined positions into one of horizontal rows and vertical columns. Each of the plurality of parallel channels is configured to receive a playing marker into an insertion position adjacent the insertion edge of the marker matrix. A previously inserted playing marker present in a channel and located at a prior position is urged into an adjacent position characterized as being adjacent to the prior position and displaced one predefined position further away from the insertion position when a subsequent playing marker is inserted into the insertion position of the channel.