Indeed, that was the first thing I tried (using arrow keys) and when nothing happened I said, "Oh so it's not like 2048 at all, okay... let me check the game instructions since I'm lost now."

Apparently he is worth 1024 so you can take him when you have a 1024 piece, and win. I didn't realise this (or that he takes pieces when cornered - I avoided that, assuming a stalemate would mean losing) so played it right through to a regular 2048 which took a verrry long while.