Overview

Checkers (Draughts) is a classic two-player abstract strategy game played on an 8x8 board. Players move their pieces diagonally forward, capturing opponents by jumping over them. When a piece reaches the far row, it becomes a king and can move backward. The goal is to capture all opponent pieces or block them from moving.

Components

• 1 draughtboard: 64 squares (8x8), alternately light and dark
• 12 dark-colored pieces (Red)
• 12 light-colored pieces (White)
• Official board colors: green and white/cream squares; red and white pieces

Square size: 4.5-5 cm. Pieces: cylindrical, 3-4 cm diameter, 5-9 mm height.

Setup

1. Orient the board so each player has a dark (green) square on their near-left side.
2. Red pieces occupy the first 12 dark squares (squares 1-12, from the Red player’s side).
3. White pieces occupy the last 12 dark squares (squares 21-32, from the White player’s side).
4. The middle 8 dark squares (13-20) are left empty.
5. Determine starting colors by random selection. In subsequent games, alternate colors.

Turn Structure

Red moves first. Players alternate turns. On each turn, a player must make exactly one move.

Actions

Ordinary Move of a Man

Move one piece diagonally forward (left or right) one square to an adjacent vacant dark square.

Ordinary Move of a King

Move one piece diagonally forward or backward (left or right) one square to an adjacent vacant dark square.

Capturing Move of a Man

Jump diagonally forward over one adjacent opponent’s piece (man or king) to land on the vacant square immediately beyond it. The captured piece is removed after the jump sequence is complete.

Capturing Move of a King

Same as capturing move of a man, but may jump forward or backward.

Multiple Jumps

If a jump creates an immediate further capturing opportunity, the piece must continue jumping until all possible captures in that sequence are completed. All captured pieces are removed at the end of the sequence.

Promotion to King

When a man reaches the farthest row (king-row/crown-head), it becomes a king. Place a same-colored piece on top of it. This completes the turn – the newly crowned king may NOT continue jumping until the opponent has moved.

Mandatory Captures

All captures are compulsory. If a capture is available, you must take it. If multiple capture paths exist, you may choose any one (not necessarily the one capturing the most pieces). Once started, a multiple jump must be completed.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Win

The game is won by the player who makes the last legal move. This occurs when:

• All opponent pieces have been captured, OR
• All remaining opponent pieces are blocked from moving.

A player also wins if the opponent resigns, forfeits, or fails to meet time control.

Draw

A draw may occur by agreement, or under tournament rules such as:

• Neither player can force a win.
• Specific endgame piece configurations that are proven draws.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Touch rule: If you touch a piece on your turn, you must move it (unless announcing an adjustment first). If any part of a piece crosses a corner of its square, you must move in that direction.
• Illegal moves: First offense results in a caution and the move is recalled. Subsequent illegal moves in the same game result in forfeiture.
• An illegal move is pardoned if the opponent makes their next move without objecting.
• If pieces are accidentally displaced, replace them without penalty.
• A man cannot jump backward.
• A man cannot continue capturing through the king-row without being crowned (the crowning ends the turn).
• Each piece may only be jumped once during a single multiple-jump sequence.

Player Reference

Piece movement:

Piece	Ordinary Move	Capture
Man	1 square diagonal forward	Jump forward over 1 adjacent enemy to vacant square
King	1 square diagonal any direction	Jump any direction over 1 adjacent enemy to vacant square

Key rules:

• All captures mandatory
• Multiple jumps must be completed
• Reaching king-row = promotion (turn ends)
• King moves/captures in all 4 diagonal directions
• Cannot jump same piece twice in one sequence