How to play draughts: rules and capture sequences
8×8 draughts: setup, compulsory captures, multiple jumps, promotion and our two local settings. Includes explained board diagrams.
Read guideGAME GUIDES
Draughts and checkers: rules, variants and guides
Draughts is a family of games. Discover how movement, captures and tournament rules differ.
Begin with our 8×8 rules. The variant guide separates them from international, English, Russian, Brazilian and Italian rule sets.
Rules
Strategy & tactics
Draughts strategy: make compulsory captures work for you
Calculate complete capture sequences, protect promotion routes and distinguish material from mobility. Includes original exercises.
Read guideHistory
Draughts history: a family rather than one game
Why draughts has different names and rules, how to read historical evidence and what a solved game actually means.
Read guideVariants & regions
Draughts around the world: which rules change?
Compare English, international, Russian, Brazilian and Italian draughts. Separate board size, capture direction, capture priority and king movement.
Read guideCompetition
Competitive draughts: establish the rules first
Free openings, drawn starting positions, notation, clocks and draw procedures: prepare for a draughts tournament.
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