Draughts: different rules of the game in particular countries

Even such a classic board game as draughts can evoke high emotions and make you acting under increasing pressure. Especially if it turns out that your opponent follows completely different rules of the game and insists on the kings' short movements. On the other hand, you still remember from your childhood the "huffing rule" - while playing draughts you need to be careful and not to omit any capture, otherwise you lose your piece. Check if the rules you follow are correct and what variant of the game you actually play in. Learn the rules specific to particular countries.

Classic draughts, also known as Brazilian draughts

Board

Players use the 8x8 board and place their pieces on the dark squares. The board is set in such a way that the first field on the left side of each player is a dark field. In this variant, the board is often green and players use white and red pieces.

Pieces

Each player at the beginning of the game has 12 pieces. The white piece starts a game. Pieces can move one space forward, diagonally.

Capturing

You can capture forwards as well as backwards. Capturing is mandatory. The player should also choose the most numerous capture sequence i.e. the one thanks to which he would capture as many opponent's pieces as possible. However, the king's capturing doesn't need to be a priority in this case.
If the player does not notice that he should capture the other player's piece(s), then he is obliged to move back to make a capturing move.

King

King can move diagonally any number of fields, forwards or backwards - these are called "flying kings". King can stop on any square behind the piece that was captured. A piece becomes a king if it reaches the promotion line of the board (the most distant row on the opponent's side) and stops on it.

International draughts, named also Polish draughts

Championships in draughts and many other tournaments are played following these rules.

Board

10x10, the game is played on the dark fields. Board setting - the first field on the left side of each player is a dark one.

Pieces

Each player uses 20 pieces (in four rows). The white piece is the first to start a game.

The other rules are as in classic draughts (Brazilian variant) i.e.:

Capture

You can capture forwards and backwards. Capturing is obligatory. The player should also choose the most numerous sequence of capturing (to capture as many opponent's pieces as possible) - it does not matter if the opponent's piece is a queen/king.
If the player fails to capture, he should move back and undo the error.

King

"Flying kings" - they can move any number of fields diagonally.
A piece becomes a king if it reaches the promotion line and stops on it.

Russian draughts (shashki)

The game variant that is popular in Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Azerbaijan and other countries of the former USSR. Also known in Israel.

Board

8x8 board, the game is played on the dark fields. The first field on the left side of each player is a dark one.

Pieces

12 pieces on the board, they move diagonally one space forwards.

Capturing

Capturing forwards and backwards is mandatory. However, the player is not obliged to capture as many pieces as possible, he can choose any capture. If the player does not notice that he should capture the other player's piece(s), then he is obliged to move back and to capture them.

King

Every piece that reaches the promotion line on the opponent's side changes into a king - however, it does not have to stop on this line. The characteristic of the Russian draughts is that the piece which while capturing crosses the promotion line, becomes a king (and it ends capturing as a king). The piece doesn't need to stop at the promotion line to become a king.
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English draughts, also known as American checkers or straight checkers

The game variant popular in Anglo-Saxon countries - in the United Kingdom, the United States, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

Board

8x8 board, the game is played on the dark fields. The first field on the left side of each player is a dark one.

Pieces

Each player has 12 pieces. The player using the dark pieces makes the first move. Pieces move diagonally, one square forwards.

Capturing

Capturing is obligatory, but regular pieces can only capture forwards. The player is not obliged to capture the maximum possible number of pieces, he can freely choose a sequence.

If the player fails to capture, he should move back and undo the error.

King

No "flying kings". Kings can make only short movements, it means one field forwards or backwards. A king can capture backwards. A piece becomes a king if it reaches the promotion line and stops on it.

Italian draughts

Board

8x8, set in such a way that the field in the bottom left corner is white - differently to classic checkers.

Pieces

Each player has 12 pieces

Capturing

Capturing is mandatory, but the regular pieces can only capture forwards. The player has to decide on the most numerous sequence of capturing - remember about the king's priority which means that capturing of the king is always more important that capturing of the regular piece. Last but not least, one king can be captured only by another king.

King

No "flying kings" - similarly to American checkers a king can only move one square and capture forwards as well as backwards. A unique feature of the Italian variant of draughts is that a regular piece is not able to capture a king.

Spanish draughts

Board

8x8 - the same as in the case of classic draughts, yet the game is played on the white squares.

Pieces

12 pieces on the game board

Capturing

Capturing is obligatory but pieces are only able to capture forwards. The player ought to choose the most numerous sequence of capturing.

King

"Flying kings" - it can move diagonally any number of fields.

Turkish draughts

Especially popular in Turkey and other Middle East countries (including Egypt and Lebanon).

Board

8x8, pieces are placed next to each other on all squares, both black and white.

Pieces

Each player has 16 pieces. The pieces are set in two rows - in such a way that one row at the very bottom and the one at the top of the board are empty.
Pieces can move only straight - forwards or sideways. Diagonal or backward movements are not allowed.

Capturing

Capturing is mandatory. The piece jumps over the opponent's pieces in a straight line. Multiple capturing is allowed - in such a sequence a piece can change the direction of its movement, e.g. the piece can capture forwards and then sideways.
The player should choose the most numerous capturing i.e. to get a maximum number of the opponent's pieces.
The variant of Turkish draughts is exceptional as just after capturing the piece is immediately removed from the game board. This characteristic allows jumping again over the same field during one movement.

King

A pawn becomes a king on condition that it reaches the promotion line on the opponent's side - a pawn does not have to stop on that line (similarly to the Russian draughts). A king can move any number of squares, horizontally or vertically (following the same rules as the rook in chess).

Thai draughts (Thai checkers)

The variant of draughts or checkers played in Thailand.

Board

8x8, set in the same way as the game board in classic draughts

Pieces

Each player has only 8 pieces (so they are placed in two rows). Pieces can move diagonally forwards.

Capturing

Pieces can only capture forwards. Capturing can not be skipped or postponed ("huffing rule") - if any player does not make a capture in his turn, then his opponent is allowed to take his pawn/piece. Consequently, the player who didn't notice his own capturing may lose his piece.

King

"Flying kings" - there is one exception, however, i.e. capturing a king has to stop on the field directly behind the captured piece .

Ghanaian draughts (also Ghanaian checkers)

Board

10x10, the game is played on the dark squares and set in such a way that the first field on the left side of each player is a white square.

Pieces

Each player has 20 pieces. The first move belongs to the whites.

Capturing

You can capture forwards and backwards. Capturing is compulsory, but the player can choose any of the possible sequences.
The player who stays with only one pawn/piece cannot continue the game - he is a loser.

King

"Flying kings", also a king is allowed to stop on any square behind the captured piece. The pawn becomes a king if it reaches the promotion line on the opponent's side and stops on it.

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