Checkers is classic board game. The rules of draughts encourage you to think several steps ahead. The game develops logical thinking, memory, concentration and shifting skills.
Other classic board games
Love time-tested games? Some you played when you were little, others your parents or even grandparents played.
Domino - Has anyone else in this world not heard the name of this game? You can play dominoes according to the rules (by placing the tiles in the correct order next to each other). But there is also another way to play the game - by placing the dominoes on the edges and then pushing one of them over. What happens then? All the dominoes fall to the ground in a neat chain. Children really like this way of playing. So try out the real rules as well as these. You'll have fun either way.
Bingo - a game where you swipe the numbers written on your cards. You can make your own cards or buy them together with game tokens or a ball draw wheel. The first person to cross off all the numbers wins. The important thing is to be able to call out 'Bingo' in time.
Game description
The aim of checkers is to cut off all of your opponent's checkers or to surround your opponent's checkers so that they can no longer move from their position. The opponent then has to surrender.
Preparing for the game
The game set includes:
- 8×8 game board (8×8 is the most common size, but other options are available);
- 24 checkers (if the board is larger, the number of checkers changes).
Frequently asked questions
❓ How many people can play checkers?
According to the rules of draughts, you can play 2 people.
❓ From what age can I play checkers?
Although the game of checkers may not seem very easy, even very young children can learn its rules. The official age of players is from 3 years.
Before the game, 12 white and 12 black checkers are placed on the board (the colour of the checkers may vary from one brand to another). The pieces must be placed on the black cells of the board. Place 4 checkers on the three lines closest to the player.
Checkers rules
Going
The game is usually started by the white player. The checkers can only walk diagonally across the black cells of the board. Ladies' moves have more options. A move is complete when the player removes his hand from the checker with which the move was made.
Crossings. The rules of draughts oblige you to make them.
When an opponent's checker is jumped over, it is cut and removed from the board. If a player's turn has a crossing option, he must perform this action. When a player has several checkers in his path that he can jump over, he must cross them all. The crossing is done by moving both forwards and backwards. It is not possible to cross one's own checkers.
Ladies
When the checker reaches the end line (closest to the opponent), it becomes queen. It is possible to become queen even when crossing another checker, provided that the action is followed by a check on the end line. The piece is then flipped over to distinguish it from a regular checker. Queens may no longer walk in 1 box. Their moves extend to the other end of the board. Even if there are free spaces in front of an opponent's checker, it is compulsory to cross the opponent's checkers that are in the way and stop in the free box behind them during the move.
It is important to pay attention to the following checkers rules:
- If played on an 8×8 board, 24 checkers are used. Lithuanian Draughts Federation organises competitions on a 10×10 board. 40 checkers are then placed on the board;
- You can only go forward (towards the opponent's side of the board). You cannot go back;
- The crossing can go both ways;
- Felling is compulsory;
- A lady can walk from one end of the board to the other, even if she is not doing the crossing;
- It is forbidden to cross your checkers;
- A lady is not allowed to jump over her checkers.
End of game
A game of checkers ends when all checkers of one colour have been hit. When it is no longer possible to do anything with your own checkers, then the game is also declared over.
