Draughts
Learn how to play the Draughts game, master the rules, and explore fun variations of this classic strategy board game.
✍️ September 10, 2025
Draughts might look like “Chess’s laid-back cousin,” but don’t let that fool you. This board game has been around for centuries and is still a favorite in many parts of the world. Whether you call it Checkers in the US or English Draughts elsewhere, the goal remains the same: capture your opponent’s pieces before they trap yours.
The Draughts game is easy enough to learn but packed with strategy. It’s simple for beginners, yet offers enough depth to keep experienced players hooked. Ready to move your first piece? Let’s break it down.
👉 For something lighter but still tactical, Chinese Checkers turns simple hops into clever chains and surprising comebacks.
How to Play Draughts
Playing Draughts is all about smart moves and tactical captures. The aim is to eliminate all of your opponent’s pieces or block them from moving.
1. Set up the board
Use an 8Ă—8 board with each player placing 12 pieces on the dark squares closest to them. Dark usually moves first.
2. Move diagonally
Regular pieces can only move forward diagonally, one space per turn.
3. Capture pieces
Jump over an opponent’s piece into an empty square to capture it. Captures are mandatory if available.
4. Chain jumps
If another jump is possible after a capture, you must keep going in the same turn.
5. Crown your King
Reach the far side of the board and your piece becomes a King. Kings move diagonally both forward and backward.
6. Win the game
You win by capturing all opponent pieces or leaving them with no legal moves.
Draughts Rules
The official rules of Draughts are simple, but smart play makes all the difference. Here are a few key tips to keep in mind.
1. Mandatory jumps
If you can capture, you must capture—even if it’s not the best move for you.
2. Double and triple jumps
You must complete all available jumps in a turn, which can lead to massive swings in the game.
3. King power
Kings are the strongest pieces—protect them and aim to promote quickly.
4. Draw scenarios
If neither side can force a win, some players agree on a draw, but others award victory to the player with the most pieces.
5. Positioning matters
Keeping pieces near the center of the board gives you more flexibility and fewer traps.
Draughts Variations
The games Draughts family has many fun twists depending on where you play. Some add new movement rules, others change the board size.
1. International Draughts
Played on a 10Ă—10 board with 20 pieces per player. Kings are more powerful, moving across multiple squares.
How to Play International Draughts
Pieces move and capture like normal, but Kings can travel any number of diagonal squares, making them extremely strong. Captures remain mandatory.
2. American Checkers
The most common version, played on an 8Ă—8 board with 12 pieces. Standard rules apply, but draws are more frequent.
How to Play American Checkers
Pieces move forward diagonally, Kings move both ways, and mandatory captures apply. The strategy focuses heavily on positioning.
3. Turkish Draughts
Played on an 8×8 board but with pieces arranged differently—lined up on the second and third rows.
How to Play Turkish Draughts
Pieces move straight forward or sideways (not diagonally). Captures are made by jumping vertically or horizontally. Kings move multiple squares like rooks in Chess.
FAQs about Draughts
1. What is the Draughts game?
It’s a two-player strategy board game where the goal is to capture all opponent pieces or block their moves.
2. Is Draughts the same as Checkers?
Yes—Checkers is the American name for Draughts.
3. How many pieces are in Draughts?
Each player starts with 12 pieces.
4. Can a King move multiple squares?
Only in some variations like International Draughts; in standard play, Kings move one square diagonally.
5. Can Draughts end in a draw?
Yes—if neither player can make progress, it’s often called a draw, though some versions count remaining pieces.
