This is often the first strategy board game that we are taught as children. As we move up to chess or backgammon and it's easy to think that this game is too simple to return to. I played this over Christmas and was surprised at how enjoyable and difficult it was. If you have any kind of games compendium then draughts should be included, otherwise a board and counters are not too difficult to forage for.

A Game for 2 Players

Background
It made it's first appearance in France, during the 12th century. It is taken very seriously in the proper circles. There are tournaments every year where champions can see as many as 15 of 20 moves ahead!

To Start
Draughts is played on a 64 square chess board. Take 12 counters of one colour and place one on each of the black squares in the first 3 rows of your side. Your opponent does the same.

To Play
The object of the game is to capture all of your opponent's pieces or block them so they cannot be moved. Pieces are always moved diagonally, 1 square at a time, towards the opponent's side of the board. You play the entire game on the black squares, you do not need the white ones.

Capturing
You can capture an enemy piece by hopping over it. Capturing is also done on the diagonal. You have to jump from the square directly next to your target and land on the square just beyond it. Your landing square must be vacant. The piece captured is removed from the board. If you are able to make a move that results in a capture then you must.

Multiple Captures
It is legal to capture more than 1 piece on a single move so long as the jumping piece has vacant landing spots in between. You cannot take 2 in a row you must land and "take off" again. The pieces are removed. If you are able to make a move that results in a capture then you must.

Kings
If you can get a piece all the way to the other side of the board, that piece becomes a king. Place a previously captured piece on top of the existing one in order to distinguish it from your other pieces. This piece can move backwards or forwards diagonally. Towards the end of the game all the pieces will be Kings, which changes the strategy significantly.

To Win
Capture all your opponents pieces.