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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. |
