How to Play English Draughts

THE PLAYBOOK · HTSIFA

How to play English Draughts

Start English Draughts by looking at the playing area and its controls. Capture or immobilise all opposing pieces under English draughts rules. Check the relevant rule before repeating a move. Use the opening round to become familiar with the layout. Use the example below to understand a decision.

Local two players; an automatic draw follows 80 quiet non-promotion half-moves.

Read before acting

Read one step at a time and try it on the playing area. Match the instruction to the control you use. Make the next step deliberately.

Your goal

Capture or immobilise all opposing pieces under English draughts rules. Keep that objective in view throughout the round. Follow this game’s rules rather than another version’s.

Step by step

1. Select a piece, then its legal diagonal destination.
2. A capture must be taken when available.
3. Continue a jump chain with the same piece; promotion ends that capture turn.
4. Kings move and capture diagonally both ways.

Controls

Click or tap a piece and destination; use the turn indicator and legal-move feedback. A careful first action helps you become familiar with the layout. Avoid pressing the same control repeatedly while a move is being processed.

A useful example

An adjacent enemy with an empty square beyond it requires a jump rather than a quiet move. Use the example as a guide rather than a substitute for reading your board. Read the matching step again.

Watch out for this

These are English short-king rules, not international flying kings. Read the feedback to see why an action did not have the expected result. Take enough time to read a new position. If a game has a timer, learn its controls first rather than searching for them during the round.

Common questions