How to Play English Draughts

THE PLAYBOOK · HENANYUFU

How to play English Draughts

Choose a round of English Draughts and settle into its rules. Capture or immobilise all opposing pieces under English draughts rules. Check the relevant rule before repeating a move. Compare the starting position with the example in the Guide. Look at what changes after your first action.

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

Build a steady rhythm

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. Refer to the controls when needed.

Your goal

Capture or immobilise all opposing pieces under English draughts rules. Read that aim before choosing your first action. Take a moment to understand the current position.

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. On a smaller screen, keep the active part of the board within view. 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. Compare this with the rule that governs the move. Verify the rule before continuing.

Watch out for this

These are English short-king rules, not international flying kings. Take a moment to reassess the position before continuing. 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