Draughts

A.k.a. ‘Checkers’. The teaser sounds like the next Peter Jackson LOTR movie.

SET UP

• The game requires a tabletop and chairs.

• 1 x 8x8 modular board. A ‘cross-hatch’ (checkered) pattern is optional.

• 2 sets of 12 tokens or stones in uniformed colors.

• The game starts with preset positions mirroring their opposing counterparts. If played on a checkered pattern, all pieces play on black.

• The player to move first is randomly selected.

• Players take alternating turns.

Number of Players

• 2

Objective

• To completely eliminate the opposing army.

Rules

• The pawns in this war game move forward diagonally one space at a time.

• A pawn can capture an enemy piece by jumping directly over the enemy unit to an empty space, to remove it from the board.

• A pawn can valiantly kill multiple enemy units if leapfrogging allows for the touchdown to ground (an empty space) between each leap on that turn.

• A pawn can leapfrog over one or more of its own fellow soldiers without penalty.

• If a pawn reaches the back line, it is promoted to King, ‘All hail his Majesty’ with the additional powers to move backwards diagonally.

Player Variations

• Normally played as a 2 player game, there are some team options.

• There are plenty of variations known by other game names.

History

• Draughts is an ancient medieval classic that is still popular today, most commonly known as ‘Checkers’ and played worldwide.

• Other aliases include ‘American Checkers’, ‘Arbonite’, ‘ Draughtsmen’, ‘Bee Brand Checkers’, ‘Betty Boop Checkers’, ‘Care Bear Checkers’, and many , many more.

Game Theory / Game Dynamics

• ‘Hugging the edges’ can provide protection, but also limit your movement options.

• This game teaches how and when to make sacrifices.

• Pack hunter tactics work. Use your pawns in teams to maximize their reach and protection.

• This game is a classic for teaching basic military strategy.

I hope you enjoy playing games,
as much as I have making them.