How to Play English Draughts

THE PLAYBOOK · SJBOB

How to play English Draughts

Open English Draughts, check the instructions and begin a round. Capture or immobilise all opposing pieces under English draughts rules. Use the example below to understand a decision. Make your first input carefully and watch the result. Choose a clear next step rather than rushing through the instructions.

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

Make the controls familiar

Locate the buttons and input area before beginning a long round. Use the on-screen labels to avoid an accidental restart. Refer to the controls when needed.

Your goal

Capture or immobilise all opposing pieces under English draughts rules. Use the instructions to see which actions move you towards it. 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. Read the example below alongside these instructions.

A useful example

An adjacent enemy with an empty square beyond it requires a jump rather than a quiet move. Focus on why the action is allowed, not only its outcome. Notice the change in the playing area.

Watch out for this

These are English short-king rules, not international flying kings. A different version of the game may use a different rule. When a decision goes wrong, compare it with the common mistake described below. Start again only when you intend to leave the current round.

Common questions