3) Draughts Draughts, also known as checkers in the United States, consists of a game of innumerable possible combinations, and hence enormous possibilities. Played with an eight-by-eight checkered board (one used also in chess), the starting pieces consist of 12 flat cylindrical pieces for each player, with each side having opposing colours, normally of red and white. The pieces are placed one each on the dark coloured squares, on the first three rows on each player’s side, with the row closest to the player called the “King’s Row”, something which will be of importance later in the game. There are two basic moves in the game. The first consists of a simple diagonal jump forwards by one square. The second is a similar move, but across two squares. In this case, the middle square must contain an opponent’s piece, which is hence captured and removed from the game. In the second, the number of jumps is limited only by the number of such possible moves, i.e. if upon jumping over an opponent’s piece, the chance to jump over another presents itself, the player is allowed to do so. It is necessary to note that in this game, moving backwards is prohibited to the basic set piece. Now comes one of the most essential components to winning the game, the acquisition of the “King” piece. A player does this by moving one of his basic pieces to his opponent’s King’s Row, upon which the piece is promoted. This piece is special in that it is capable of moving backwards and forwards, presenting a greater amount of flexibility to the player. |
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