The Fundamental Concept
At its core, Draughts (known as Checkers in North America) is a board game for two players which involves diagonal moves of uniform game pieces and mandatory captures by jumping over opponent pieces. It is a game of perfect information, meaning nothing is hidden and no luck is involved.
The standard version, English Draughts, is played on an 8x8 checkered board. The objective is simple yet deep: capture all of your opponent's pieces or leave them with no legal moves remaining.
A 5,000-Year Legacy
The history of Draughts is as ancient as civilization itself. Archaeologists discovered a board resembling draughts in the ancient city of Ur, dating back to 3,000 B.C. In Ancient Egypt, a similar game called Alquerque was played for centuries before evolving into the modern version we see today.
The transition to the 8x8 board happened in France around the 12th century, where the game was known as Fierges. Since then, it has become a staple of strategic culture across the globe.
Draughts vs Checkers: What's the Difference?
The primary difference is purely linguistic. In the United Kingdom, Australia, and most of the Commonwealth, the game is called Draughts. In the United States and Canada, the term Checkers is used. However, both refer to the same set of rules: English Draughts.
Beyond this, there are international variants such as International Draughts (played on a 10x10 board), Russian Draughts, and Turkish Draughts, each with unique piece movements and jumping rules.
The Solved Game & Modern AI
In 2007, Draughts made history when a team led by Jonathan Schaeffer proved that the game is solved. After 18 years of computation by the program Chinook, it was confirmed that perfect play by both sides always results in a draw.
At draughts.ai, we bring this level of grandmaster intelligence to your browser. Our neural engine uses advanced pruning and heuristics to simulate the highest levels of play, offering a training tool that was once only available to world-class competitors.
Draughts & Checkers FAQ
Is it Draughts or Checkers?
It is both. Draughts is the British English term, and Checkers is the American English term. They are the same game.
Can you jump your own pieces?
No. You can only jump over an opponent's piece. Jumping your own pieces is an illegal move in all standard variants.
What happens if I forget to capture?
In competitive play and in our engine at draughts.ai, captures are mandatory. If you have a move that can capture a piece, you must take it.
Who moves first?
In English Draughts, the player with the Black pieces (often represented as Red or Dark in modern apps) usually moves first.