Dáma

Checkers is a classic two-player strategy board game played on an 8x8 board with alternating dark and light squares. Also known as English Draughts, it's one of the world's oldest and most popular board games, easy to learn but offering surprising depth.

Capture all of your opponent's pieces or block them so they cannot move.

Place 12 pieces for each player on the dark squares of their first three rows. In English Draughts, pieces are placed on the 12 dark squares closest to each player. Black traditionally moves first.

1. Regular pieces (men) move diagonally forward one square to an empty dark square.
2. Captures are made by jumping diagonally over an adjacent enemy piece to an empty square beyond it.
3. If a capture is available, you must take it (mandatory capture rule).
4. Multiple jumps in a single turn are allowed and required if possible.
5. When a piece reaches the opposite end of the board, it becomes a King.
6. Kings can move and capture diagonally in both directions (forward and backward).
7. Kings still move one square at a time (unlike International Draughts).
8. If multiple capture sequences are available, you may choose which to take.

Win by capturing all enemy pieces or by blocking your opponent so they have no legal moves. A draw occurs when neither player can win, or by agreement.

• *Control the center of the board - it gives your pieces more mobility.
• *Advance pieces in pairs to protect each other from capture.
• *Try to get kings early - they're much more powerful than regular pieces.
• *Guard your back row to prevent easy enemy king promotions.
• *Look for double-jump opportunities to capture multiple pieces.
• *Force trades when you have more pieces; avoid trades when behind.
• *In the endgame, kings should hunt down opponent's remaining pieces.

• International Draughts: Played on 10x10 board, kings can fly (move multiple squares), longest capture sequence required.
• Brazilian Draughts: 8x8 board with flying kings and mandatory longest capture.
• Russian Draughts: Flying kings, men can capture backwards but not move backwards.