Rules of Draughts: The Complete Guide to Playing (2026)

Draughts is one of the oldest and most widely played strategy games in the world. Accessible from age 6, it nonetheless offers a tactical depth that has captivated players for centuries. Here’s the complete guide to mastering the rules of draughts and getting started.

In summary: the rules of draughts

100-square board (10×10) in France, 64-square board (8×8) in England
20 pieces per player (12 in English draughts)
Pieces move diagonally, one square at a time, on the dark squares
Capturing is compulsory: jump over an opponent’s piece to capture it
A piece reaching the last row is promoted to a king
The king moves several squares diagonally, forwards and backwards
The player who captures all the opponent’s pieces or blocks them wins

Table des matières

Introducing draughts

Draughts is a two-player board game played on a board with alternating light and dark squares. Known as checkers in English-speaking countries, it belongs to the great family of abstract strategy games, alongside chess or backgammon.

The principle is simple: two armies of pieces face off on a board, and the goal is to capture all the opponent’s pieces or immobilise them. Despite this apparent simplicity, classic draughts holds considerable tactical depth, which has given rise to international competitions and an abundant body of strategic literature.

The board and pieces

There are two main board formats, depending on tradition:

Variant	Board	Pieces per player	Played in
French / international draughts	100 squares (10×10)	20 pieces	France, the Netherlands, Africa, international competitions
English draughts (Checkers)	64 squares (8×8)	12 pieces	England, United States, Canada
Russian draughts	64 squares (8×8)	12 pieces	Russia, Eastern Europe
Turkish draughts	64 squares (8×8)	16 pieces	Turkey, the Middle East

The board is made up of light and dark squares arranged alternately. All the action takes place exclusively on the dark squares: pieces never move onto the light squares. The pieces are usually black and white (or black and red, depending on tradition).

How to set up the board

To play draughts, start by positioning the board between the two players so that each player has a dark square in the bottom left-hand corner. This is the same orientation as in chess.

Each player then places their pieces on the dark squares of the rows closest to them:

French draughts (100 squares): each player arranges their 20 pieces on the dark squares of the first 4 rows on their side. The two central rows remain empty at the start of the game.

English draughts (64 squares): each player arranges their 12 pieces on the dark squares of the first 3 rows on their side. The two central rows remain empty.

The player with the white (or light) pieces starts the game. Players then take turns, one move at a time.

Movement rules

Simple moves

A piece moves one square diagonally, forwards only. It always stays on the dark squares. It cannot move backwards (unlike the king, which we’ll come to shortly). Nor can it move in a straight line or sideways.

Capturing

To capture an opponent’s piece, your piece must jump over an enemy piece placed diagonally in front of it, provided the square behind that piece is free. The captured piece is removed from the board.

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Fundamental rule: capturing is compulsory in draughts. If you’re in a position to capture an opponent’s piece, you must do so. You cannot choose to play another move instead. This is one of the rules of draughts most often forgotten by beginners.

Multiple captures

If, after capturing a piece, your piece is in a position to capture another, you must continue capturing within the same turn. It’s thus possible to eliminate two, three, four pieces or more in a single spectacular move. This is one of the most exciting moments in a game of draughts.

Under the majority capture rule (in French draughts), if several captures are possible, the player must make the one that captures the greatest number of pieces. This rule does not apply in English draughts, where the player is free to choose their capture.

The king: promotion and movement

How do you get a king?

When a piece reaches the last row on the opponent’s side of the board, it is promoted to a king. This promotion is shown by stacking a second piece of the same colour on top. The king is the most powerful piece in the game — rather like the queen in chess.

How the king moves

French draughts

The king can move as many squares as it likes diagonally, both forwards and backwards. It can also capture at a distance: it jumps over an enemy piece even if there are empty squares between them.

English draughts

The king can move diagonally one square at a time, but has the advantage of being able to move backwards. It’s a more limited version, but the principle remains the same: reach the far end of the opponent’s board.

The king is a considerable advantage: it can cross the board in a single move, capture pieces at a distance and change direction during multiple captures. Getting a king before your opponent often gives a decisive advantage.

Special rules to know

⚠ Compulsory capture

If you can capture, you must capture. If you forget, your opponent may ‘huff’ your erring piece in certain variants — though this rule tends to disappear in competition in favour of a simple reminder.

⚖ Majority capture

In French draughts, if several captures are possible, you must choose the one that takes the most pieces. King and man count the same in this calculation.

♞ Immediate promotion?

In French draughts, if a piece reaches the last row during a multiple capture, it is promoted to king but its turn ends there. It does not continue capturing as a king within the same move.

🏆 End of game

The game ends when a player has captured all the opponent’s pieces, or when the opponent can no longer move. Some games may also end by mutual agreement to a draw.

Variants of draughts

Draughts comes in several variants around the world. Here are the three most widely played:

Variant	Board	King	Majority capture	Specific feature
French / international draughts	10×10	Long range	Yes	Worldwide competition standard
English draughts (Checkers)	8×8	1 square, moves backwards	No	The most widely played in the English-speaking world
Russian draughts	8×8	Long range	No	A piece promoted mid-capture continues as a king

The classic game of draughts played in France and in international competitions is the 100-square version (10×10) with 20 pieces per player, long-range king and compulsory majority capture.

Strategies for beginners

Now that you’ve mastered the rules of draughts, here are a few tips to improve your game:

1. Control the centre

Pieces in the centre of the board control more diagonals and are harder to capture. Avoid advancing your pieces towards the edges, where they’re less useful.

2. Advance in groups

Isolated pieces are vulnerable. Advance in formation, protecting the rear of your pieces. A diagonal chain of pieces is almost impossible to break through.

3. Aim for promotion

Getting a king before your opponent is often decisive. Look for breakthroughs towards the last row, especially if you can sacrifice a piece to promote another.

4. Set traps

Learn to create multiple-capture situations. By offering a ‘sacrificed’ piece, you can force your opponent to capture and position yourself for a far more advantageous counter-capture.

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Expert tip: Draughts is an excellent introduction to strategy games for children. If your child has mastered draughts, they’re ready to move on to chess — a game that develops thinking, anticipation and concentration even further. Our travel sets often include both games.

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