Variant Library
Draughts (Checkers) is a family of abstract strategy games with a shared core mechanic: diagonal or orthogonal movement with mandatory captures by jumping. The family traces back to Alquerque, documented in the 10th century, with regional variants evolving independently across Europe and the Middle East over the following millennium.
This library includes 20 playable variants spanning multiple board sizes, movement systems, and capture mechanics.
Standard Board (8×8)
- English Draughts — The most widely known form: diagonal movement, no flying kings
- Turkish Draughts — Orthogonal movement on all 64 squares, majority capture rule
- Russian Draughts — Men capture backwards, mid-jump promotion, free choice
- Brazilian Draughts — International rules on 8×8: flying kings, majority capture, delayed removal
- Pool Checkers — Men capture both directions, flying kings, mid-jump promotion, US tournament standard
- Italian Draughts — Men cannot capture kings, strict capture priority hierarchy
- Spanish Draughts — Flying kings, men forward-only, majority rule with king preference
- Czech Draughts — King captures take priority over man captures, mid-jump promotion
- Thai Draughts — 8 pieces per side, flying kings must stop immediately behind captured piece
- Bashni — Column stacking on 8×8 with Russian movement rules
- German Draughts — Men capture in all directions, flying kings, no majority rule
- Dameo — Linear movement by rows of pieces, orthogonal captures on all 64 squares
Large Board (10×10)
- International Draughts — Flying kings, mandatory longest chain, the competitive standard
- Frisian Draughts — International rules plus orthogonal captures, 3-move king limit
- Diagonal Draughts — Pieces start beside the playing anti-diagonal; majority capture rule
- Ghanaian Draughts — Men capture forwards only; reduced to one piece is a loss
Extended Board (10×8)
- Spantsiretti — Russian Draughts rules on a wider 10×8 board, 20 pieces per side
Large Board (12×12)
- Canadian Draughts — International rules on the largest standard board, 30 pieces per side