Checkers, or as it is known in the UK, Draughts is a strategy game that is very similiar to chess and that has amazingly been around for a very, very long time. Checkers is somewhat like an art really. In order to be really good at it, one must know the 'tricks of the trade', which can only ... Read review
Advantages: Simple yet mind-boggling, very little luck involved Disadvantages: Many results end in draws
...very, very long time. Checkers is somewhat like an art really. In order to be really good at it, one must know the 'tricks of the trade', which can only be acquired by playing the game a lot, and by reading checkers literature too. It is once these tricks are found out, that checkers really becomes a beautiful and amusing game.
A small history lesson
==================
It seems that Checkers could have been played ... ...one of the greatest ever Checkers players.
The Rules of the Game
==================
Draughts is played on a checkered board, 8 boxes by 8 boxes. The draughtsmen (which is what the pieces are called) are situated on the darker squares of the first three rows of either side of the board. That leaves two rows between the draughtsmen of each player.
The draughtsmen can move one square each turn and ... more
Checkers, or as it is known in the UK, Draughts is a strategy game that is very similiar to chess and that has amazingly been around for a very, very long time. Checkers is somewhat like an art really. In order to be really good at it, one must know the 'tricks of the trade', which can only be acquired by playing the game a lot, and by reading checkers literature too. It is once these tricks are found out, that checkers really becomes a beautiful and amusing game.
A small history lesson ==================
It seems that Checkers could have been played as far back 1600 BC by the Pharoahs in Egypt. There are also references to the game in the Dialogues of Plato and in Homers 'The Odyssey'. However, modern draughts seems to have started in Spain with the publications of Anton Torquemada, as 'recently' as 1547.
The first world champion in the game was Andrew Anderson who had earned his title by beating James Wyllie in 1847...the latter would later become one of the greatest ever Checkers players.
The Rules of the Game ==================
Draughts is played on a checkered board, 8 boxes by 8 boxes. The draughtsmen (which is what the pieces are called) are situated on the darker squares of the first three rows of either side of the board. That leaves two rows between the draughtsmen of each player.
The draughtsmen can move one square each turn and can only move diagonally. In order to capture the other player's draughtsmen, there must be one square free behind the opponent's draughtsmen. If a capture can be made, then it has to be done, no matter the consequences for either player. In fact, this is many times used to capture many pieces in one move.
When one of your pieces reaches the first row of your opponent's side, then the piece is 'promoted'. That is, it becomes a king. The difference between a king and a normal piece is that whereas a king can move in all directions, a normal piece can only move forwards, even when capturing.
Finally, the game is won when your opponent either has no more pieces or else when your opponent cannot move any of the pieces he or she has left. Unlike some other games, checkers can also be drawn. Games are drawn when neither player is able to force a win, either through a lack of superiority in material or position.
Variations of the game ==================
Nowadays, there are many variations of the game. Probably, the most popular variations are: Spanish Draughts, Italian Draughts and Polish Draughts. I'm not going to keep on explaining how each of these are different because they are irrelevant really. However its always nice to know, that the 'British and American' way' isn't the only way :).
Why I like the game ===============
I'm a real big fan of strategy board games. I love games like chess, checkers, stratego and so on. The main reason I think Draughts is a beautiful game though, is because even if you are at a disadvantage (materially), you can still beat the crap out of your opponent if you're good enough. This is due to the enormous number of strategies and tricks that exist.
When Draughts is played by professionals, they divide the game into three bits : the opening, the mid-game, the ending. There are hundreds of strategies to go about with each part of the game, forcing each player to keep his full attention on the game.
What I dislike about the game ========================
Unfortunately, the game has been around for a very long time. This means that most strategies that were invented, have some sort of counter. This means that most games that are played (by pros) end up in draws. In fact, to win a title, there used to be 40 match games, in which only 2 or 3 used to be actually won!
To counter this problem, the 2 and 3 move restrictions were invented. This means that the first 2 or 3 moves of the game are drawn from a ballot beforehand and the match continues from there.
Checkers Material ==============
The checkers boardgame can probably be purchased from your local toyshop. You can also find some boards at EBay and from Amazon for about £5.99. There are also countless books written on draughts which include info on strategies and the like. You can probably find some related books at your local library too. I am currently reading 'The Compleat Draughts Player' of Irving Chernev and it is a top checkers book. It is probably out of print now so you will have to find one second hand. I also wish to mention that anyone who is interested in checkers can play at www.flyordie.com for free.
Hope you enjoyed my review and thanks for reading :) jeff
Advantages: easy to learn , widely available Disadvantages: often forgotten
...related to Backgammon , Chinese Checkers and Solitaire .
~0~ The Equipment ~0~
1 x Board on which is an 8 * 8 grid , usually black and white .
2 x sets of 8 counter , one set white , one black ( excepting America ! ) - often once side of each counter is inscribed with a mark ( see Kings later ) .
~0~ Set Up and game objectives / rules ~0~
Each of the two players play opposit each other , and at the start the counters are place on alternating ... ...only move in a diagonal forwards direction and one square at a time , providing the relevant square is free , unless when capturing an opponents piece / s .
To capture an opponents counter , you have to be able to jump over it and into a free square . Should further captures be available by said moved counter then the move continues .
The objective is to be last only player with counters remaining .
By reaching the opposit end of the board , you ...
CaptainKidd 10.01.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Checkers
Advantages: easy to learn and to play. Simple for all ages. Disadvantages: none.
Checkers (known as draughts by the yanks) is one of the oldest games around. It's been played for many centuries and there are versions of it with slightly different rules all over the world
If you've never played checkers, well, the rules aren't all that complex. There are two players, red and black. The game is played on a grid of 8 by 8 of alternating red and black squares, but pieces can move diagonally only on the black squares. Each turn a ... ...is the winner.
Because checkers is a relatively simple game it isn't surprising that many people have played.
Checkers is good fun and if you can play chess there should be no problem in getting to grips with it. If you don't play chess then getting a combined chess/checkers board and pieces is a good easy start. ...
scruffygit 12.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Checkers
Advantages: Very simple to set up and play Disadvantages: Not as compelling as chess
Checkers is a game of strategy and skill for two players. Setup
You play on the same board as a chessboard (i.e. A square board divided into sixty four even squares forming an 8 x 8 grid. You are given twelve pieces each and place them on the first three rows closest to you on every other square so that they diagonally touch.
Object of the game
The object of the game is simple. Remove all the pieces of your opponents before they remove yours.
... ...do not transfer into checkers. Checkers is a whole different beast. While I am only an average player there are a few rudimentary strategies to follow.
Try not to get pieces stuck on the edge of the board as this often gives the initiative to the opponent allowing them to chose when you will move this piece.
Try and manipulate your opponents position to force them to jump so that you can chain jump them, thus gaining pieces.
Conclusion
Checkers ...
Simoncook1 09.03.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Checkers
Advantages: The board can be used for many games Disadvantages: None
The well known game of Checkers, as our American cousins call it, is in reality good old English Draughts played on a chess board.
However the draught board and the draughtsmen can also be used for a number of other games. There's Cat and Mouse, sometime known as Fox and Goose, for a start and also Chinese Checkers.
Two players seek to outwit each other in an attempt to get one piece from one side of the board to the other.
The Cat has four pieces, ... ...animal, are placed on the black squares at one end of the board.
The Mouse represented by a white piece is placed on any of the four black squares at the other end of the board.
The Cat is only able to move forward whilst the little Mouse can go forwards or backwards. All pieces can only move diagonally.
The Mouse makes the first move and the cat responds by moving one of it's paws. During the game the Mouse cannot move onto a square adjacent ...
jimbuck 16.12.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Checkers
Advantages: Easier to learn than chess and sometimes more fun. Disadvantages: Not that easy for the younger ones, about 7 upwards.
A good game of checkers is hard to find today. I was 8 years old when I beat my Grandfather for the first time, and will never forget the look on his face, seeing as he taught me how to play (dumbfounded amusement I would describe it.)
The game is a lot more strategic than it looks, getting more interesting towards the end because you can build up more powerful pieces on the board to attack your opponent with.
This is a very good introduction if ...
MikeScoates 11.09.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Checkers
Advantages: All in the brain, you don't necessarily need to be a quick thinker, but certainly a deep one. Disadvantages: Those of you that have a short attention span, then this is not for you.
...
Tessa 28.09.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Go
I bought my son a tin of 15 games for christmas, which cost around £9 from Smyths toys, they are mostly all the older games and among the games is Draughts (Checkers), a game I have`nt played in years and to my surprise my 9 year old son already knew how to play it.
The game is for 2 players and suits children aged 6 years to adult.
Setting up
The board is black and white and there are 24 checkers, 12 are black and 12 are brown, each player puts their checkers on the black squares at each end of the board.
Playing
The player with the black checkers moves first, each player moves diagonally as a single checker on to the nearest diagonal black square, when a black square is empty behind your oponents checker, you may jump it, only by moving forward. When you have got to the first line of your opponents side of the board, you ...
jenny967 03.01.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Draughts
Everybody my age had TY beanies, they were adorable! My close circle of friends and I were huge collectors and between us we have most, if not all, of them going! One of these is Fidget the dog.
Fidget:
The name Fidget, for me, instantly conjures up images of boistrous dogs that wont settle down- the sort that drive you insane and end up taking them onto Doggy Borstal. Yet at the same time it gives an image of a loving, cute animal, and I was sure that is what I'd get with this Fidget!
Appearance:
To look at, Fidget is adorable. His fur is made of two colours: a light beige and a deep chocolate fur for his arms and legs. Around his neck there is a little checkered bow, which is very sweet and adds a little personal touch to his character. Focusing just on his face, he seems to have the same facial features and face shape as Winnie ...
