Russian Draughts

🎮 How to Play

Russian Draughts is played on an 8x8 checkered board between two players. Each begins with 12 pieces placed on the dark squares of the three rows closest to them. Players take turns moving a piece diagonally forward to an adjacent empty square. The core mechanic is capturing: if an opponent's piece is on a diagonal and the square immediately beyond it is vacant, you must jump over and remove it from the board. Multiple jumps in a single turn are mandatory if possible. A piece that reaches the far end of the board becomes a "King," granting it the ability to move and capture backwards, which dramatically increases its power. The gameplay revolves around strategic positioning and forcing advantageous captures.

🕹️ Controls

• Primary Control: Use your mouse or touchscreen to click or tap on the piece you wish to move. Then, click or tap on the highlighted destination square to confirm your move.
• Desktop Controls: While primarily mouse-driven, you can often use keyboard arrow keys to navigate the board and the 'Enter' or 'Space' key to select a piece and confirm its move.
• Mobile/Touchscreen: The game is fully optimized for touch devices. Simply tap to select and move your pieces. The interface is designed for smooth, intuitive play on smartphones and tablets.

🎯 Objectives

The primary objective in Russian Draughts is to capture all of your opponent’s pieces or block them so they cannot make a legal move. You achieve this by strategically advancing your pieces across the board, setting up forced capture sequences to eliminate multiple opponent tokens in one turn. Creating a King is a key short-term goal, as it is a powerful tool for controlling the board and securing your long-term path to victory. Every move should work towards dominating the board's center and limiting your opponent's options.

💡 Pro Tips

• 🎪 Control the Center: Prioritize moving your central pieces early on. Controlling the middle of the board gives your pieces more mobility and options, making it harder for your opponent to maneuver.
• ⚡ Plan Forced Captures: Always look several moves ahead to set up situations where your opponent is forced to make a move that leaves their pieces vulnerable to a multi-capture sequence on your next turn.
• 💰 King Me Safely: While getting a King is powerful, don’t rush your back-row pieces forward recklessly. Advance them with support to prevent them from being immediately captured after promotion.
• 🏆 Sacrifice for Advantage: Sometimes, offering a piece as a sacrifice can lure your opponent into a position that allows you to capture two or more of their pieces in return, swinging the game in your favor. Master this tactical trap.