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International Checkers
International checkers, also called Polish draughts, is played on a 10×10 board with twenty pieces per side. It emerged in 18th-century France and the Netherlands and is the form used in world championship draughts. Its larger board and powerful flying kings give it far more depth than the 8×8 English game.
International Checkers Rules
Each player begins with twenty men on the dark squares of the four rows closest to them. Men move one square diagonally forward to an empty square. Black moves first and players alternate turns.
Captures are mandatory, and men may capture both forward and backward by jumping an adjacent enemy piece into the empty square beyond. You must continue jumping in the same turn as long as captures are available, and when more than one capturing line exists you must choose the one that captures the maximum number of pieces.
A man that reaches the far row becomes a king, which moves and captures any distance along a diagonal — the so-called flying king. Captured pieces are removed only after the full jump sequence ends. You win by capturing or blocking all of your opponent's pieces; if neither side can win it is a draw.
International Checkers Strategy & Tips
Respect the majority capture rule
Because you must take the line that captures the most pieces, you can bait opponents into a forced sequence that wins material. Always check what your move obligates the other side to do.
Hold the back row
Keeping your two rearmost squares occupied stops enemy men from promoting and gives you a defensive wall to fall back on in the endgame.
Use flying kings to dominate diagonals
A king controlling a long open diagonal can threaten captures from a distance. Trade men aggressively once you have a king advantage to open the board for it.
Think in trade chains, not single moves
Strong draughts is about forcing sequences. Calculate the whole capture-recapture exchange before committing — a tempting jump can leave you a piece down two moves later.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is international checkers different from regular checkers?
It uses a 10×10 board with twenty pieces per side instead of 8×8 with twelve. Men can capture backward, kings fly any distance along diagonals, and you must always make the capture that takes the most pieces.
Are captures mandatory in international draughts?
Yes. If you can capture you must, and you must choose the move that captures the greatest number of enemy pieces. Failing to take the maximum is an illegal move.
What is a flying king?
A flying king is a promoted piece that can move any number of empty squares along a diagonal and capture an enemy piece from a distance, landing on any free square beyond it.
How many pieces do you start with?
Twenty per player, placed on the dark squares of the four ranks nearest each side, leaving the two center rows empty at the start.