Checkers (draughts) online

Diagonal moves, forced jumps and a king at the end of the road. Checkers, or draughts as plenty of us call it, on Naija Table.

How to play checkers

Set up. Each player's pieces sit on the dark squares of the rows nearest them.
Move. Pieces move diagonally forward, one square at a time, on the dark squares.
Jump. Capture by jumping diagonally over an opponent's piece into the empty square behind it. If you can capture, you must, and you can chain several jumps in one turn.
Crown a king. A piece that reaches the far side of the board becomes a king and can move backwards as well as forwards.
Win. Capture all of your opponent's pieces, or leave them with no legal move.

Is checkers the same as draughts?

Yes. Checkers is the American name and draughts is the name used in Nigeria and Britain for the same family of games.

Do you have to capture in checkers?

Yes. Under standard rules, if a capture is available you must take it.