How is Russian checkers different from English draughts?

Two big differences: in Russian checkers men can capture backwards (in English draughts they can't), and kings are flying — they move and capture along the whole diagonal. This makes Russian checkers faster and more tactical.

Is capturing mandatory in Russian checkers?

Yes. If a capture is available you must take it. There is no rule forcing the largest capture, but you still have to capture if you can.

When does a checker become a king?

When a man reaches the last row — the opponent's back rank — it is crowned a king and gains flying movement. If it reaches that row mid-capture, it promotes immediately and keeps capturing as a king.

Can I play Russian checkers online for free?

Yes — play Russian checkers free on Playza against the computer or a friend, in your browser, with no download.

Guides

How to Play Russian Checkers

Russian checkers (shashki) is one of the most popular draughts variants in the world. Played on an 8×8 board, it's famous for fast, aggressive games thanks to backward captures and powerful flying kings. Here's everything you need to play and start winning.

The board and setup

Use an 8×8 board with play on the dark squares only. Each player starts with 12 men on the three rows nearest them. Pieces move diagonally forward one square to an empty dark square.

Capturing (and why it's mandatory)

Captures are compulsory: if you can take, you must. A man captures by jumping an adjacent enemy piece into the empty square just beyond — and, crucially, men in Russian checkers may capture both forwards AND backwards. Captures can chain into multi-jumps in a single turn.

Kings fly

When a man reaches the far row it becomes a king. Russian kings are flying kings: they slide any number of empty squares along a diagonal and capture from a distance, landing anywhere beyond the jumped piece. A man that reaches the king row during a capture is promoted at once and keeps capturing as a king.

How to win

You win when your opponent has no legal move — either every piece is captured or all are blocked. Because captures are forced, you can win material by setting up positions where any capture your opponent makes loses more than it gains.

Beginner strategy

Control the centre, keep your back row intact as long as possible to stop promotions, and look for forced-capture traps. Count capture sequences before you move — the mandatory-capture rule means a single tempo can swing the game.

Frequently asked questions

How is Russian checkers different from English draughts?: Two big differences: in Russian checkers men can capture backwards (in English draughts they can't), and kings are flying — they move and capture along the whole diagonal. This makes Russian checkers faster and more tactical.
Is capturing mandatory in Russian checkers?: Yes. If a capture is available you must take it. There is no rule forcing the largest capture, but you still have to capture if you can.
When does a checker become a king?: When a man reaches the last row — the opponent's back rank — it is crowned a king and gains flying movement. If it reaches that row mid-capture, it promotes immediately and keeps capturing as a king.
Can I play Russian checkers online for free?: Yes — play Russian checkers free on Playza against the computer or a friend, in your browser, with no download.

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