Articles LifestyleFacts about checkers (or draughts!)
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Facts about checkers (or draughts!)

By Rachel - Silversurfers Assistant Editor Jul 23, 2020

Draughts, or checkers, is a brilliantly simple strategy game.

Traditionally played by two players, it involves diagonal moves across the game board – you win by capturing opponent pieces and reaching the other side of the board.

‘Check’ out our interesting facts about this popular game, and then give it a go yourself. You can play online for free with Silversurfers Games.

  • Checkers is traditionally played on an 8×8 checked board, but there are many different variations of the game – another popular format is a 10×10 checked board played with 20 pieces.
  • Checkers and chess can be played on the same board
  • Though similar in name, ‘Chinese Checkers’ is a completely different game – and was invented in Germany!
  • Historians have traced a form of the game of checkers as far back as 3000BC
  • Though often called checkers now, this game was originally known as draughts, a name that derives from the verb meaning to draw or move
  • Checkers is based on an ancient game called Alquerque
  • A new rule was introduced in the 13th century: crowning
  • The concept of ‘jumping’ another player wasn’t introduced until 1535
  • In 1994, a computer became the World Checkers Champion for the first time
  • World English Draughts tournaments began in the mid-1800s
  • To make the game more challenging, tournaments often impose time limits – players must complete their move within the allotted time

Do you enjoy playing checkers? 

 

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Rachel - Silversurfers Assistant Editor

Hello there! I’m Rachel and I’m the Assistant Editor for Silversurfers. I work behind the scenes to bring interesting, informative and entertaining subject matter to the Silversurfers community. I hope you enjoy the features we have shared with you. Please feel free to comment below and share your thoughts with us, we love to hear from you!

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