English checkers · Captures

Captures are mandatory

In English checkers, a capture is not optional. If you can jump, the board will make you jump.

4 min · 3 steps

This is the written edition of an interactive Boardgammon lesson — in the app, the coach narrates while you play every move on a live board.

Step 1 · Capture is mandatory

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On the board: Forced jump

In English checkers, a capture is not optional. If you can jump, the board will make you jump.

Coach narration

Step 2 · Make the jump

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On the board: Jump

Your man can jump the light piece. Take the jump — the rules will not let you play anything else.

Tap the highlighted dark piece, then tap the landing square beyond the light piece.

The move: 9x18

Captured. The jumped piece leaves the board.

Common mistake: A capture is available, so a quiet move is not allowed. Tap the dark piece, then tap the glowing landing square beyond the light piece.

Coach narration

Step 3 · Forced jumps

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Good. The captured piece leaves the board, and the turn passes unless another jump is available.

Coach narration

What you learned

You can now spot a mandatory capture and perform the jump on the real board.

Coach narration