English checkers · Captures

Choosing among captures

English checkers requires a capture, but when more than one capture is legal you may choose among them.

5 min · 4 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 choice

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English checkers requires a capture, but when more than one capture is legal you may choose among them.

Coach narration

Step 2 · Which move follows the rule?

The dark man has two different jumps. Which move follows the rule?

Pick a move that follows the capture rule.

Quick check

  • Jump left
  • Jump right
  • Ignore the jump
Show the correct answer

Correct answer: Jump left — Correct. Either available capture is legal.

Correct answer: Jump right — Correct. English checkers allows either capture.

  • Ignore the jump — No. You may choose which jump to take, but you cannot ignore a capture. When a jump exists, one must be taken.

Coach narration

Step 3 · Practice one capture

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On the board: Choose left

Both captures are legal. Practice the left jump so the rule becomes a board action, not just a quiz answer.

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

The move: jump left

Captured. You chose one legal jump while still obeying mandatory capture.

Common mistake: Both jumps are legal, but this practice asks for the left one. Tap the dark man, then tap the highlighted landing square toward the left edge of the board.

Coach narration

Step 4 · Your pick, your position

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You took the left jump, so the other light man is still on the board. The rule only forces you to capture. Which capture you pick is your choice, and strong players pick the jump that leaves the better position.

Coach narration

What you learned

You can now choose among legal captures and execute one while still obeying the mandatory-capture rule.

Coach narration