Russian draughts · Variants

Russian draughts essentials

Russian draughts uses the same 8 by 8 dark-square board as English checkers, but men capture backward and kings fly along diagonals.

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 · Fast tactical draughts

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Russian draughts uses the same 8 by 8 dark-square board as English checkers, but men capture backward and kings fly along diagonals.

Coach narration

Step 2 · Key difference

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A light man has a backward jump available. In Russian draughts, what happens?

Choose the Russian capture rule.

Quick check

  • It must take the backward jump
  • It cannot capture backward
  • Only kings may capture at all
Show the correct answer

Correct answer: It must take the backward jump — Correct. The backward capture is legal and mandatory.

  • It cannot capture backward — That is English-checkers thinking. Russian men capture backward.
  • Only kings may capture at all — Men capture too. Kings are different because they fly along diagonals.

Coach narration

Step 3 · Take the backward jump

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On the board: Backward

Now make the capture. This is the move English checkers would not allow for an uncrowned man.

Tap the light piece, then tap the highlighted landing square behind it.

The move: russian backward capture

Captured backward. That is Russian draughts.

Common mistake: The jump is behind the light piece. Follow the highlighted guide.

Coach narration

What you learned

You can now recognize Russian draughts, capture backward with your men, and expect flying kings later in the game.

Coach narration