Draughts · 8x8
Russian draughts
Classic Russian rules: flying kings, backward captures by men, and majority capture.
Board: 8x8 dark squares
At a glance
Board
8x8 board, 12 men per side on dark squares.
Captures
Men may capture backward. Captures are mandatory; among equal longest lines, you choose.
Kings
Flying kings move any distance on a diagonal and capture from afar.
On this page
1. Board and setup
Play on an 8x8 board using only the dark squares. Each side starts with 12 men.
2. Movement
- Men move one square diagonally forward onto empty dark squares.
- After promotion, kings fly any number of empty diagonal squares.
3. Captures
- Capturing is mandatory when available.
- Men capture by short jump and may capture backward.
- If several capture lines exist, take a line with the maximum number of captured pieces (majority).
- When several lines share that maximum length, you may choose any of them.
- Captured pieces are removed as soon as they are jumped, so the emptied square can be used later in the same multi-jump.
4. Kings
A man that reaches the opposite back rank becomes a king and continues flying if a capture sequence allows.
Kings capture from any distance along a diagonal and may land beyond the captured piece on an empty square.
5. Winning
- Win by capturing all opponent pieces or leaving the opponent with no legal moves.
- Draws by agreement, repetition, or insufficient material depending on tournament rules.