Objective of the Game
The objective of French Checkers, also known as Polish Checkers, is to capture all opponent's pieces or block them so they cannot make a legal move.
Game Board
- The game is played on a 10x10 board, which distinguishes it from the simpler 8x8 boards used in traditional checkers.
- Each player begins with 20 pieces.
Pieces and Setup
- Each player starts the game with 20 pieces, which are placed on the black squares in the first four rows of their half of the board.
Basic Rules
- Pieces move diagonally forward on the black squares.
- If an opponent's piece is diagonally adjacent and there is a free square directly behind it, the piece can be captured by jumping over it into the empty square.
- Multiple captures are possible and mandatory; a player must, when possible, capture multiple pieces in a single turn.
King Promotion
- When a piece reaches the opponent's home row, it is promoted to a King.
- Kings can move diagonally in any direction for any number of squares, much like the queen in international chess.
Winning the Game
- The game ends when a player cannot make any moves or all of their pieces have been captured.
- The player who can still make moves wins the game.
Strategic Tips
- Try to position your pieces for maximum mobility while keeping them protected.
- Consider moves that will force your opponent into unfavorable positions.
- Aim to promote a piece to a King as this provides significant strategic advantages.
Special Rules
- Capture Obligation: A player must capture a piece if possible. If a player misses a capture, it cannot be rectified.
- If there are multiple capturing paths, the player can choose which sequence to follow, but must capture the maximum possible number of pieces.
With these rules, you're ready to jump into a game of French Checkers even without prior knowledge of checkers.
