The game of checkers, also known as draughts, is one of the oldest and most beloved board games in human history. Over centuries, various cultures have adapted the core mechanic of jumping over opponent pieces into their own distinct versions. Today, checkers is a global phenomenon with dozens of regional and strategic variations. Here is a look at the top 15 most popular checkers variants played around the world today.
1. American Checkers (Straight Checkers)This is the standard version most players in the United States and the United Kingdom grow up with. Played on an 8×8 grid with 12 pieces per player, the rules are straightforward. Pieces move forward diagonally, and jumping is mandatory. Once a piece reaches the farthest row, it becomes a King and gains the ability to move and jump backward.
2. International DraughtsAs the premier competitive version of the game, International Draughts is played on a larger 10×10 board with 20 pieces per side. This variant features the “flying king” rule, allowing kings to move any distance along open diagonals. Additionally, regular pieces can jump backward, making the endgame highly dynamic and deeply tactical.
3. Russian Draughts (Shashki)Extremely popular across Eastern Europe, Russian Draughts utilizes an 8×8 board but incorporates elements of the International version. Regular pieces can jump backward, and kings enjoy flying privileges. A unique rule states that if a simple piece touches the kings row during a multi-jump capture sequence, it instantly turns into a king and continues the jump as a king.
4. Brazilian CheckersBrazilian Checkers is essentially International Draughts adapted to an 8×8 board. It uses 12 pieces per side instead of 20. Because it retains the flying king and backward-capturing rules of the 10×10 version, it offers a fast-paced, highly aggressive alternative that requires immense calculation in a tighter space.
5. Canadian CheckersFor those who find the standard board too small, Canadian Checkers scales the game up significantly. It is played on a massive 12×12 grid with 30 pieces per player. The rules follow International Draughts, but the sheer volume of pieces and the vast territory require unique long-term strategies and exceptional patience.
6. Turkish Draughts (Dama)Turkish Draughts breaks the mold by discarding diagonal movement entirely. Pieces move and jump orthogonally—forward, left, and right—on an 8×8 board. Each player starts with 16 pieces lined up on the second and third rows. The unique movement patterns create a completely different geometric puzzle compared to European variants.
7. Italian CheckersPlayed on an 8×8 board, Italian Checkers looks similar to the American version but introduces a strict hierarchy. Regular pieces cannot jump backward, and more importantly, a regular piece can never jump a King. This creates a defensive style of play where protecting and creating Kings is paramount.
8. Spanish Checkers (Damas)Popular in Spain and North Africa, this variant is played on an 8×8 board, but the board is rotated so that the double corner is on the lower right. It features flying kings, and ordinary pieces cannot jump backward. It also enforces a rule where players must capture the maximum number of pieces possible during a turn.
9. Pool CheckersHistorically popular in the American South, Pool Checkers blends American and international rules. It uses an 8×8 board and 12 pieces per side, but features flying kings and allows ordinary pieces to jump backward. The requirement to capture the maximum number of pieces adds a heavy layer of tactical trap-setting.
10. Frisian DraughtsHailing from the Netherlands, Frisian Draughts is famous for being incredibly complex. It is played on a 10×10 board, but pieces can jump not only diagonally but also horizontally and vertically. This multi-directional capturing rule opens up an overwhelming number of tactical possibilities on every single turn.
11. Czech DraughtsThis version uses an 8×8 board and 12 pieces. Regular pieces move and jump only forward. However, Czech Draughts gives distinct priority to King jumps. If a player has a choice between jumping with a regular piece or jumping with a King, they are forced to choose the King jump, regardless of the number of pieces captured.
12. Ghanaian Draughts (Damii)Widely played across West Africa, this vibrant street game uses a 10×10 board. While the rules are similar to International Draughts, the culture surrounding the game involves rapid-fire moving, slamming pieces onto the board, and lively psychological banter, making it a highly social spectator sport.
13. German Checkers (Dame)German Checkers is played on an 8×8 board with 12 pieces. It allows regular pieces to capture backward, but they cannot move backward. Kings are flying kings. The game strikes a balanced middle ground between the simplicity of American checkers and the deep complexity of the Russian and Brazilian variants.
14. Thai Checkers (Makhos)In Thailand, this variant is played on an 8×8 board with only 8 pieces per side, placed on the first two rows. Regular pieces cannot jump backward, but Kings are flying kings. Because there are fewer pieces on the board, games are lightning-fast and focus heavily on endgame maneuvering.
15. Suicide Checkers (Anti-Checkers)Suicide Checkers can be applied to almost any regional rule set, but it turns the objective upside down. The goal is to be the first player to lose all of your pieces or to be completely blocked from making a move. Because jumping is mandatory, players must strategically force their opponents to capture their pieces.
ConclusionFrom the strict restrictions of the Italian game to the multi-directional chaos of Frisian draughts, the world of checkers is incredibly diverse. Each variant reflects the strategic preferences of its region, proving that a simple concept can evolve into an endless variety of intellectual challenges. Exploring these top 15 versions offers a fresh appreciation for a timeless classic.
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