Checkers (draughts) game
Checkers — a logic game for two players. On a board divided into squares of two colors, players move black and white pieces, trying to capture or block the opponent’s checkers. There are several variations of the game that differ in additional rules, board size, and the number of players.
Variants of checkers include Alquerque, Go, Ko-Wai, Patrunkuli, Backgammon, Renju, and others. The name "checkers" comes from "checkered" — meaning checkered pattern. The board used for chess is also called by the same name. Unlike chess-type games, checkers pieces are of equal value.
History of the game
The exact time and place where checkers was invented is unknown. It is likely that similar games independently appeared at different times among many peoples worldwide. This is evidenced by the variety of versions — the Italian Tavola Reale, the Spanish Tables Reales, the Greek Tavli, the English Draughts, and many others.
Egyptian depictions of the game and mentions in Ancient Greece indicate its ancient origins. In Russia, the game was known as early as the 3rd century. Checkers became widespread in Europe during the Middle Ages, and its popularity has been growing ever since.
Since the mid-19th century, checkers championships have been held regularly, mostly at the national level. The 100-square French checkers became the international standard. In 1947, the World Checkers Federation was established. Since 1973, there have been championships for women, since 1983 for Brazilian checkers, since 1993 for Russian checkers, and since 2014 for Turkish checkers. World and continental cups, as well as regular international tournaments, confirm the global popularity of checkers.
Interesting facts
- The first world champion in international checkers was the Frenchman Isidore Weiss, who held the title for 18 years.
- The relationship between checkers and chess is evident — both games use a checkered board and black-and-white pieces. It is believed that the diagonal movement in checkers was borrowed from the chess queen.
- The first books about checkers appeared in Spain in the mid-16th century.
- In the Middle Ages, checkers was one of the few games allowed by the church. The education of knights included training in checkers.
The simple rules of checkers are combined with the need for strategic thinking and the absence of randomness. The game requires concentration and analysis, making it an excellent mental exercise. Play checkers online to keep your cognitive skills sharp!
