Draughts vs Computer
English 8×8 or international 10×10 draughts against the computer, forced captures included.
How to Play
This trainer lets you play draughts against the computer in two distinct codes: English draughts on the classic 8×8 board, and international draughts on the 10×10 board played under FMJD rules. Switch between the two before starting a game — they are genuinely different disciplines, not just different board sizes. Click or tap one of your pieces to select it; the legal destination squares light up, and a second click or tap makes the move. Captures are mandatory in both variants and the game enforces this for you, so you cannot accidentally decline a jump.
The international 10×10 game adds the two rules that surprise players coming from the 8×8 board: the majority-capture rule, which obliges you to take the sequence that captures the most pieces, and flying kings, which move and capture along whole diagonals like a chess bishop. The 8×8 English game keeps the short king that moves one square at a time. Three difficulty levels are available in both codes, from a forgiving opponent for first games to a calculating one that will exploit every loose piece. Everything runs locally in your browser — no account, no signup, with your progress kept on your device.
Why This Game Is Worth Your Time
Draughts rewards a skill chess often hides: forced calculation. Because captures are compulsory, long combinations can be calculated to the end with certainty, and learning to see a five-piece shot land is one of the cleanest thinking exercises in board gaming. Playing both codes side by side is also the fastest way to understand why international draughts sustains a professional circuit: the bigger board and flying kings produce far deeper combinations. For the history and competitive structure of the game, see the draughts discipline page; for everything else playable on this site, browse the play section.
Practical Tips
- Count before you push. Because captures are forced, every advance can be the first move of an opponent’s combination. Before moving, check what jumps you are giving your opponent — most lost games are lost to a shot the loser set up personally.
- Learn the majority rule early on 10×10. When several capture sequences exist, you must take the one with the most pieces. Strong players use this to force you into bad captures, so practice spotting which sequence the rule will impose.
- Keep your back row intact while you can. In both codes, pieces left on your back row deny your opponent kings. Do not advance them without a concrete reason.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 8×8 and 10×10 draughts?
English draughts uses an 8×8 board, short-range kings, and no majority-capture rule. International draughts uses a 10×10 board, flying kings that travel whole diagonals, and the FMJD majority rule that forces the largest available capture.
Are captures really mandatory?
Yes, in both variants. If a jump is available you must take it, and the game enforces this automatically. On the 10×10 board you must additionally choose the sequence that captures the most pieces.
How do flying kings work?
In international draughts, a crowned piece moves any number of squares along a diagonal and may land on any empty square beyond a captured piece. In the English 8×8 game, kings move just one square at a time.
Do I need an account?
No. The game runs entirely in your browser with no signup. Your progress is saved in local storage on your device.
Which variant should a beginner start with?
The 8×8 English game has fewer rules to absorb and shorter games, which makes it the gentler entry point. Move to 10×10 once forced captures feel natural.
Prefer measurable training to full games? The cognitive tests section offers short, scored exercises you can finish in minutes.