Ghanaian Draughts (Damii)

Ghana · West Africa

West Africa's beloved street game, played at ferocious speed on a 10×10 board with 20 men per side. Games come with running commentary: skilled players taunt, celebrate and name their combinations out loud.

Captured 0
Captured 0
Note: a few tournament subtleties (draw rules, rare priority cases) are simplified in this online version.

Rules

  • Men move diagonally forward and may capture both forward and backward.
  • Kings fly along the diagonals.
  • Capturing is compulsory, but the longest chain is not required.
  • Traditionally, overlooking a capture lets the opponent claim the offending piece.

About the game

Damii is a spectator sport in Ghana, Nigeria and across West Africa — crowds gather around street boards, and trash-talk is considered part of good play. The rules sit in the international family, but the fast, punitive culture around missed captures gives the game a completely different rhythm.