Russian Draughts (Shashki)

Russia · CIS

Hugely popular across Russia and the former Soviet states. It starts like American checkers but its rules are far sharper and more tactical.

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

Rules

  • Even ordinary men may capture both forward and backward.
  • A man touching the last rank mid-capture is promoted instantly and continues the chain as a king.
  • Kings fly along diagonals.
  • Capturing is compulsory, but choosing the longest chain is not.

About the game

Instant mid-chain promotion produces spectacular combinations where a man becomes a king and sweeps back across the board in one turn. It is the standard school and club game across the former USSR.