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'''Checkers''' (more commonly known as draughts) is the name of a group of [[board game]]s where the object is to capture enemy pieces by jumping over them. They are relatively simple, easy, and quick, and are very popular as a result
=== History ===
The game of draughts is thought to have originated in around [[1100]] AD, probably is southern France. It is thought the inventor created this board game by using a [[Chessboard]] with the rules of [[Alquerque]].
The pieces were originally called "ferses", the name that was given to [[Queen (chess)|chess queens]] at the time, and the draught ferses moved in the same way as the queen did in chess. Note however at this time, the queen was able only to move one square per turn. The one new move this game introduced was the ability to jump over opponent's pieces and take them. At this time the game was known as "Fierges".
In [[Philip Mouskat|Philip Mouskat's]] "Chronique" ([[1243]]) is a reference to the use of "Kings" suggesting that the ability to promote a piece existed at this time.
When in Chess "ferses" were renamed to "Dame", the same occured in Draughts, the games name also changed to "Dames". While it is thought that the original Fierges had a compulsory capture rule, there is no evidence that this rule existed in Dames. This rule was however reintroduced in [[France]] in the year [[1535]]. Modern play includes this rule.
The name "Checkers" originated with European [[settlers]] in the [[USA]].
=== Rules ===
[[English]] Checkers (draughts) is played on an 8x8 [[Chessboard]], but only uses the black squares. The rules are:
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* Each side starts with 12 pieces on the last three rows of the board.
* Each turn, a player can move one of his pieces diagonally forward or jump diagonally forward over a series of enemy pieces, which are then removed from the board. Captures are mandatory, however, if different captures are possible, any of them can be chosen.
* Multiple Captures are possible, and if started must be completed.
* When a piece reaches the opposite side, it becomes a king with the ability to move and jump diagonally backwards.
* A player who cannot make a move loses.
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In tournament checkers, a variation called three-move restriction is preferred. The first three moves are drawn at random from a set of accepted openings. Two games are played with the chosen opening, each player having a turn at either side. This tends to reduce the number of draws and can make for more exciting matches. Three-move restriction has been played in the United States championship since 1934. A two-move restriction was used from 1900 until 1934 in the United States, and in Great Britain until the 1950's. Before 1900, championships were played without restriction: this style is called go-as-you-please.
=== Computer Players ===
The strongest checkers player is a program called ''Chinook'' written by a team lead by Jonathan Schaeffer. [[Marion Tinsley]], world champion from 1955-1962 and 1975-1991, won a match against the machine in 1992. In 1994, he had to resign in the middle of an even match because of health reasons; he died shortly thereafter.▼
▲The strongest checkers player is a program called ''Chinook'' written by a team lead by Jonathan Schaeffer. [[Marion Tinsley]], world champion from 1955-1962 and 1975-1991, won a match against the machine in [[1992]]. In [[1994]], he had to resign in the middle of an even match because of health reasons; he died shortly thereafter.
=== Variants ===
* In [[Spanish]] and [[German]] checkers the kings can move as far as they want along any diagonal, like a [[Bishop (chess)|bishop]] in [[chess]].
* In international checkers, or international draughts, the board is 10x10 with 20 pieces each, and the kings move as far as they want on diagonals. This is popular in The [[Netherlands]], [[France]], some parts of [[Africa]] and some parts of the former [[USSR]] and other eastern European countries.
* In [[Turkish]] checkers pieces move straight forwards or sideways, kings moving like a rook in chess, so that both red and black squares are used. Each player starts with 16 pieces in the first two rows.
* In Halma
* [[Chinese Checkers]] is based on Halma, but uses a star-shaped board divided into triangles, and is played using marbles instead of chips.
*[[Walter Hellman]]
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*[[Marion Tinsley]]
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