“The objective of the game is to capture all of your opponent's pieces”

  It seems that the origins of modern traditional Chess arose in the 5th century AD in northwest India. It is not known for sure who invented the original concept for this amusement. Alongside traditional Chess and played on the exact same board is the game of Draughts or, Checkers. The 12 pieces on each side move diagonally and forward on the board on the same coloured dark cells from their initial starting positions on Rank 1, 2 and 3.

  On reaching the top rank (Rank 8), they undergo a metamorphosis becoming Kinglets, this being indicated by placing one draught on top of a similar Draught that has been captured or, by turning the mp to its obverse position, upon which the symbol for a crown or, the royal letter K has been embossed onto its circular disk.

  It appears to be descended from Alqueque, which dates from 1,400 BC. The objective of this game-tree is to capture all of your opponents pieces or make them immobile. A capture must always be made if this is possible.  The disks are usually about 35mm in diameter, 6mm in depth and serrated on the circumference which allow the checkers to be gripped between thumb and finger.

  The 12 Draughts are placed on the dark cells of the board, the light cells being left vacant and unused during a contest. These diminutive combatants are permitted to move forward one cell diagonally but when capturing are allowed to vault over a diagonally placed adversary.

  This means that the Draught moves two cells forward on the capturing maneuver, the captured pieces being removed from the playing area and kept in reserve for when a minor is promoted to a major piece (Kinglet). All pieces start off being of equal value and all can become of equal value once again on reaching the 8th rank of cells (8 x 8 board).

  On being promoted a Kinglet is allowed to move one cell diagonally in any direction and may capture in the same manner in which they existed prior to their new emergent state. The contest is concluded when all the pieces of either player have been captured.

  The pieces used in this game-tree are referred to as a Draughts in Europe and Checkers on the North American continent.