Est. Ancient Origins · Codified 1756

The History & Evolution of Checkers (Draughts)

From the ancient game of Alquerque to William Payne's 1756 Laws of the Game — explore the complete origin of checkers and play by the original historical rules.

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Where Did Checkers Come From? The Ancient Roots

The history of checkers stretches back over three millennia. The game of Alquerque — widely regarded as the ancient ancestor of checkers and draughts — was played in Egypt as far back as 1400 BCE. From Egypt, Alquerque spread across the Mediterranean into medieval Europe, carried by traders, soldiers, and scholars.

The evolution of draughts began when European players adapted Alquerque onto the 64-square chessboard around 1100 CE in France, giving rise to what the French called Fierges — the direct forerunner of traditional checkers as we know it today.

c. 1400 BCE

Alquerque played in ancient Egypt — the oldest known ancestor of checkers and draughts.

c. 1100 CE

Alquerque adapted to the 64-square chessboard in France, becoming Fierges.

1547

Antonio de Torquemada publishes the first codified rules of Draughts in Spain.

1756

William Payne publishes A Treatise on the Game of Draughts, establishing the definitive Laws of the Game.

19th–20th C.

The American term "checkers" becomes widespread. Lee's Guide to the Game of Draughts further refines the standard laws.

Checkers HistoryOrigin of CheckersAlquerqueAncient Board GamesEvolution of DraughtsClassic Board GamesTraditional Checkers

The Original Rules: William Payne & Antonio Torquemada

Antonio de Torquemada (1547) and William Payne (1756) are the two most important figures in the codification of historical draughts rules. Torquemada established the foundational precepts: movement restricted to dark squares, mandatory forward-diagonal movement, and the obligation to capture. Payne's 1756 treatise added the famous Huff Rule, Touch-Move, time limits, and the crowning ceremony for Kings.

How to Play by the 1756 Rules

Pieces are called Black Men and White Men. The Black Men always move first. Captures are mandatory. Kings — crowned upon reaching the opponent's back row — move both forward and backward. The Huff enforces the capture obligation. A three-minute call and five-minute forfeit govern pace of play, exactly as Payne prescribed in 1756.

William Payne Draughts1756 Checkers RulesAntonio Torquemada CheckersHistorical Draughts RulesOriginal Rules of CheckersClassic Draughts Strategy
The Game of Draughts
— Version 1.7  ·  According to the Ancient Laws —
Black Men: 12
White Men: 12
The Black Men shall commence.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Checkers descended from Alquerque, an ancient Egyptian game dating to approximately 1400 BCE. It evolved onto the chessboard around 1100 CE in France and was formally codified by Antonio de Torquemada in 1547.

The ancestor Alquerque is over 3,000 years old. The recognisable chessboard form of draughts is approximately 500 years old, dating to 16th-century Spain and France.

The original name is Draughts. "Checkers" is primarily an American usage. Historically the game was also called Fierges in medieval France.

They are the same game. "Checkers" is the American term; "draughts" is British and international. The historical ruleset — including the Huff rule — is preserved at thegameofdraughts.com.

As codified by William Payne in 1756: mandatory captures, the Huff penalty, Touch-Move rule, three-minute calls, five-minute forfeits, and crowning Kings at the opponent's back row.

No single inventor. Torquemada codified the chessboard form in 1547; William Payne established the definitive Laws of the Game in 1756.

Join the Community: Keep the Classic Game Alive

Whether you are a scholar of historical draughts rules, a lover of classic board games, or simply curious about the checkers origin story, this community welcomes you. Share strategies rooted in the original 1756 laws, study the ancient rulebooks, and help preserve authentic draughts for future generations.

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A Step-by-Step Manual of Play
Step the FirstBoard Preparation

Position the board so a dark square occupies the bottom left-hand corner for both players.

Step the SecondPlacing the Men

Black Men fill the dark squares of the three rows closest to the Black player; White Men do the same on their side.

Step the ThirdCommencing the Match

The Black Men move first, advancing one piece diagonally to an adjacent empty dark square. Players alternate.

Step the FourthExecuting Captures

If your opponent's piece stands before yours with an empty square behind it, you must leap over it and remove it. Continue jumping if another capture presents.

Step the FifthEnforcing the Huff

If your opponent moves while a capture was available, you may "huff" the offending piece from the board, or compel them to retract and take the capture.

Step the SixthCrowning a King

When a piece reaches the opponent's final row, your turn ends and that piece is crowned a King.

Step the SeventhWielding the King

A crowned King may move and capture diagonally both forward and backward.

Step the EighthSecuring Victory

Capture all opponent's Men, or leave them without any legal move to claim victory.

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About the Creator

Dustin L Clemons — also known as Dustin Clemons — is the creator, designer, and developer of thegameofdraughts.com. Driven by a passion for preserving the cultural heritage surrounding the ancient game of checkers and draughts, Dustin L Clemons built this site so the original 1756 Laws of the Game could be experienced and shared by players and scholars of every generation.

From the precepts of William Payne to the foundational rules of Antonio de Torquemada, every element has been crafted by Dustin L Clemons to honour the authentic history of checkers. The Game of Draughts is an independent project produced under Been Raw Catalogs, a creative and digital brand founded by Dustin L Clemons.

For enquiries, collaboration, or research — contact Dustin L Clemons directly:

✉  dustin@beenrawcatalogs.com

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