Ancient Origins
Checkers (also known as draughts) is one of the oldest and most popular games in the history of humanity. Their origins can be traced back 5,000 years to ancient Egypt, where it is believed they evolved from the game called Senet. The modern version of checkers, known as the 64-square variant, emerged in southern Europe in the 12th century and quickly gained widespread recognition.
Variety of Checkers Worldwide
Currently, there are approximately 95 different variants of checkers, each with its own set of rules. The names of these versions often derive from the countries where they are most popular. Among them, you can find variants such as:
- English (American) Checkers,
- International Checkers (International Draughts, 10×10 board),
- Brazilian (Classic) Checkers,
- Italian Checkers,
- Spanish Checkers,
- German Checkers,
- Russian Checkers,
- Turkish Checkers,
- Czech Checkers,
- Ghanaian Checkers,
- Thai Checkers,
- Canadian Checkers (12×12 board).
The Diversity of Rules in the Game
The rules of checkers in a particular country often become part of its customs and national identity. It’s common for players to be interested in and familiar with the version popular in their own country. For example, Americans often play exclusively American checkers, while Turks prefer Turkish checkers. This fragmentation within the checkers community presents a significant challenge for the development and popularization of this wonderful game because it hinders a unified pursuit of excellence and common competition.
Unifying Enthusiasts Around One Variant
A chance to unite checkers enthusiasts from different countries around one variant is provided by international checkers, also known as 100-square checkers. By playing on a larger board and starting with more pieces, players have greater tactical and strategic possibilities. The rules of international checkers are the same worldwide, which promotes competition and the development of this fascinating game.
Rising Popularity
The development of mobile technology has also contributed to the rising popularity of checkers. Polish developers from CC Games created a mobile app that gained tremendous recognition and popularity among players. Their checkers app for Android and iOS has been downloaded over 100 million times! Thanks to this app, checkers has become even more accessible and readily available to a wide range of gaming enthusiasts. The ability to play checkers on smartphones and tablets has attracted millions of users, underscoring the universality and appeal of the game worldwide.
Play Checkers Online
Checkers – a Game That Unites
Checkers is a game with a long history and rich diversity. Although there are many variants with different rules, their popularity and development on the international stage open up new perspectives for enthusiasts of this game. Everything suggests that draughts will continue to attract attention and capture the hearts of players from different countries, while simultaneously building bridges between different cultures and people interested in this extraordinary world of strategy and competition.
