How to Play Spanish Checkers
Spanish checkers (damas españolas) is a fast, tactical form of checkers played on an 8×8 board. Here are the rules used in Damas Master.
▶ Play free nowThe board and pieces
- Each player has 12 pieces (men) on the first three rows, on one colour of squares.
- White moves first. Players take turns, one move each.
Moving
- A man moves one square diagonally forward.
- When a man reaches the far row it becomes a king.
- Kings are flying kings: they move any number of empty squares diagonally, forwards or backwards.
Capturing
- Capture by jumping over an enemy piece to the empty square behind it. Men capture forward only.
- Capturing is compulsory. If you can keep jumping, you must continue in the same move.
- If several captures are possible you must take the most pieces. If equal, capture with a king; if still equal, take the most kings.
- A flying king can capture from a distance and land on any empty square beyond the captured piece.
Winning and draws
- You win when your opponent has no pieces left or cannot make a move.
- The game is a draw after 50 moves in a row without a capture or a man moving.
Beginner tips
- Keep your pieces together; a lone piece is easy to capture.
- Control the centre and keep your back row as long as you can, so the opponent can't crown.
- Because captures are forced, you can lure your opponent into a jump that sets up a bigger capture for you.
- Trade pieces when you are ahead; avoid trades when you are behind.
Damas Master is free: play the learning AI, play friends online with an invite link, or learn step by step in Learn mode with lessons, puzzles and belt levels.