Tanzanian draughts

Tanzanian draughts

Tanzanian draughts starting position
Genre(s)	Board game Abstract strategy game
Players	2
Playing time	About 7 minutes (may vary)
Random chance	None
Skill(s) required	Strategy
Synonym(s)	drafti (in Swahili language)

Tanzanian draughts or simply TZ draughts (drafti in Swahili) is a variant of draughts (checkers) board game played usually in Tanzania. This is the strategy game that is played by two people using pieces on board. The game is similar to American checkers^[1] and Shashki in case of starting position however rules of playing Tanzanian checkers differ. Like many other kinds of draughts, there is possibility that either player can win the game or draw can be offered but this is based on the negotiations of players or supporters of the game.

Rules

The game is played on 8x8 board with squares alternating in colors. The empty corner is on the right side of player. Any one can start the game depending on the decisions of players. The following are rules which are compulsory during game play in Tanzanian checkers...
1. Men move only forwards to the opponent side
2. Men cannot capture backwards
3. When men reach to the first line of opponent side, they will be appointed as kings
4. King can capture backward and can fly
5. Capturing is mandatory
6. All pieces must be captured when there are multiple jumps including jumps available in intersecting diagonal.
7. When there are two directions (diagonals) of jumps from where the piece is, jump can be done in any possible direction because there is no priority for longest jump nor king should capture first. Capture can be done wherever player wants or finds it safe to go.
8. Men can capture the king

Video showing TZ draughts gameplay

TZ checkers and Russian draguhts - Similarities and Differences

• (a) Similarities:

1. Board size,orientation and starting position are the same
2. Men moves forwards only
3. King can fly in any direction
4. Capturing is mandatory

• (b) Differences:

Tanzanian Draughts	Russian Draughts
Men never capture backwards	Men can capture backwards
Men capture paused when reach to the line to be appointed as kings even though there are available captures	Men continue capturing as kings when reach to the first line in opponents side when there are available captures

From the image, the red piece (man) has two options to capture, the piece can jump to position A or B but never allowed to stay at D because there are available captures after it. However, the player(red) can also use king to capture to position C. In TZ Draughts, the player has right to choose whether to capture with kings or men. Capture is mandatory.

Additional Rules

The following rules are based on negotiations of players or teams. Not all players obey these rules in TZ draughts game play.
1. Some players agree that, if one has three kings and one has only one king, players have to count each move of player who has one king (or sometimes one who has three kings but not both). If number of moves is 9 depending upon what the players agreed, the draw will be offered.
2. Some players agree that, if one has won the game without any player having the king during the game play, the goal to winner is called "supa" (pronounced as the word SUPER) and the one goal is equal to 12 goals.
3. Some players agree that, the one who loses the game should start the next game.
4. Some players agree that, after each game no matter whether draw or won, players must exchange their pieces.

See also

• Draughts
• World Checkers/Draughts Championship

References

1. "Draughts official rules". fmjd64. Retrieved 24 September 2016.