Board games
Italian Draughts
Men can’t take kings
Italian draughts, la dama, is the most precise of the draughts games: kings move just one square, a plain man may never capture a king, and when several captures are possible the rules decide which one you make — the most pieces, then with a king, then the most kings.
- Players
- 2 players
- Length
- 5–15 min per game
- Type
- Board games
Play Italian Draughts online with friends
At Masa, Italian Draughts is a game of its own right next to Checkers: pick it in the games list, open a table and share its code or link with your friends, or sit at a house table. Bots fill the empty chairs, and voice chat keeps the table talking.
How to play
- 1
Two players, 12 pieces each on the dark squares. White moves first.
- 2
Pieces move one square diagonally forward.
- 3
Capturing is mandatory: jump over an enemy piece onto the empty square behind it. Keep jumping while you can — a jump sequence must be finished.
- 4
You must take the most pieces; if it’s a tie, capture with a king, then take the most kings, then the king you meet first. A plain piece can never capture a king.
- 5
Plain pieces capture forward only.
- 6
A piece that reaches the far row is crowned and its move ends.
- 7
Kings move and capture one square in any diagonal direction.
- 8
The board is turned so a dark square sits in each player’s right-hand corner.
Frequently asked questions
Is Italian Draughts the same game as Checkers?
No. Italian Draughts is played at the same kind of table as Checkers, but with rules of its own — see “How to play” above. At Masa it is a game of its own, with its own tables, stats and achievements.
Can I play Italian Draughts online with friends?
Yes. Open a Italian Draughts table and share its code or link. Empty seats fill with other players or bots, so a game always starts.
Is Italian Draughts free to play?
Yes. You play with Chips, which have no cash value: nothing can be won or cashed out.
