Russian Checkers Rules
Russian Checkers (Shashki) plays on an 8×8 board with flying kings and men that capture in all four directions. Capturing is mandatory, but you pick the sequence — and the signature rule: a man that reaches the far row mid-capture crowns instantly and keeps capturing as a king.
Play Russian Checkers free →The Board and Setup
The game uses an 8×8 board and only the 32 dark squares. Each player has 12 pieces (men) on the dark squares of their three nearest rows. White moves first, then players alternate.
Moving
- Men move one square diagonally forward to an empty dark square.
- Men capture both forward and backward — a man can jump an enemy piece behind it.
Capturing
- You capture by jumping over an adjacent enemy piece into the empty square beyond it.
- Capturing is mandatory, and multi-jumps continue until no further capture is possible.
- Free choice: when several capturing sequences are available, you may pick any of them — there is no rule forcing the longest line.
- Captured pieces are removed only after the full jumping sequence is complete, so you cannot jump the same piece twice in one turn.
Mid-Capture Crowning and Flying Kings
A man promotes to King when it reaches the far row. In Russian Checkers this happens the moment it lands there — even in the middle of a capture sequence. The new king continues the same sequence immediately, now with king powers. This is the rule that defines the game: a jump that touches the far row can suddenly turn into a long-range king rampage. Kings are "flying": they move any number of empty squares along a diagonal, and they capture by jumping an enemy piece from a distance and landing on any empty square beyond it along the same diagonal.
How to Win
Capture all of your opponent's pieces, or leave them with no legal move. Draws occur by threefold repetition, when no progress (no capture or man move) is made for 40 moves by each side, or under the codified endgame rule: a side with three kings against a lone king must win within 15 moves by each side or the game is drawn.
Know the rules and want to win more? Learn strategy in our complete Russian Checkers strategy guide and the rest of the lessons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who moves first in Russian Checkers?
White moves first, then players alternate turns.
What is mid-capture crowning in Russian Checkers?
A man that reaches the far row in the middle of a capture crowns the moment it lands there and continues the same sequence as a king. This is the signature Russian rule.
Is capturing mandatory in Russian Checkers?
Yes, and you pick the sequence freely — there is no rule forcing the longest line.
Can a man capture backward in Russian Checkers?
Yes. Men capture both forward and backward.
How do kings move in Russian Checkers?
Kings are flying: any number of empty squares along a diagonal, capturing from a distance.
Can a king be captured in Russian Checkers?
Yes. A king can be jumped and captured like any piece.
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