Turkish Draughts Strategy: 6 Tips
Turkish draughts is sharper than the diagonal games because pieces move straight and kings fly. Rules first? See how to play.
1. Use the forced capture
Because the opponent must take the maximum, you can offer a man to pull a piece onto a square where you recapture more. Count both sides' maximum captures before every move.
2. Men in pairs
Two men side by side protect each other from sideways jumps, and a man backed by another cannot be jumped forward. Loose single men are the easiest targets.
3. Race for the first king
The first king usually decides the game. Advance on the wing where the enemy is thin, and exchange men if it clears a path to the far row.
4. Open lines
A king on an open rank or file threatens everything on it. Keep your own men off the lines your opponent's king controls, and keep your king on a line with targets.
5. Trade when ahead
Exchanges simplify toward an endgame where extra material converts easily. Behind, avoid trades and look for a counter-trap.
6. Avoid the dead draw
King against king is an automatic draw. If you are ahead with a king against a king and men, catch the men before they crown.
The hard computer searches four plies (six with few pieces) on material, advancement and mobility; normal two; easy plays at random within the forced captures.
Frequently asked questions
Why is a king so strong in Turkish draughts?
It moves and captures like a rook, so an open file or rank is a highway. One king can often pick off several men in a single multi-capture, and two kings against men is usually a win.
Last updated 2026-10-21