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Checkers Games Around the World
Bounce Checkers Game
When we review the history associated with
Checkers/Draughts game and the number of variations
that exist worldwide, then it becomes evident
that this ‘basically
simple’ board game is more than
mere child’s play. Checkers/Draughts
carries a greater complexity in opportunities
and challenges when the players successfully
apply strategy, experience and gaming skill.
The game play of Checkers/Draughts is deeply
rooted in ancient African civilization and
throughout time has evolved into a game firmly
entrenched in modern society. However, for
reasons only we, as humans, fully understand,
the set rules from decades before are not always
completely satisfactory so over the years numerous
changes have taken place to suit both regional
and personal differences. Checkers/Draughts
has become the victim, some would say, of the
modern predisposition of always wanting to
change the tried and true so that the 21st
century is now the dumping ground of countless
invented Checkers variants. Mind you, some
of the new rules or additions to existing play
have indeed created a game that is more intellectually
stimulating, visually intriguing and tactically
absorbing. Whether this is true with respect
to the numerous invented Checkers variants,
only time will tell!
Bouncers – Bounce Checkers
This divergent variation of checkers applies
similar rules as a regular checkers game but
introduces an unusual form of movement, which
is called ‘multiple-bounce
movement’ and changes the capture
method as well to ‘capture
by approach in the movement direction’.
Rules of Bounce Game:
~ The Bounce Game Board ~
This bounce checkers variant is played on a
standard 8 x 8 checkerboard consisting of 64
alternating light and dark squares.
- Two players face each other across the
checkered board and use 16 checkers each
in contrasting colors.
- In comparison to regular checkers, the
bounce checkers game play is on all the squares,
not the dark ones only.
~ Object of Bounce Checkers Game ~
- The goal of the game is to capture all the opponent’s checkers.
~ Bounce Checkers Starting Position ~
- The board is positioned squarely between
the two players with a single dark corner
on each opponent’s right and a dark
double corner on the left.
- All the squares are used during play
so that each opponent places his/her checkers
on the light and dark squares of the first
two rows closest to the player.
~ Game Moves & Captures ~
- Opponents move their checker pieces horizontally,
and diagonally or vertically forward by bouncing on
an adjacent checker while moving in the direction of the bounce.
- A checker moves to an empty square as in regular checkers.
- Single checkers cannot move backwards.
- Players use checkers of ANY color as springboards for
the checker movement so that the piece that ‘hangs
in the air’ cannot move.
- Checkers may also bounce on the rim of
the checkerboard; if the ‘man’ is
positioned on the side of the game board,
then it can bounce in a diagonally forward
direction.
- A checker can bounce in three forward
directions on the first row.
- If an opposing checker is situated on
an adjacent square to the one the bouncing
checker is moving from, then the piece
is captured as long as it is in the same
direction as the movement direction.
- An opponent continues to bounce his/her
checker until there are no further moves
to be made or until he/she decides to stop
the play.
- Bouncing checkers use approach capture
but only in the direction of the move.
- During multiple moves, a checker may not go back to the originating square.
- Capture is not compulsory.
~ King Promotion, Moves, & Captures ~
- When a checker reaches the opponent’s
last row, it is crowned a king.
- King checkers have special privileges
in that they can move in ALL directions,
including backwards.
- Kings move all by themselves, unlike
single checkers, but only one square at
a time.
- If a player’s king captures an
opposing piece, then the king gets a bonus
move.
- Capture is not mandatory for kings and
they capture in the same manner as single
checkers by approach movement.
- Kings are allowed to move back to the
originating square in the move.
~ Win or Loss ~
- A player wins the game when he/she captures
all the opponents checkers.
- If the game ends in a stalemate, it
is considered a loss.
~ Bounce Game Strategy ~
- It is advantageous to use the opponent’s
checkers as well as one’s own as
springboards for movement.
- As checker pieces cannot ‘jump’ over
the opposition, the challenge on how to
reach the opponent’s last row and
seek promotion becomes a crucial element
of tactical movement.
- Try to manipulate the advantage by finding
ways to gain material such as two pieces
for one.
- Always try to use the rim of the checkerboard
when moving the checkers in a forward direction.
- As there is no differentiation between
regular moves and capturing moves and the
checkers can only advance and capture by
using other pieces as springboards, then
it is important to look for all opportunities
that result in movement towards the king
row.
- Using this method of movement and capture
brings an element of intrigue into the game.
- King endgames present interesting scenarios
and a three to one majority of kings creates
a winning situation.
~ Other Variants of Bounce Checkers
~
- Variations on the 8 x 8 board are using
Bouncers 12 pieces, Bouncers 12 pieces
with terminal moves; Bouncers 16 pieces,
Bouncers 16 pieces with terminal moves.
- There are also variations on a 10 x 10 checkerboard,
which consist of using Bouncers 20 pieces and
Bouncers 20 pieces with terminal moves.
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