Medieval Homeschoolers

Alquerques -- became Draughts when Europeans tried to play it on a Chess board --  then became Checkers

Each player has 12 pieces.  They start on the two back tows and the two far right places of the third row.  Only the center space will be open when the game starts.

Pieces can move one space in any direction.

A player captures pieces by jumping them like in modern checkers.

If a capture or captures are possible, they must be taken.

If a player does not take a possible capture, the other player may remove that piece before starting their turn.

You win by taking all your opponents pieces or by trapping them where they cannot move.




Medieval vs. Modern Chess

Pawns only moved one space forward -- no first move of two spaces and no capture on the diagonal, they became queens if they reached the other side.

Bishops moves two spaces diagonally and could jump over another piece to make their move.

The Queen moved one space diagonally.

Rooks, Knights, and the King moved the same as they do now.

Like modern chess, you win by capturing or blocking the King.  You could also win (though it was considered a lesser victory) by taking all of your opponents pieces except his King.