The History of Draughts: Britain's Most Underrated Strategy Game

Chess gets the prestige. Ludo gets the nostalgia. But draughts — the game that has been played on British kitchen tables for over five hundred years — is rarely given its due. It is one of the oldest strategy games still played in its original form, a game that requires genuine tactical thought without the steep learning curve of chess, and one that has been a fixture of British family life since Tudor times. This is the history of a game that deserves to be taken seriously.

3000 BC

Approximate age of the earliest known draughts-like game, discovered in the ancient city of Ur in modern-day Iraq

British Museum

1756

Year of the first definitive written rules for English draughts, published in London

British Library records

1847

Year Jaques of London began manufacturing standardised draughts sets in England, establishing the design used today

Jaques of London company records

Ancient Origins: A Game as Old as Civilisation

Games involving counters moved across a grid have existed for at least five thousand years. Archaeologists excavating the ancient Sumerian city of Ur discovered game boards dating to around 3000 BC that bear a striking resemblance to the modern draughts board. Similar games appear in ancient Egypt — boards have been found in tombs — and across ancient Greece and Rome.

The specific mechanics of modern draughts — two players, alternating moves, captures by jumping — appear to have solidified in medieval Europe. A game called "Fierges" was played across France and England in the 12th century, and by the 14th century something recognisably similar to modern draughts was being played at European courts. The game was known in England as "Draughts" — from the Old English word meaning "to move."

Draughts in Britain: From Court Game to Kitchen Table

By the Tudor period, draughts was well established in England across all social classes. Unlike chess, which required expensive carved pieces and significant time to learn, draughts could be played with simple wooden or stone counters on a cloth board. It was genuinely democratic entertainment.

The first comprehensive written rules for English draughts were published in 1756, codifying a game that had been played by common understanding for centuries. Jaques of London began manufacturing high-quality, standardised draughts sets in 1847. The company's sets — FSC-certified turned wooden pieces, precision-cut boards — became the standard against which other manufacturers were measured. The Jaques draughts set has remained in continuous production ever since.

Browse Jaques of London draughts sets — the same design, in continuous production since 1847.

How Draughts Works: Why It Rewards Genuine Thought

The deceptive simplicity of draughts is what makes it one of the best introductory strategy games for children. The rules can be explained in five minutes. But the strategy — controlling the centre of the board, forcing your opponent into unfavourable exchanges, managing the promotion of pieces to "kings" — takes years to master.

This gradient of skill is unusual in games. Most games are either trivially simple (snakes and ladders, pure chance) or initially impenetrable (chess). Draughts sits in a rare middle ground: learnable in minutes, but genuinely rewarding of thought and practice. A child of six can play a credible game. A serious adult player can spend years on strategy.

Draughts was the first game to be solved computationally — in 2007, a team at the University of Alberta proved mathematically that perfect play by both sides always results in a draw. This makes it unique among classic games: we know precisely how good the best possible play is.

Draughts vs Checkers: The Same Game With Two Names

British readers will know the game as draughts. American readers know the same game as checkers. The rules are identical — the divergence is purely linguistic. "Draughts" is the older term, from the Middle English word for moving pieces across a board. "Checkers" comes from the checked pattern of the board itself.

There are regional variants — Russian draughts, Turkish draughts, International draughts played on a 100-square board — but the English 64-square game is the version most British families will recognise.

Draughts in the Screen-Free Home

There is something fitting about draughts' current moment. As British families look for activities that genuinely engage children — that require focus, develop strategic thinking, and can be played between generations — draughts delivers all three without explanation or setup.

The game takes under thirty minutes to play. It requires no reading, no electronic components, and no special equipment beyond the board and pieces. A six-year-old and a sixty-year-old can play together on equal enough terms for the game to be genuinely interesting.

The Games Jaques Brought to Britain

Draughts is one of many classic games that Jaques of London has been making for generations. The company's chess sets, croquet sets, and traditional board games have been made to the same standard since 1795.

Frequently Asked Questions About Draughts

What is the difference between draughts and checkers?

Draughts and checkers are the same game. "Draughts" is the British term; "checkers" is the American term. Both describe a two-player strategy game played on an 8×8 board with 12 pieces per player. The rules are identical. The linguistic difference reflects the divergence of British and American English — "draughts" comes from the Old English word for moving a piece; "checkers" refers to the checked pattern of the board.

How old is the game of draughts?

Games resembling modern draughts have existed for at least 5,000 years — boards have been found in ancient Sumerian and Egyptian sites. The specific mechanics of modern English draughts appear to have developed in medieval Europe during the 12th and 13th centuries. The first comprehensive written rules for English draughts were published in 1756. Jaques of London has been manufacturing standardised draughts sets since 1847.

What age is draughts suitable for?

Draughts is suitable for children from around age five or six. The rules are simple enough to explain in five minutes — each player moves their pieces diagonally, capturing opponents by jumping over them. At this age, children can play a basic game and begin to understand concepts like planning ahead. Deeper strategic play develops naturally with experience. The game is genuinely multigenerational — a six-year-old can play meaningfully against an adult.

What is the best draughts set to buy in the UK?

The best draughts sets use turned hardwood pieces on a quality board with clear, well-defined squares. Jaques of London has been making draughts sets since 1847 and their sets represent a strong choice: FSC-certified timber, non-toxic finishes, and a design refined over nearly two centuries. Look for pieces with good weight and satisfying tactile quality — cheap plastic sets reduce the pleasure of the game significantly.

Five Thousand Years Old. Still the Best After-Dinner Game.