Samiksha Jaiswal (Editor)

Tanzanian draughts

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Players
  
2

Random chance
  
None

Playing time
  
~7 minutes

Skill(s) required
  
Strategy

Tanzanian draughts

Genre(s)
  
Board gameAbstract strategy game

Synonym(s)
  
TZ draughtsdrafti (Swahili)

Tanzanian draughts (or simply TZ draughts; and drafti in Swahili) is a variant of draughts (checkers) board game played usually in Tanzania. This is the strategy game that is played by two people using pieces on board. The game is very similar to Czech draughts but in this type you can capture using king or men, there is no priority for that. Apart from that they are completely similar in any way. The game is also somehow similar American checkers and Shashki in case of starting position however rules of playing Tanzanian checkers differ. Like many other kinds of draughts, there is possibility that either player can win the game or draw can be offered but this is based on the negotiations of players or supporters of the game.

Contents

Rules

The game is played on 8×8 board with squares alternating in colors. The empty corner is on the right side of player. Any one can start the game depending on the decisions of players. The following are rules which are compulsory during gameplay in Tanzanian checkers:

TZ checkers and Russian draughts - similarities and differences

  • Similarities
  • Board size,orientation and starting position are the same
  • Men moves forwards only
  • King can fly in any direction
  • Capturing is mandatory
  • Differences

    • Optional rules

    The following rules are based on negotiations of players or teams. Not all players obey these rules in TZ draughts gameplay. Therefore they are not necessary.

    1. Some players agree that, if one has three kings and one has only one king, players have to count each move of player who has one king (or sometimes one who has three kings but not both). If number of moves is 9 depending upon what the players agreed, the draw will be offered.
    2. Some players agree that, if one has won the game without any player having the king during the game play, the goal to winner is called "supa" (pronounced as the word SUPER) and the one goal is equal to 12 goals.
    3. Some players agree that, the one who loses the game should start the next game.
    4. Some players agree that, after each game no matter whether draw or won, players must exchange their pieces.

    References

    Tanzanian draughts Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA