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Turkish Checkers Online

Forget diagonals. Turkish Dama turns every row and column into a route for attack, escape and multi-capture combinations.

MovementRows and columns

Never diagonally

Every square belongs to the game

Turkish Checkers — Dama — replaces diagonals with rows and columns. All 64 squares are active, and each player starts with 16 men across two full rows while the back row remains empty.

A man steps one square forward or sideways. It cannot make a quiet backward move, so space is built by opening files and shifting formations across a rank.

Position 1 · a man’s directionsForward or sideways — never diagonal

The white man may step into any highlighted square. A quiet backward move is unavailable.

Captures turn at right angles

A man jumps over an adjacent enemy and lands immediately beyond it. It may capture forward or sideways, never backward, and it can change direction during the same sequence.

Captures are compulsory. When several complete routes exist, the route taking the greatest number of pieces must be played.

straightturncontinue

The board changes after every jump

Captured pieces are removed immediately, not after the whole combination. A square cleared by the first jump may open the row or column needed for the next one.

The dama controls open lines

A king moves any distance horizontally or vertically — rook-like, if you know chess. It captures along those lines and may turn between jumps when another capture is available.

Position 2 · right-angle captureA clear line lets the dama turn

The king captures across the row, turns at the landing square, then continues up the open file.

A man that reaches the far row is crowned for its next turn. It does not gain king movement halfway through the current combination.

Retrain your board vision

  • Scan four straight lines.Diagonal threats do not exist; ranks and files carry every attack.
  • Allow for removal.A captured blocker disappears immediately and may uncover another jump.
  • Count complete routes.Maximum capture is compulsory, including combinations that turn a corner.

FAQ

Are only the dark squares used?

No. Every square on the 8×8 board is playable.

How many pieces does each player start with?

Sixteen, arranged across two complete rows.

Can a man move sideways?

Yes. It may make a quiet move forward or sideways by one square.

Can a man capture backward?

No. Men capture forward or sideways.

Is maximum capture compulsory?

Yes. Choose a complete sequence that takes the greatest number of pieces.

When are captured pieces removed?

Immediately during the sequence, so each jump can open a new line.

How does a king move?

Any distance horizontally or vertically across open squares.

When does a new king become active?

On its next turn, not halfway through the move that reaches the promotion row.