Seeking Clarity - Kings can ‘fly’?

[MagpieMcGee]

Hi there! I’m new to the game. I thought I knew how to play from when I was a child, but clearly I didn’t even realize there exist multiples variations! Lol

I was reviewing the overview in the ‘How To Play’ tab during my first match on here. Under the heading ‘GAME VARIANTS’, there was mention of whether a piece such as a king could ‘fly’ (according to each variant and conditions).

I am unclear as to what ‘fly’ could be referring to re: allowable moves in-match, and didn’t see an explanation as to what the term means anywhere else on that page.

While the term may be elucidated in the variant-specific PDFs (which are next in my reading list), it might be worth either:

A) Explaining what movement the term ‘fly’ is referring to within the ‘How to Play’ tab itself
or
B) Using a more clear term or description to describe the form of movement intended by use of the term ‘fly’ on the ‘How to Play’ tab
so that:
It may be possible for novices using this tab as an in-game reference to understand what is being communicated about permissible plays.

It says that the content for the ‘How to Play’ tab is generated from the Wiki, but as I’m unclear on what the rule is, I’m not knowledgable enough to make any such alterations myself.

Thanks for your consideration of this matter,
MagpieMcGee

[smattathias]

So crazy that no one replied before now!!!

It's a lot easier for someone to just show you than explain (and I'm hoping you've learned just by getting beaten a few times).

American checkers = kings move a square at a time unless they're jumping. Also, if I recall correctly, getting crowned interrupts the jumping chain.

Draughts (checkers virtually everywhere else) = kings fly. It's basically you can jump the length of the board, whether or not you're capturing a piece. When jumping, you have the option of landing on any open square on the other side of the piece. Also, two pieces in line and touching are considered unjumpable. In Draughts, if you can jump, you have to jump. If you have one path that jumps two pieces and another that jumps three, you have to jump the one that takes more. When the king flies, you always have to capture the most pieces which can result in the king capturing five or more pieces or to land the king in a trap.

That's basically it. If you have a chance to play Draughts on a 10x10 board, I highly recommend it. Super fun, and especially because of the flying king!!!