Note on Checkers: there are at least two main varieties of Checkers, also called Draughts (Dames, Damas, Dammen), and many sub-varieties. Some play Checkers on a 10x10 board, others on an 8x8 board. There are also different traditions for jumping and moving. The xelagot Checkers follows the following 8x8 board rules: jumping is compulsory, multiple jumps must be completed except when a 'man' reaches the last row and is promoted to king, 'huff' or 'blowing' has been abolished, the 'short king' is used (it may only move one square at a time and jump to the nearest square), ordinary pieces ('men') can only move and jump forwards, kings can do that both forwards and backwards.
Each chess or checkers board has a different name, by which it is addressed. This name should be visible on a sign near the board. On this page, it is called boardname, you must of course use the real name of the board.
If you are not playing on a board, you may also click on an empty square of that board to request information.
If there are signs near the board (the one with the bordname or signs with names of players or colours) try to click on them for information, they may have been activated.
NOTE: while a board is being cleared, the bot does not register clicks nor commands for any board: all players must wait until the board is cleared.
To register as a player, click on a chess or checkers piece of the colour you wish to play. You may play with a partner, or alone. Your partner (or you, if you are playing alone) must click on a piece of the opposite colour. Your board may be cleared by anyone until the first move has been made. After that, it may only be cleared by the players themselves if at least one of them is present or, if the players are both absent, by anyone. The owner of the bot may clear a board at any time.
When you finish a game (win or draw), the board clears itself after 30 seconds. If you do not finish the game, please clear your own board.
CHESS: To castle, click on the King and then on the destination square. When a pawn reaches the last rank, it must change to either a Queen, a Bishop, a Knight or a Rook: follow the bot's instructions.
CHECKERS: ordinary pieces can move diagonally one square forwards to an empty square. If you may jump, you must jump. You jump over an adjacent piece of the opposite colour to an empty square behind it. As long as jumping with the same piece can be repeated, you must carry on jumping to finish your move. When a piece arrives at the last row, it becomes a king. Kings can move and jump backwards as well as forwards.
TIP 1: to see the board better, fly up a few metres and look down at it.
TIP 2: Whites (chess) or Reds (checkers) should make their first move as soon as possible, to secure the board.