Computer Moderated Micro Draughts
The idea is very simple - you must get rid of all your opponent's pieces, by jumping over them. To jump over a piece there has to be an empty space on the other side.
At the start you can only move in one direction; that is, up the board if you are White or down if you are Black. To move a piece the letter for its column and the number for the row is entered. Next the destination square is given in the same way.
If it is not possible to jump over a piece then any one of your own draughts is advanced by one square to another square or the same colour. If a piece reaches the other side then it becomes a 'king' or 'crowner'. This means that it can move up and down the board and so is more powerful.
The fact that you have to take a piece when possible does not apply according to some sets of rules. Some authorities require that should an opponent's piece not be taken when possible, then the offender loses that piece. This is known as 'huffing'.
In this micro version the program will not accept an instruction which simply moves a piece when there is a jump move available. The indicator will continue to show the same colour player until the jump sequence is complete.
A game can be saved to tape at any stage by pressing S. A previously saved game is loaded at any time by L. During a game or after loading, the step mode can be selected by pressing [shift] 3. Pressing 'Space' will then step through from the beginning. Pressing [shift] 3 will end step mode and allow the game to be played on from that position. |
