Board and setup
A 5×5 lattice where diagonals pass through alternate points. Each side has twelve pieces and only the centre starts empty. Dark moves first.
Traditional / ALQUERQUE
Alquerque
Jump along the lines, and capture whenever you can.
Also known as: Qirkat
Chain captures along the lines — and whenever you can capture, you must.
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ALQUERQUEABOUT THE GAME
About the game
Alquerque, known in Arabic as qirkat, is an ancient capturing game. Late in the 10th century Abu al-Faraj al-Isfahani mentioned qirkat in his 24-volume Kitab al-Aghani, though without describing the rules.
The Moors brought the game to Spain, and its rules appear in the Libro de los juegos commissioned by Alfonso X of Castile in the 13th century. It is often regarded as a forerunner of draughts.
Reference：en.wikipedia.org ↗
Rules
Alquerque — How to play
Youzai Board Game Club — The server implementation governs play here; tournament and other site rules may differ.
Making a move
Move along a line to an adjacent empty point, never backward unless capturing. Capture by jumping an adjacent enemy piece along a line into the empty point beyond; jumps may chain and change direction.
Winning and draws
Capturing is compulsory and a chain must be completed. Win by capturing every enemy piece or leaving the opponent with no legal move.
Rules on this site
This site uses R. C. Bell’s modern restrictions: no backward moves, pieces on the far row may only capture, and forced capture instead of huffing. Fifty plies without a capture is a draw.
Helpful examples
- Diagonals pass only through alternate points, so diagonal moves and captures must follow a drawn diagonal.
- Capturing is compulsory. With several captures you may choose any, not necessarily the longest, but the chosen chain must be completed.
- Pieces cannot retreat; racing ahead can leave them stuck on the far row. Keep your pieces in groups.
Complete beginner guide
From setup to the end of the game
Read these steps in order to complete your first game. This guide combines public rules with this site’s server implementation; where versions differ, this site’s ruling applies.
Goal and setup
Each side places twelve pieces on its nearest two rows plus the two right-hand points of the middle row; only the centre is empty. Capture everything or leave the opponent without a move to win.
Lines on the board
Orthogonally adjacent points are all connected; diagonals pass only through alternate points. Pieces move and capture only along drawn lines.
Ordinary moves
Move along a line to an adjacent empty point. Without capturing you may not move backward, and a piece that reached the far row may only capture.
Captures and chains
Jump an adjacent enemy piece along a line into the empty point beyond and remove it. Keep jumping while you can; a chain may turn and may capture backward.
Forced capture and draws
If any capture exists you must make one, choosing freely, but you must finish the chain. Fifty plies without a capture is a draw.
Beginner strategy
Look for your opponent’s chain captures before moving, keep pieces side by side, and do not rush to the far row.
General rules reference：en.wikipedia.org ↗