Lot #265. Antique Continental Draughts and Checkers Set

Antique Continental Draughts Checkers Set.

Here is a well enjoyed Antique Continental Draughts Checkers Set. The individual Boxwood and Ebony checkers measure 1.25″ in diameter by 0.3″ thick. There are 19 checkers of each color plus five smaller Ebony checkers measuring 1″ in diameter by 0.2″ thick. The proper number of game pieces should be 20 each, so one of each color is missing (ignoring the five smaller game pieces). The chessboard is double-sided. The checker board on one side has 64 squares each measuring 1-3/4″ while the Continental Draughts board on the obverse has 100 squares each measuring 1-3/8″. The overall dimensions of the game board are 18″ long by 14-1/2″ wide by 1″ thick. There is a sliding lid compartment on each side of the game board which opens from either side to house the checkers. The four corners of the chessboard/box are reinforced with brass straps. The board is in good condition for its age with some very slight signs of the veneer squares lifting. These English-made Draughtsmen date to around 1890.

Draughts or checkers is a group of strategy board games for two players which involve diagonal moves of uniform game pieces and mandatory captures by jumping over opponent pieces. Draughts developed from alquerque. The name derives from the verb to draw or to move.

The most popular forms are English Draughts, also called American Checkers, employs 12 stones and is played on an 8×8 checkerboard; Russian Draughts, also played on an 8×8. Continental Draughts (also referred to Polish Checkers) utilizes 20 stones and is played on a 10×10 board. There are many other variants played on an 8×8 board. Canadian checkers is played on a 12×12 board.

For a more detailed discourse on the history and rules for Draughts or Checkers, check out this link and this link.