How to play Paper Dojo

Checkers where every capture is a fight. The rules are real checkers; the fights are the show.

The basics

Each side starts with 12 fighters on the dark squares. Fighters move one square diagonally forward. You capture by jumping diagonally over an enemy into the empty square behind it, and you can chain several jumps in one turn.

Crowns

A fighter that reaches the far row is crowned. Crowned fighters move and jump both forward and backward. Getting crowned ends your turn, even in the middle of a chain.

Rule sets

Pick a rule set on the clan screen. American is the classic 8×8 game where men only capture forward and kings move one square. Brazilian, Russian and Pool let men capture backward and give kings long "flying" moves along the diagonal. International plays the same on a 10×10 board with 20 fighters a side. Brazilian and International also require you to take the capture sequence that removes the most pieces. In Russian rules a man crowned in the middle of a chain keeps jumping as a king.

Strict or free captures

In strict mode, the tournament rule applies: if any jump is available you must take one, and you must finish the whole chain. In free mode, jumps are optional, and after a jump you can stop the chain by tapping End turn. Change this in Settings.

Fights

Every capture plays out as a fight. The jumped fighter always loses, so fights never change the result, but you get to pick the finisher. Tap Speed up to fast-forward, or shorten fights in Settings.

Winning

You win when your opponent has no fighters left or no legal moves.

Rule sets compared

• American

  • 8×8
  • forward captures
  • short kings

  The classic 8×8 game. Men move and capture forward only. Kings move one square.

• Brazilian

  • 8×8
  • backward captures
  • flying kings
  • max capture

  International rules on the 8×8 board. Men capture backward, kings fly, and you must take the biggest capture.

• International

  • 10×10
  • backward captures
  • flying kings
  • max capture

  The 10×10 world championship game with 20 fighters a side. Men capture backward, kings fly, biggest capture is mandatory.

• Russian

  • 8×8
  • backward captures
  • flying kings
  • crown mid-chain

  Men capture backward and kings fly. A man crowned mid-chain keeps jumping as a king. Any capture is allowed.

• Pool

  • 8×8
  • backward captures
  • flying kings

  Popular in the American South and the Caribbean. Men capture backward, kings fly, no maximum-capture rule.

The eight clans

• Ninja

  Silent, quick, never where you expect.

• Karateka

  Clean technique and big kicks.

• Sumo

  Heavy, unstoppable, shakes the whole board.

• Samurai

  Paper armor and a brush-stroke blade.

• Storm Ninja

  Spiky-haired lightning kids in purple gi.

• Monk

  Shaolin-style kung fu monks with a bo staff.

• Nak Muay

  Muay Thai fighters: knees, elbows and clinches.

• Capoeirista

  Acrobatic Brazilian fighters who kick like they dance.

Play Paper Dojo