Alquerque

Each player starts with twelve pieces on a five-by-five board laced with horizontal, vertical and diagonal lines. On your turn move one piece a single step along any line into an empty point, or capture by jumping an adjacent enemy into the empty point beyond. Capturing is compulsory, and a single jump can continue into a chain. Take all the enemy pieces, or leave them with no legal move, to win.

• Move one step along a line into an empty neighbouring point.
• Capture by leaping an adjacent enemy along a line into the empty space behind it.
• When any jump exists you must take it; keep jumping the same piece while captures remain.
• Diagonals only run through the 'even' points, the centre, the corners and their kin.

• vs Computer: Easy, Medium, or Hard opponents.
• Hot-seat: pass-and-play for two on one screen.
• Online: host an invite, enter a code to join, or quick-match.

• Desktop: click one of your pieces, then click a highlighted destination or jump landing.
• Phone & tablet: tap a piece, then tap the lit point, chains resolve on the final landing spot.

• Steer enemies onto the diagonal points where a single leap can become a sweeping chain.
• Because captures are forced, set traps that hand the opponent a jump which opens their own line.
• Keep your back rank intact early; isolated forward pieces are the first to be eaten.

Alquerque is an old line-and-capture game that spread through the medieval Islamic world and into Spain with the Moors. It was set down in the famous 13th-century Book of Games made for King Alfonso X of Castile. Simple to learn but sharp to play, alquerque is one of the direct ancestors of draughts and checkers.

Alquerque is a medieval line-and-leap capture game widely regarded as an ancestor of draughts and checkers. This is an original, free browser version with three computer strengths, two-player hot-seat, and live online matches, no install needed.

A free, original browser game on PlayPendium. No download, no install.