The Checkers/Chess Comparison Analogy...again

[Eric Strange]

I have been playing random people in my life for a few years now. Co-workers, military people, etc etc. The number one comment I get is,

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN I HAVE TO JUMP!"

nobody even knows the rules to our game... this is a serious downfall haha

[Chexhero]

You know what is even more sad? Someone gave me a checkerboard they bought from a store, and the box cover showed the pieces set up on the wrong side of the board (pieces arranged 4 to 28). I still need to contact the people who made the box cover on that one. Maybe take them to court or for trying to sell a product disguised as checkers.

[Dennis Cayton]

I have been playing random people in my life for a few years now. Co-workers, military people, etc etc. The number one comment I get is,

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN I HAVE TO JUMP!"

I've had the exact same experience more times than I care to remember.

A few years ago, I was invited to a Mensa party. Before I continue, let me say that I am NOT a member of Mensa. I'm not smart enough to qualify and not even close.

The only reason why I went is that I was invited to this party by a friend of mine, who was a member of Mensa, and who told me I was "weird enough" and that I would "fit right in."

This was a "game night" Mensa party. So, I brought my checkerboard and pieces.

I was expecting to see lots of chess games and bridge games and other intellectually challenging games. Instead, to my shock and surprise, most of the members were playing Uno and other similar games.

Only one Mensa member at the party offered to play me in a game of Checkers. Even he did not know that he had to jump. He began to argue with me that this was a "bad rule."

Indeed, this is a sad state of affairs.

Dennis Cayton

[Danny_Alvarez]

A few years ago, I was invited to a Mensa party. Before I continue, let me say that I am NOT a member of Mensa. I'm not smart enough to qualify and not even close.
...

Mister Cayton, I once was asked to join Mensa in Australia and my reply was that i am too smart to join them
I have a personal theory that intelligence comes in different types or compartments. While you can be very smart or intelligent in one aspect (eg. maths and science) you might be very lacking in another (eg social skills). What i have found out is that usually those that are exceptional in one or two areas are very weak in others .
And i think making a group that prides itself on discriminating is just wrong. Having said that, i can qualify for Mensa on my second language (english, which is slowly becoming my preferred language) something that i used to be proud of (not any longer) .... unfortunately IQ points do not feed you, nor do they help you be more compassionate, or a better person. (i am trying to concentrate on being a better person, although anyone that knows me a little bit knows that i have a long way to go hahahaha )

Only one Mensa member at the party offered to play me in a game of Checkers. Even he did not know that he had to jump. He began to argue with me that this was a "bad rule."

Indeed, this is a sad state of affairs.

Dennis Cayton

I am trying to get involved with some of the African immigrants that are here in Queensland to see if i can interest them in checkers ... the men specially love playing dominoes over a cup of coffee when they socialize ... they also play checkers occasionally but the rules are totally different and the biggest complain i get is about "forced jump".
I personally think that this particular distinction in our variety adds a greater strategical element and it is essential in why i prefer checkers to other forms of draughts.

cheers
Danny Alvarez

[Eric Strange]

I am probably wrong, but I have played italian, american, brazilian, thai, 10x10, suicide, and a few other forms of draughts. I have not once ran into a variation that did not force you to jump. Many of those variations force you to jump the maximum possible. What variation of draughts (other than little kids) does not force a jump?

[MostFamousDane]

I am probably wrong, but I have played italian, american, brazilian, thai, 10x10, suicide, and a few other forms of draughts. I have not once ran into a variation that did not force you to jump. Many of those variations force you to jump the maximum possible. What variation of draughts (other than little kids) does not force a jump?

The danish rules don't force a jump instead you are allowed to huff

[Danny_Alvarez]

The danish rules don't force a jump instead you are allowed to huff

the africans here play a form that is very weird.... double corner on the wrong side and they huff as well... i tried playing their variation but i didn't enjoy it at all... (maybe it is cause they kicked my butt)