Hexdame is the literal translation of International Draughts to the hexgrid. As can be seen in Grids, the hexgrid is a 'partial double grid' in a 'singlegrid' disguise: it is topologically equivalent to a square grid with one set of parallel diagonals. One immediate result is the disappearance of one-on-one opposition: men 'slide off' one another. This makes breakthrough more dominant than opposition. Add the backrow of nine cells and the possibility of straight advance along the sides, and it will be clear that strategy and game dynamics differ considerably from those of Draughts.
 | The diagram shows the board and the pieces in the initial position. There are three forwards and three backwards directions, and the back rank has 9 cells. The rules are the same as the rules of International Draughts.
Hexdame is an unlikely successor to International Draughts because Draughts players are very square thinkers and Dameo is a better alternative. |
Examples
Majority capture
White uses the precedence of majority capture to win. |
Another example of majority capture. |
Masquerade!
|
A problem by Leo Springer. |
A problem by Leo Springer. |
The devil in the (de)tail! |
Promotion is not 'on the fly'
This example illustrates that a man visiting the back rank in a capture, but not ending its move there, does not promote. This is of course vital to the combination. |
Coup Turc
The coup turc is a combination that illustrates the implications of the rule that the capture must be completed before the captured men are taken from the board, and the rule that a piece may not be captured twice. |
Coup de la Trappe
Trapdoor is a capture by one player that opens a capture for the other on the same line. |
Endgames
In Hexdame the capture of a lone king with three kings is a trivial affair. In the white configuration it is caught in three moves or less, wherever it is placed. This is just one example. |
Sometimes two kings are enough. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
External links
If and when we find one ...
|
On the Evolution of Draughts Variants