Board Games Explained: What They Are and How to Choose One to Play

A board game is a game built around a physical or digital board and pieces, where players take turns making moves under a shared set of rules. If you want a quick answer on how to choose one: match the game to your group size, available time, and how much complexity you enjoy. Abstract strategy games like draughts (checkers) are the simplest entry point — two players, one board, rules you can learn in minutes — while party, family, and heavier strategy games serve different groups. This guide covers the main categories, the factors that matter when picking a game, and how to start playing draughts online right away.

What counts as a board game

The defining feature is a board that defines the play space, plus pieces that move or get placed on it. That separates board games from:

Card games — played with a deck, no board required (poker, bridge).
Dice games — outcomes driven by dice rolls (craps, yahtzee-style games).
Video games — digital-only, even when they simulate a board.

Many modern games blend these (board plus cards plus dice), so treat the categories as a rough map, not strict walls. The useful distinction is what the game asks you to do: move pieces on a shared space, manage a hand, or roll for outcomes.

The main genres and who they suit

Genre	What it rewards	Good for
Abstract strategy	Pure logic, no luck, no theme	Two players who want a fair, quiet contest
Strategy / euro-style	Planning, resource management	Groups of 2–4 who like depth over speed
Party games	Social reading, humor, fast rounds	Large groups, mixed skill levels
Family games	Simple rules, short turns	Kids and adults playing together

Draughts and checkers sit firmly in the abstract strategy column: no hidden information, no dice, no theme — just position and foresight. That makes them a good first board game for anyone, and a good benchmark for whether you enjoy thinking several moves ahead.

How to choose a game: four factors

Player count. Check the box or listing for the supported range, not just the maximum. A game "for 2–6" often plays best at 3–4. Draughts is strictly two-player.
Play time. A 15-minute game and a 3-hour game demand different settings. Short games work for lunch breaks; long ones need a planned session.
Complexity. Rulebook length and turn length are decent proxies. If you want to start playing within five minutes, pick a game whose rules fit on one page — draughts qualifies.
Age range. Publisher age ratings reflect both rule complexity and content. For mixed-age groups, favor games with simple turns and no reading-heavy components.

If you're unsure, start with an abstract strategy game. The rules are short, the equipment is minimal, and skill improves visibly with practice — which keeps new players engaged.

Draughts (checkers) as a concrete example

Draughts is the classic two-player abstract game, and the English variant is the version most people mean by "checkers." Per the rules described on draughts.org:

Board and pieces: an 8x8 checkerboard with alternating light and dark squares, 12 pieces per player (red and white).
Movement: on your turn, move one piece diagonally to an adjacent empty square.
Capturing: if you can jump an opponent's piece, you must do so — captures are mandatory.
Kings: a piece that reaches the far side becomes a king and can then move both forward and backward. Kings can still be captured.
Winning: capture all your opponent's pieces, block all their legal moves, or win by forfeit. If neither player can move, the game is a draw.

That ruleset is small enough to hold in your head after one read, which is exactly why draughts works as a first board game.

Variations worth knowing

The rules change with the variant, so confirm which one you're playing before you start:

International draughts (also called Polish draughts): played on a 10x10 board with 20 pieces per player. Captures are mandatory, and when multiple capture sequences exist, you must choose the one that captures the most pieces. Kings can capture in any direction and jump multiple pieces in a single move.
English draughts: the 8x8 version described above.
Russian draughts: a separate variant listed alongside the others.

If you're learning from a friend or a website, ask which variant is in play — the board size and capture rules differ enough to change your strategy.

Where to play: online vs. physical

Online: draughts.org offers play against the computer or against a human, so you can start without owning a set or finding a partner. This is the fastest route if you want to learn the rules or test whether you enjoy the game before buying anything.
Physical: a board and pieces let you play face-to-face, which is better for teaching and for the social side of board gaming.

A practical sequence: learn the rules online against the computer, then move to human opponents once the mandatory-capture rule feels automatic.

Common sticking points for new players

Forgetting mandatory captures. In English and international draughts you cannot decline a jump. Missing this is the most frequent beginner error.
Assuming kings are safe. They aren't — an opponent can still capture a king.
Confusing variants. A 10x10 board means international rules, not English. Check the board before you assume the capture rules.
Ignoring the draw condition. If neither side can move, the game ends level. Plan for it rather than forcing a losing position.

Once the basic rules are automatic, the game becomes what it's known for: a battle of position and foresight rather than luck.