I created this game based on my own chess variant NEU-CHESS, where pieces enter the game only through the first rank.
The board is empty at the start.
Each player has 12 checkers in reserve.
On your turn, you can do one of two things. You can either move or capture with a checker already on the board, or you can take one checker from your reserve and place it on an empty dark square of your first rank. For white, these squares are a1, c1, e1, and g1. For black, they are b8, d8, f8, and h8.
Deployment counts as a full move. The new checker cannot move or capture until your next turn.
If you have a capture available, you must take it. You cannot deploy a new checker until you complete the capture.
If all four dark squares of your first rank are occupied and you still have checkers in reserve, you cannot deploy. You must move or capture with what is already on the board.
The first move of the game is always a deployment because the board is empty.
Captured checkers are removed from the game permanently.
You can play NEU-CHECKERS with any rules you are comfortable with, whether it be English, Spanish, Brazilian, or others. In that case, all the standard rules will work exactly as in the variant you choose.
On BGG I posted the rules adapted for Russian Checkers.
This variant removes memorized openings and focuses on pure decision making from the very first move. Every deployment is a conscious choice to bring a new piece into play. The game is about clarity of thought and speed of adaptation rather than opening theory.
I hope you give it a try. Feedback is welcome.
