Alquerque is one of the oldest board games still played, with boards scratched into temple roofs in ancient Egypt and rules written down in 13th-century Spain. It is the direct ancestor of checkers and draughts, but it is played on the lines and intersections of a 5×5 grid rather than on squares, and many points connect diagonally as well as orthogonally — so pieces can travel in up to eight directions.
Each side starts with twelve pieces packed around a single empty central point. From there it becomes a tense capturing duel. Play free online Alquerque in your browser against three AI strengths, with no download or account.
The game is best known today from El Libro de los Juegos, the lavish book of games compiled for King Alfonso X of Castile in 1283, which recorded its rules alongside chess and dice games. Carried across the Mediterranean by the Moors — the name derives from the Arabic el-qirkat — it later jumped onto the chessboard to become draughts, and its descendants range from Fanorona in Madagascar to zamma in North Africa.
Capture all of your opponent's pieces, or leave them with no legal move. The first player reduced to zero pieces — or stuck with none available — loses.
Tap one of your pieces to select it; legal destinations are highlighted (green for a quiet move, red for a capture). Tap a point to move. Pieces slide one step along a connecting line to an empty point, or jump straight over an adjacent enemy into the empty point beyond to capture it. Captures are mandatory, and if more jumps are available you must keep jumping in the same turn.
There is no point score — victory comes from wiping out or immobilising the opponent. A live counter tracks how many pieces each side has left.
Because jumps are forced, you can bait the AI into a capture that sets up a longer chain for you in reply. Keep your pieces supported so a single enemy jump cannot start a devastating multi-capture, and use the diagonal points to switch the direction of attack.
What is Alquerque?
A medieval capturing game for two players, played on the intersections of a 5×5 lined board. It is the direct ancestor of checkers and draughts.
Are captures compulsory?
Yes. If a jump is available you must take it, and you must continue jumping with the same piece while further captures are possible.
Is Alquerque free to play here?
Yes — play unlimited games free in your browser against Easy, Medium or Hard AI, with no download or sign-up.
More classic games: Checkers, Nine Men's Morris, Fox and Geese, Halma, Mancala, and all 100 free games.