Origins of the game
    Draughts, known as Checkers in North America, was invented about AD 1000, probably in the south of France. The medieval game, called Fierges, used a Chess board, Backgammon pieces, called fers (the name of the queen in medieval Chess), and utilised the moves of Alquerque. By the thirteenth century, a piece could be promoted to a king. About AD 1535, huffing was introduced.

Basic rules and objectives
    Draughts (Checkers) is a battle game for two opponents, played on a board of 8x8 alternating black and white squares. Each player starts with 12 pieces. Play occurs on the black squares only, the pieces moving diagonally. A piece captures opposing pieces by jumping over them from an adjacent square to a vacant square beyond. Capture is compulsory; A piece failing to do so is huffed, or removed from the board. The aim is to capture or immobilise all of the opponent's pieces.

Clubs, societies, etc.
British Draughts Federation
American Checker Federation
Draughts Clubs International
Turkish Draughts (Dama) Club