Questions
Frequently asked questions
Here are the questions beginners and parents ask most often: about the guide itself, about rules and disputes at the board, about teaching children and playing as a family. The answers are short; for details, see the other sections of the guide — the game cards and the pages on strategy and rule variants.
A lost game reviewed together is worth more than a won game that is immediately forgotten.
About the guide
What is Blogokamne?
An independent reference about classic abstract board games: draughts, Go, reversi, nine men's morris, mancala, gomoku and ugolki. We describe the rules in outline, explain first strategic ideas and show how to play as a family.
Do you sell sets or run tournaments?
No. We sell nothing, run no tournaments and don't recommend particular shops. To begin, a hand-drawn board and a handful of pebbles are enough.
Is the guide connected with earlier websites on this domain?
No. This guide has no connection with earlier websites on this domain and does not reproduce their content.
Why don't you name players, programs or websites?
We want the guide to explain the essence of each game rather than send you somewhere else. Names, titles and addresses change quickly, while rules and ideas remain.
Rules
Why do the rules differ from place to place?
Many games have developed several variants: Russian and international draughts, different scoring methods in Go, countless kinds of mancala. Before a game, agree on which rules you are playing by.
What should we do if a dispute arises mid-game?
Stop and recall what you agreed. If there was no agreement, settle the question with a rulebook or replay the disputed moment. The main thing is not to change a rule in favour of whoever it suits right now.
Is capturing compulsory in draughts?
In Russian draughts, yes: capturing is compulsory, and a man captures both forwards and backwards. In family games with children this rule is sometimes relaxed, but any such relaxation is agreed in advance.
Can you play by correspondence or online?
Yes. For correspondence, it helps to label the board along the edges and record each move as a pair of squares: from and to. An online game works just like one over the board, only etiquette matters more: reply on time, warn about breaks and don't use outside help during play.
Family and learning
When can a child start learning board games?
There is no strict threshold. A good time to start is when a child enjoys taking turns and following a simple rule like “make a row”. Don't rush, and go by the child's interest rather than other people's advice about age.
How should I explain the rules to a child?
Show one rule, play with it, then add the next. Think out loud: say why you are making a move and ask what the child is planning.
Should I let a child win?
Rather than giving in secretly, agree on a handicap openly: an extra move, removing some of your own pieces, allowing moves to be taken back. That way a win stays fair and the game stays interesting for both of you.
How do you learn to lose without getting upset?
Shake hands before and after the game, thank each other for playing and review it together without looking for someone to blame. Show by example that a loss is a chance to learn something new about the board, not a reason to be upset.
Related reading
- Guides
Your first game of draughts step by step, from setting up to reviewing the game. Plus the catalogue of our articles.
- Rules
Why one game can have several sets of rules and how to agree on them before the first move.
- How to choose
How to choose a game for your group: age, game length, depth, how easy it is to learn and whether you need a set.
- Terms
Glossary: king, capture, liberties, komi, territory, eye, mill, sowing, draw, endgame, tempo and exchange.
What we rely on
- Rulebooks of federations and clubs (in general terms)
- Editorial material of this guide
We describe the rules in general terms. Clubs, families and different rulebooks have their own variations, so before a serious game check the rules you agreed on at the board.