Chinese Chequers thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Chinese Chequers

Board Game
1983 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Chinese chequers may have been introduced to Europe from China where it is played today. However, it is just as likely that it was brought in from Europe via Japan. The basic shape of the playing surface is a six pointed star, often with the corners coloured to match the playing pieces. There are 36 coloured counters, divided into six sets of six. The usual colours are red, yellow, purple, blue, orange and pink. The aim of the game is for one player to be the first to transfer all his pieces to the opposite corner of the board.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleChinese Chequers (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Printed paper and card
Brief description
Boxed board game of Chinese Chequers made in England by James Galt & Co Ltd in 1983
Physical description
Design: chromolithograph on card showing the game's layout decorated with dragons and flowers
No. of squares: 93
Squares illustrated: each is a flower
Square numbering: none
Squares titled: none
Subject of starting square: n/a
Subject of ending square: N/A
Dimensions
  • Height: 41.7cm
  • Width: 41cm
Production typeMass produced
Object history
The markers remain on the board and the winner is the player who not only reaches his corner first but gets all the markers into that corner. It may be played with one to six players or pairs
It is a variation on Halma.

CGG GAMES & PUZZLES, 1991
Historical context
Rewards: gaining the opposite corner for all 10 markers
blocks one's opponent
Forfeits: being blocked
No. of Players: 6
Equipment required: six sets of coloured counters

Rules:
Chinese checkers may have been introduced to Europe from China and it is played there today, however, it is just as possible that it was brought infrom Europe via Japan.

The basic shape is a six pointed star, often with the corners coloured to match the playing pieces.

There are 36 coloured counters , each with a `chinese' character on the top in gold . They are divided into 6 sets of 6, red, yellow, purple, blue, orange and pink. The number of markers and the size of the board is reduced from the standard ones, however, the rules redmain the same just adapted for the actual numbering.

HOW TO PLAY
If there are two players, each takes 15 pieces or pegs , marbles etc and places them in the holes of the corner matching the colour. Two players take opposite home bases.

If there are three or more players, each player takes ten pieces of one colour and places in the appropriate coloured corner. with each facing an empty corner. Four or more players play in opposite corners.

The aim of the game is for one player to be the first to transfer all his pieces to the opposite cormer; order of play is usually clockwise.
Each player takes a turn, in which he may move a piece into an adjoining empty hole, or jump over a single peg of any colour, to an empty hole beyond. If he is able to jump one or more further pegs, he may do so. Pieces may jump along the lines in any direction. Only one piece may be moved in one turn, but it may be taken as far as the jumping possibilities allow.
A popular strategy is to place some pieces so that they form a ladder along which the others can jump towards the goal; such a ladder may be equally useful, however, to an opponent who is moving his pieces in the opposite direction.

Rules placement: pasted inside the lid, in Englis and French
Summary
Chinese chequers may have been introduced to Europe from China where it is played today. However, it is just as likely that it was brought in from Europe via Japan. The basic shape of the playing surface is a six pointed star, often with the corners coloured to match the playing pieces. There are 36 coloured counters, divided into six sets of six. The usual colours are red, yellow, purple, blue, orange and pink. The aim of the game is for one player to be the first to transfer all his pieces to the opposite corner of the board.
Collection
Accession number
MISC.68-1983

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Record createdMarch 4, 2000
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