Brazilian checkers is the answer to a specific frustration: you've outgrown American checkers, but the 10×10 international board feels like a lot of new ground to learn at once. Brazilian keeps the board you already know — standard 8×8, 12 pieces — and simply upgrades the rules to the full international ruleset. Same familiar size, far more depth.
What makes Brazilian checkers different
It runs the international ruleset — backward captures for men, flying kings, and mandatory maximum capture — on the standard 8×8 board. So the three things that change versus American checkers are exactly the international additions, with nothing else new to learn: same board, same 12 pieces, same setup.
(For the full rundown of how flying kings and the maximum-capture rule work, see the International draughts page — Brazilian uses them identically; this page focuses on why and when to play it.)
Why play Brazilian instead of American or International?
It's the shortest path to "real" draughts depth. American checkers is approachable but limited; full international draughts is deep but asks you to adapt to a bigger board, more pieces, and longer games all at once. Brazilian gives you the entire international ruleset on the board you've already mastered, so the only thing you're learning is the rules, not a whole new geometry. Many players treat it as the natural step up — and on the tighter 8×8 board, the international rules actually feel sharper, because there's less room to escape a forced sequence.
How it feels to play
Because the board is small but men capture backward and you must take the maximum capture, combinations are vicious — there's nowhere to hide a loose piece. Promote a flying king and it controls the short diagonals instantly. Expect quicker, more tactical games than international draughts, with the same "calculate the longest forced line before you move" discipline.
Where it's played
Brazilian checkers (damas brasileiras) is the dominant form of the game in Brazil and popular across South America, with its own competitive following. It's a serious game in its own right, not just a stepping stone — though it makes an excellent one.
Play Brazilian checkers
Play it here against the computer with the full international ruleset on the 8×8 board. If you're brand new, learn the standard rules first; if you want the same game with more room, try international draughts. All variants.