{428}
The black men shall be placed upon the supposed first twelve squares of the
board; the white upon the last twelve squares.
Each player shall play alternately with black and white men. Lots shall be
cast for the colour at the commencement of a match, _the winner to have the
choice of taking_ black _or_ white.
The first move must _invariably_ be made by the person having the black
men.
At the end of five minutes "Time" may be called; and if the move be not
completed on the expiry of another minute, the game shall be adjudged lost
through improper delay.
When there is only _one way_ of taking one or more pieces, "Time" shall be
called at the end of one minute; and if the move be not completed on the
expiry of another minute, the game shall be adjudged lost through improper
delay.
After the first move has been made, if either player arrange any piece
without giving intimation to his opponent, he shall forfeit the game; but,
if it is his turn to play, he may avoid the penalty by playing that piece,
if possible.
After the pieces have been arranged, if the person whose turn it is to play
_touch_ one, he must either play that piece or forfeit the game. When the
piece is not playable, he is penalised according to the preceding law.
If _any part_ of a playable piece be played over an {429} angle of the
square on which it is stationed, the play must be completed in _that
direction_.
A capturing play, as well as an ordinary one, is completed the moment the
hand is withdrawn from the piece played, even though two or more pieces
should have been taken.
When taking, if a player remove one of his own pieces, he cannot replace
it, but his opponent can either play or insist on his replacing it.
Either player making a false or improper move shall forfeit the game to his
opponent, without another move being made.
The "Huff" or "Blow" is, _before one plays his own piece_, to remove from
the board any of the adverse pieces that might or should have taken. The
"Huff" does not constitute a move.
The player has the power either to _huff_, _compel the take_, or to _let
the piece remain on the board_, as he thinks proper.[108]
When a man first reaches any of the squares on the opposite extreme line of
the board, it becomes a "King." It must be crowned (by placing a man of the
same colour on the top of it) by the opponent, and can afterwards be moved
backwards or forwards as the limits of the board permit.
A Draw is when neither of the players can force a win. When one of the
sides appears stronger than the other, the stronger party may be required
to {430} complete the win, or to show a decided advantage over his opponent
_within forty of his own moves_--counted from the point at which notice was
given--failing in which, he must relinquish the game as a draw.
White.
+---------------------------------------+
| | W | | W | | W | | W |
|---------------------------------------|
| W | | W | | W | | W | |
|---------------------------------------|
| | W | | W | | W | | W |
|---------------------------------------|
| | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
| | | | | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
| B | | B | | B | | B | |
|---------------------------------------|
| | B | | B | | B | | B |
|---------------------------------------|
| B | | B | | B | | B | |
+---------------------------------------+
Black.