How do men move and capture in Tanzania Drafti?

Men move one square diagonally forward only. They can NEVER move or capture backward under any circumstances.

Is King vs King a draw in TzDraft?

Yes, per official TZD v2.4 rules, a 1-King vs 1-King position is an immediate draw due to insufficient material.

What is the 'Free Choice' capture rule?

In Tanzania Drafti, if multiple capture sequences are available, you may choose any legal sequence regardless of the number or quality of pieces captured.

Official Standard

TZD-8x8-v1

Rules & Standards

Last Updated: February 2026

01. Board & Setup

Board size: 8 × 8, dark squares only | Ukubwa wa ubao: 8 × 8, sanduku nyeusi pekee
Each player starts with 12 pieces | Kila mchezaji anaanza na kete 12
White moves first | Nyeupe huanza kwanza
Coordinates: A–H files, 1–8 ranks | Vishiria: A–H kwa safu, 1–8 kwa mistari

02. Movement & Promotion

Men

Move one square diagonally forward | Husonga sanduku moja mbele kwa ulalo
Cannot move backward | Haziruhusiwi kurudi nyuma
Promote on reaching the opponent’s back rank | Hupandishwa (Kingi) ukifikia mwisho wa adui

Kings

Flying kings: move diagonally any number of squares | Kingi huruka: husonga kwa ulalo umbali wowote
Capture diagonally forward and backward over distance | Hula mbele au nyuma kwa ulalo kwa umbali

03. Captures

Capturing is mandatory when any capture exists | Ula ni lazima ikiwa kuna nafasi ya kula
Any capture route is allowed (no max-capture requirement) | Njia yoyote ya kula inaruhusiwa
Multi-captures are allowed when available | Mnyororo wa kula unaruhusiwa ukipatikana
Capture path defines which pieces are removed | Njia ya kula inaamua kete zipi zinaondolewa

04. Endgame Rules

Time loss is a draw in 3 vs 1 material | Muda ukimalizika ni sare kwa 3 dhidi ya 1
Automatic 12-move countdown for 1 king vs 3 kings | Hesabu ya hatua 12 kwa 1 kingi dhidi ya 3 kingi
The 3-king side must win before move 13 or it’s a draw | Upande wa kingi 3 lazima ushinde kabla ya hatua ya 13
No special rule for 1 vs 4 material | Hakuna sheria maalum kwa 1 dhidi ya 4

TzDraft