20. Kings can move backward or forward, one square at a time only; and, to take two or more pieces in one move, there must be a vacant square behind each individual piece.
21. Disputes are to be decided by an umpire, or a majority of the company.
22. Matches must consist, unless otherwise agreed, of an equal number of games. [The rules for regulating a match should be determined and stated in writing. An umpire should be appointed.]
23. During the progress of a game neither player is allowed to leave the room, except by permission of his opponent.
24. Pointing over the board, loud talk, or any other behaviour likely to annoy or confuse an adversary, if persisted in, forfeits the game.
25. No bystander is allowed to advise a player, or interfere with the progress of a game.
26. A breach of any of the above laws is punishable by the loss of the game, if in the opinion of the umpire such breach was intentional.
Play with better players than yourself. Observe the openings.
Look well over the board before making a move.
Leave off when your mind is fatigued, and never persist in playing when you stand but small chance of winning.
Waste no time in considering an inevitable move. Take the offered piece without hesitation or delay.
When you are a man ahead, exchange as often as you can, but at the same time beware of man-traps and spring-guns.
Abandon a line of play the secret of which is discovered by your adversary; and when a piece must be lost, make no attempt to retain it. Sometimes it is safer to give up a man than to defend a weak position.
Make your kings as quickly as you can. Avoid all cramped positions. Back up your men in phalanx fashion:--
and move rather towards the centre than to the sides of the board. Be careful not to move out your men too soon from the safety of the back row.
Play with your head as well as with your fingers. Avoid banter and loud talk. Boast not of your victories. Win modestly, and lose with good temper. Punctuality is the politeness of kings. Courtesy is the grand characteristic of good draught-players.
There is a good deal of amusement and no little skill in the Losing Game. As its name denotes, this game is the reverse of Draughts proper. The object is to lose all your men; and he who accomplishes that object wins.