principle of the game.

In beginning the game, a great advantage can be obtained by having the
first move; the rule, therefore, is, if several games are played, that
the first move be taken alternately by the players.

When either of the players has, with his men, reached the extreme row
of squares on the opposite side (the first row of his opponent), those
men are entitled to be crowned, which is done by placing on the top of
each another man, which may be selected from the men already removed
from the board. The men so crowned are called "Kings" and have a new
power of movement, as the player may now move them either backward or
forward, as he wills, but always diagonally as before.

The Kings having this double power of movement, it is an important
point for a player to get as many men crowned as possible. If each
player should be fortunate enough to get two or three Kings, the game
becomes very exciting. Immediately after crowning, it is well for a
player to start blocking up his opponent's men, so as to allow more
freedom for his own pieces, and thus prepare for winning the game.

It is the rule that if a player touch one of his men he must play it.
If player A omit to take a man when it is in his power to do so, his
opponent B can huff him; that is, take the man of the player A off the
board. If it is to B's advantage, he may insist on his own man being
taken, which is called a "blow." The usual way is to take the man of
the player A who made the omission, and who was huffed, off the board.

It is not considered right or fair for any one watching the game to
advise what move to be made, or for a player to wait longer than five