How to Play Checkers

Rules and tips for checkers, for first-time players.

How to play checkers (American rules)

1
Checkers is played on the dark squares of an 8×8 board. Each player starts with 12 pieces on the three rows nearest them. Black moves first.
2
Pieces move one square diagonally forward to an empty square.
3
You capture by jumping diagonally over an opponent's piece to the empty square beyond it. If a capture is available, you must take it (you can choose which one).
4
If you can keep jumping after landing, you must continue until no more jumps are possible.
5
A piece that reaches the far row becomes a king and can move and capture diagonally backward as well as forward. If a piece is crowned during a jump, its turn ends there.
6
You win by capturing all of your opponent's pieces or leaving them with no legal move.

Tips to win

Keep pieces on your back row as long as you can. It makes it much harder for your opponent to get a king.
Control the center squares to give your pieces more room to move.
Use the forced-capture rule: offer one piece so you can jump two in return.
When you're ahead on pieces, trade them off. Fewer pieces makes your advantage easier to convert.

Play checkers →

FAQ

Is this checkers game free?

Yes, and there's no sign-up. Play right in your browser on a phone, tablet or computer.

Which rules do you use?

American checkers (English draughts): an 8×8 board, pieces move one square diagonally forward, kings move one square diagonally in any direction, and captures are mandatory.

Can two people play?

Yes. Choose "2 players" as the opponent and take turns on the same device.

Can I undo a move?

Yes, as many times as you like. Against the computer, undo takes you back to before your last move.

Is this the same as Chinese checkers?

No. Chinese checkers is a different game played on a star-shaped board, where you race your pieces into the opposite corner.

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