How to play Checkers
The complete rules: setup, moves, jumps, kings and how to win — plus a few useful ideas for your next match.
What you need
Checkers is a two-player strategy game played on an 8×8 board. Each player starts with 12 pieces on the dark squares of the three rows closest to them.
Taking a turn
Move one piece diagonally forward to an empty dark square. Ordinary pieces cannot move backwards. Players alternate turns unless a capture continues.
Capturing
Jump diagonally over an adjacent opponent piece into the empty square beyond it, then remove the jumped piece. If another jump is available from the landing square, continue the same turn. In standard American checkers, a capture must be taken when one is available.
Becoming a king
Reach the far edge of the board to crown that piece as a king. Kings can move and capture diagonally both forwards and backwards.
How to win
Win by capturing every opposing piece or by leaving your opponent with no legal move. A game can be declared a draw when neither player can force progress.
Simple strategy tips
Keep your back row protected early, move pieces in supporting pairs, and look beyond the first capture. Sometimes offering one piece lets you win two or reach the king row.
Play Checkers on your iPhone
Board Hub puts Checkers, Mancala and more classic games in one app.
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