Checkers
4.6 / 5(307,328 Votes)How to play Checkers
Play vs. the computer, or against an online opponent!
The goal of Checkers, or "Draughts", is to remove all your opponent's pieces from the board. Use your finger to move your pieces around the board. Your pieces can only move forward one tile diagonally (they always stay on the brown tiles).
To capture an opponent's piece and remove it from the board, you need to "jump" over their piece with one of yours. If after jumping, your piece could make another jump, it is allowed to make additional jumps. If one of your pieces gets to the opposite side of the board (your opponent's back row), it will turn into a King. Kings can move and jump diagonally in any direction. They can even combine jumps forward and backward on the same turn!
You win by removing all of your opponent's pieces from the board, or if your opponent can't make a move.
CHECKERS TIPS & TRICKS
While Checkers is not quite as popular as a game like Chess, there is still a lot of strategy involved. Not to worry though, there are a few key strategies that you can use to win some games.
Don’t hug the sides
Rookie players sometimes rely on the sides of the board for safety, since pieces on the sides cannot be jumped. However, it’s best to advance your pieces toward the center. It may seem like you’re more vulnerable to attacks from this position, but ultimately, claiming the center will give you more mobility.
Save the last row for later
The back row of checkers on either side is called the “home row.” It’s best to keep this row in reserve until you need the pieces most. Keeping your home row occupied will prevent your opponent from making Kings and gives you an opportunity to jump and capture any opposing pieces that come too close.
Focus on the endgame
At the start of the game, you should put all your focus on moving as many pieces as you can to the other side of the board to build a team of Kings. In Checkers, the player with more kinged pieces on the table is the one most likely to win the match, so it’s best to start early!
Set up a blockade
Your opponent loses when you capture all of their pieces or if they can no longer make any moves. It may be a bit tricky, but as you move your pieces across the board, look for opportunities to create a wall around your opponent’s checkers. Blocking the enemy will automatically hand you the victory.
Make a trade
If you’re ahead in the game, it may be beneficial to sacrifice or trade some of your pieces if it means obtaining more opposing pieces and advancing further across the board.
WHAT YOU LEARN FROM PLAYING CHECKERS
Playing Checkers teaches basic spatial awareness and boosts problem-solving skills and memory recall.
The goal of Checkers, or "Draughts" is to remove all your opponent's pieces from the board. Use your mouse to move your pieces around the board. Your pieces can only move forward one tile diagonally (they always stay on the brown tiles).
To capture an opponent's piece and remove it from the board, you need to "jump" over their piece with one of yours. If after jumping, your piece could make another jump, it is allowed to make additional jumps. If one of your pieces gets to the opposite side of the board (your opponent's back row), it will turn into a King. Kings can move and jump diagonally in any direction. They can even combine jumps forward and backward on the same turn!
You win by removing all of your opponent's pieces from the board, or if your opponent can't make a move.
CHECKERS TIPS & TRICKS
While Checkers is not quite as popular as a game like Chess, there is still a lot of strategy involved. Not to worry though, there are a few key strategies that you can use to win some games.
Don’t hug the sides
Rookie players sometimes rely on the sides of the board for safety, since pieces on the sides cannot be jumped. However, it’s best to advance your pieces toward the center. It may seem like you’re more vulnerable to attacks from this position, but ultimately, claiming the center will give you more mobility.
Save the last row for later
The back row of checkers on either side is called the “home row.” It’s best to keep this row in reserve until you need the pieces most. Keeping your home row occupied will prevent your opponent from making Kings and gives you an opportunity to jump and capture any opposing pieces that come too close.
Focus on the endgame
At the start of the game, you should put all your focus on moving as many pieces as you can to the other side of the board to build a team of Kings. In Checkers, the player with more kinged pieces on the table is the one most likely to win the match, so it’s best to start early!
Set up a blockade
Your opponent loses when you capture all of their pieces or if they can no longer make any moves. It may be a bit tricky, but as you move your pieces across the board, look for opportunities to create a wall around your opponent’s checkers. Blocking the enemy will automatically hand you the victory.
Make a trade
If you’re ahead in the game, it may be beneficial to sacrifice or trade some of your pieces if it means obtaining more opposing pieces and advancing further across the board.
WHAT YOU LEARN FROM PLAYING CHECKERS
Playing Checkers teaches basic spatial awareness and boosts problem-solving skills and memory recall.
Which game is easier – Chess or Checkers?
While they are played on the same board, Chess and Checkers are extremely different. It’s really the case of apples and oranges. While Chess does have more variables to consider, it’s kind of like comparing apples and oranges. They’re so different, so unique to one another, so there’s not much point in even trying to decide which is easier.
We can say for certain that they are both tons of fun to play! You can find both of them on our Classic Games Playlist.
Can you double jump in Checkers?
Of course you can! As long as you can take out another piece after jumping, it is completely legal to double jump. You can even make a triple jump if the pieces are lined up properly for it. Make sure to be on the lookout for double and triple jumps, they are extremely important to execute if you want to win.
How old is Checkers?
Checkers goes back an incredibly long way. In fact, most historians think that it goes back thousands of years, all the way back to the predynastic period.
How many pieces are there in Checkers?
There are 24 pieces in Checkers, with 12 on the white side and 12 on the black side. Each team has its pieces divided equally among 3 rows, which means that there are 4 pieces on each row.
What is the best first move in Checkers?
The best first move in Chess is to immediately move your piece in the front row to the edge of the board and establish the outside attack. This is useful because pieces that are on the very edge are unable to get taken by your opponent, making this a very powerful position to move to.
What are Games Like Checkers?
- Chess: Play Chess against the computer or your friends!
- Yacht: Try to roll five of a kind in this Yahtzee-style game!
- Rock, Paper, Scissors: The cutest Rock, Paper, Scissors game ever!
- Push Your Luck: Step up and spin the wheel!
- Mancala: A classic board game. Can you beat your opponent?
- Sudoku: Fill in the spaces with the right numbers.
- Strategic Tic-Tac-Toe: Are you a Tic Tac Toe pro? Try this version!
- Reversi: Cover the board with your color in this classic game.
- Backgammon: Get all your pieces off the board.
How to play Checkers on your phone
Did you know you can also play Checkers on your phone? It’s a great way to play without worrying about losing your save data.
For iOS devices, simply tap the "Share" icon 
in Safari and select "Add to Home Screen". For Android devices, tap the “Menu” icon 
and select "Install App".
Game Progress
4.6 / 5(307,328 Votes)How to play Checkers
Play vs. the computer, or against an online opponent!
The goal of Checkers, or "Draughts", is to remove all your opponent's pieces from the board. Use your finger to move your pieces around the board. Your pieces can only move forward one tile diagonally (they always stay on the brown tiles).
To capture an opponent's piece and remove it from the board, you need to "jump" over their piece with one of yours. If after jumping, your piece could make another jump, it is allowed to make additional jumps. If one of your pieces gets to the opposite side of the board (your opponent's back row), it will turn into a King. Kings can move and jump diagonally in any direction. They can even combine jumps forward and backward on the same turn!
You win by removing all of your opponent's pieces from the board, or if your opponent can't make a move.
CHECKERS TIPS & TRICKS
While Checkers is not quite as popular as a game like Chess, there is still a lot of strategy involved. Not to worry though, there are a few key strategies that you can use to win some games.
Don’t hug the sides
Rookie players sometimes rely on the sides of the board for safety, since pieces on the sides cannot be jumped. However, it’s best to advance your pieces toward the center. It may seem like you’re more vulnerable to attacks from this position, but ultimately, claiming the center will give you more mobility.
Save the last row for later
The back row of checkers on either side is called the “home row.” It’s best to keep this row in reserve until you need the pieces most. Keeping your home row occupied will prevent your opponent from making Kings and gives you an opportunity to jump and capture any opposing pieces that come too close.
Focus on the endgame
At the start of the game, you should put all your focus on moving as many pieces as you can to the other side of the board to build a team of Kings. In Checkers, the player with more kinged pieces on the table is the one most likely to win the match, so it’s best to start early!
Set up a blockade
Your opponent loses when you capture all of their pieces or if they can no longer make any moves. It may be a bit tricky, but as you move your pieces across the board, look for opportunities to create a wall around your opponent’s checkers. Blocking the enemy will automatically hand you the victory.
Make a trade
If you’re ahead in the game, it may be beneficial to sacrifice or trade some of your pieces if it means obtaining more opposing pieces and advancing further across the board.
WHAT YOU LEARN FROM PLAYING CHECKERS
Playing Checkers teaches basic spatial awareness and boosts problem-solving skills and memory recall.
Which game is easier – Chess or Checkers?
While they are played on the same board, Chess and Checkers are extremely different. It’s really the case of apples and oranges. While Chess does have more variables to consider, it’s kind of like comparing apples and oranges. They’re so different, so unique to one another, so there’s not much point in even trying to decide which is easier.
We can say for certain that they are both tons of fun to play! You can find both of them on our Classic Games Playlist.
Can you double jump in Checkers?
Of course you can! As long as you can take out another piece after jumping, it is completely legal to double jump. You can even make a triple jump if the pieces are lined up properly for it. Make sure to be on the lookout for double and triple jumps, they are extremely important to execute if you want to win.
How old is Checkers?
Checkers goes back an incredibly long way. In fact, most historians think that it goes back thousands of years, all the way back to the predynastic period.
How many pieces are there in Checkers?
There are 24 pieces in Checkers, with 12 on the white side and 12 on the black side. Each team has its pieces divided equally among 3 rows, which means that there are 4 pieces on each row.
What is the best first move in Checkers?
The best first move in Chess is to immediately move your piece in the front row to the edge of the board and establish the outside attack. This is useful because pieces that are on the very edge are unable to get taken by your opponent, making this a very powerful position to move to.
How to play Checkers on your phone
To play Checkers easily any time, you can add it directly to your phone as an app. It’s a great way to play without worrying about losing your game save data.
For iOS devices, simply tap the "Share" icon in Safari and select "Add to Home Screen". For Android devices, tap the “Menu” icon and select "Install App".
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