How to Play Checkers
Checkers (also called draughts) is a classic two-player strategy game. Each player controls 12 pieces that move diagonally forward — capturing by jumping over opponents. King your pieces to gain backward movement and dominate the board.
Complete rules
Setup
Each player starts with 12 pieces on the dark squares of the three rows closest to them. The board is 8×8 with 64 squares — only the 32 dark squares are used.
Movement
Regular pieces move diagonally forward one square at a time, always on dark squares. Pieces cannot move backward.
Jumping (capturing)
If an opponent's piece is diagonally adjacent and the square beyond it is empty, you must jump over it — capturing and removing it. Multiple jumps in one turn are allowed (and required if available).
Mandatory jumps
If a jump is available, you MUST take it. You cannot skip a jump to make a different move. If multiple jumps are available, you choose which one to take.
Kinging
When your piece reaches the opponent's back row, it becomes a King. Kings can move and jump both forward AND backward, making them far more powerful.
Winning
Win by capturing all opponent's pieces or leaving them with no legal moves. The game is a draw if neither player can force a win after many moves.
4 winning strategies
Control the center
Pieces in the center control more squares and are harder to corner. Avoid pushing all your pieces to the sides.
Keep your back row
Leaving pieces on your back row prevents the opponent from kinging. Don't sacrifice them carelessly.
Trade when ahead
If you have more pieces, trade aggressively — simplifying the game locks in your advantage.
Think in chains
Before jumping, visualize the entire chain of multiple jumps — sometimes the first jump sets up a losing position.
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Download Board Game BattlesFrequently asked questions
Is checkers the same as draughts?
Yes — "checkers" is the American English name, "draughts" is the British English name for the same game. The standard international rules (English draughts) are identical in both traditions. Some regional variants exist: Brazilian draughts (10×10 board), International draughts (10×10 with flying kings).
Can a King jump backward?
Yes — that's the main advantage of a King. Regular pieces can only move and jump forward. Kings move and jump in all four diagonal directions, making them significantly more powerful and versatile.
What happens if you forget to jump?
In standard rules, if you fail to make a mandatory jump, your opponent may "huff" (remove) the piece that should have jumped as a penalty. In casual play, many players simply ask to take back the move. Always check for available jumps before making any move.
How is checkers different from chess?
Checkers is simpler than chess: all pieces start identical (no different types), movement is limited to diagonal, and there is no concept of check/checkmate. Chess has 6 different piece types with unique movements and strategic depth. Checkers is an excellent first strategy game before learning chess.