How to Play Checkers
Checkers, also known as Draughts, is one of the oldest board games in the world. The game is played on an 8×8 board with 12 pieces per side. Red moves first, and players take turns moving their pieces diagonally forward.
Basic Rules
Pieces move one square diagonally forward. If an opponent's piece is adjacent and the square beyond it is empty, you must jump over it and capture the piece. Captures are mandatory—if you can jump, you must. Multiple jumps in a single turn are allowed when landing on a square that enables another capture.
Kings
When a piece reaches the opposite back row, it becomes a king. Kings can move and capture both forward and backward diagonally, making them powerful pieces. The game ends when one player has no pieces left or no valid moves available.
Strategy Tips
Control the center of the board, protect your back row to prevent your opponent from making kings, and try to force your opponent into positions where they must give up pieces. Setting up double or triple jumps can turn the tide of the game. Sacrificing a piece to gain a positional advantage is a classic tactic in advanced play.
Play Online
This free online Checkers game runs in your browser with no download required. Choose 2-player mode to play with a friend on the same device, or challenge the AI at Easy, Medium, or Hard difficulty. Track your session stats and build winning streaks as you improve your strategy.