🔴 Checkers
Checkers, known as Draughts outside North America, is one of the oldest board games still played today. Its origins trace back to around 1400 AD in southern France, evolving from an earlier game called Alquerque. The modern 8×8 board version was standardized in the 16th century. In 2007, computer scientists at the University of Alberta announced that checkers had been solved — their program Chinook proved that perfect play from both sides always results in a draw. This made checkers the most complex game ever solved at the time. Despite being solved, checkers remains a beloved game worldwide. The World Checkers/Draughts Federation governs international competition, and the game is played in over 100 countries. American checkers (the most common variant) uses an 8×8 board with 12 pieces per side. Pieces move diagonally forward and must jump over opponent pieces to capture them. When a piece reaches the opposite end of the board, it becomes a King and can move both forward and backward. The game rewards long-term planning, sacrifice tactics, and positional awareness. A key concept is the 'tempo' — controlling the pace of exchanges to force your opponent into unfavorable positions. Checkers also teaches the value of piece activity: a passive piece that can't move is nearly worthless, while an active piece that threatens multiple captures controls the game. Whether you're learning strategy games for the first time or sharpening your tactical thinking, checkers offers a perfect blend of simplicity and depth.
How to Play Checkers
🖥️ Desktop
Click a piece to select it, then click a highlighted square to move. Pieces move diagonally forward one square. If you can jump over an opponent's piece, you must take that capture. Multiple jumps in one turn are allowed and required if available. Reach the opposite end to become a King, which can move both forward and backward.
📱 Mobile
Tap a piece to select it, then tap a valid square to move. Mandatory captures apply — if a jump is available, you must take it. Chain multiple jumps in a single turn when possible. Kings are marked and can move in all diagonal directions.
Game Features
- ✓Classic 8×8 checkers board
- ✓Mandatory capture rule enforced
- ✓King promotion when reaching the back row
- ✓Multi-jump chains in a single turn
- ✓Two-player local multiplayer
Tips & Tricks
- Control the center of the board — central pieces have more mobility and attack options
- Keep your back row intact as long as possible to prevent opponent Kings
- Trade pieces when you have a positional advantage — fewer pieces means your advantage grows
- Create 'bridges' — pairs of pieces that protect each other diagonally
- Force your opponent into positions where they must make unfavorable captures
Frequently Asked Questions
Is checkers a solved game?
Yes. In 2007, researchers at the University of Alberta solved checkers using their program Chinook. With perfect play from both sides, the game always ends in a draw. This makes checkers the most complex game ever fully solved by a computer.
What is the difference between checkers and draughts?
They are the same game with different names. 'Checkers' is used in North America, while 'Draughts' is the term in the UK, Ireland, and many other countries. The rules are identical in the standard 8×8 version.
Do you have to jump in checkers?
Yes, in standard checkers rules, capturing is mandatory. If you have a jump available, you must take it. If multiple jumps are available, you can choose which one to take, but you cannot skip a capture to make a non-capturing move.
How does a piece become a King?
When one of your pieces reaches the farthest row from your starting side (the opponent's back row), it is crowned a King. Kings can move diagonally in all four directions, making them significantly more powerful than regular pieces.