How to play checkers
- You are red and move first. Tap a piece, then tap a highlighted square to move.
- Ordinary pieces (men) move one square diagonally forward onto dark squares.
- Captures are mandatory: if you can jump over an adjacent enemy piece into the empty square beyond, you must take a jump. Chain extra jumps with the same piece while they exist.
- Reach the far row to get crowned a king 👑 — kings move and capture diagonally in both directions.
- Win by capturing every enemy piece, or by leaving your opponent with no legal move.
3 winning tips for beginners
- Keep pieces paired up — a lone piece on the edge is an easy target; two pieces side by side protect each other.
- Control the center — central pieces have more moves and more jumping options than pieces stuck on the sides.
- Don't rush to king — pushing one piece deep while the rest lag behind usually loses it. Advance as a group.
🔗 See also
- Tic-Tac-Toe vs AI — quick 3-in-a-row battles
- Connect Four — drop discs, connect four to win
- 15 Puzzle — the classic sliding-tiles brain teaser
- Winter Sun in Europe 2026 — plan your October escape
Frequently asked questions
Do you have to jump (capture) in checkers?
Yes. Under official English draughts rules, capturing is mandatory: if any of your pieces can jump an opponent's piece, you must take one of the available jumps. If the jumping piece can keep jumping, it must continue the multi-jump in the same turn.
What is the difference between checkers and draughts?
They are the same game. "Checkers" is the usual name in North America; "draughts" is used in the UK and much of Europe. This game follows English draughts rules on the standard 8×8 board with 12 pieces per side.
Can I play checkers online for free with no sign-up?
Yes — this checkers game is completely free, runs in your browser and needs no account. Play against the computer on three difficulty levels or play a friend on the same device.
How does a piece become a king in checkers?
When a man reaches the farthest row of the board, it is crowned a king and the turn ends immediately. Kings can move and capture diagonally in both directions, one square at a time, making them much stronger than ordinary pieces.
How do you win at checkers?
You win by capturing every one of your opponent's pieces, or by blocking them so they have no legal move on their turn. A game can also end in a draw if neither side captures for 50 moves.