How to Play Checkers

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Checkers, also known as draughts, is a fun and easy game that dates back to the 12th century. To win a game of checkers, your goal is to capture or block your opponent's pieces so that they can no longer make a move. You can move faster by jumping your opponent's pieces and removing them from the board. The concept of checkers is simple, but you can use strategies to improve your chances of winning. We'll teach you the rules and basic gameplay of checkers!

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Game Setup

PDF download Download Article
  1. Before you set up the board, you need to choose who goes first. You can do this based on who won the last game, a coin toss , or by any other method. The person who will go first will take the black checkers and the other will take the white. [1]
    • Keep in mind that in checkers, the player with the black checkers always goes first.
  2. Sit across from your opponent and place the board between you and your opponent. The board is made up of 64 alternating dark and light squares which appear in 8 rows of 8. There are 32 light squares and 32 dark squares. Place the board so that each player has a light-colored square on the corner of the board on his or her right side. [2]
    Advertisement
  3. Have each player place their pieces on the 12 dark squares in the first three rows closest to them. Each of these three rows should have a total of 4 checkers. Remember that checkers may only move in diagonal directions on the dark squares. [3]
    • Since the board has 8 rows, 6 of the rows will be taken up by the players' checkers and two rows will be left open in the middle of the board.
  4. In tournament checkers games, each player gets five minutes to make a move. If you want to time each other’s moves to keep the game moving along, make sure that you place a timer near the checkers board before you begin a game. [4]
    5. Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Checkers Rules and Gameplay

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Play Checkers
    You can only move one checker one diagonal space forward (toward your opponent’s checkers) during a regular turn. Checkers must stay on the dark squares. Once the player with black checkers makes their first move, the player with white checkers moves, and then you’ll take turns. [5]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Play Checkers
    If your checker is in the diagonal space nearest to one of your opponent's checkers, then you can jump and capture that checker. To capture a checker, move two diagonal spaces in the direction of the checker you’re attacking, like you are hopping over your opponent's piece. [6]
    • The space on the other side of your opponent’s checker has to be empty so that you can move into it.
    • If you have the opportunity to jump your opponent's checker, then the rules state you must jump it.
    • If you have the opportunity to jump your opponent's checker in multiple parts of the board, then you can choose which checkers you'd like to jump.
    • If the new position you land in gives you a direct opportunity to capture another checker, then you must keep going until you can't capture any more of your opponent's checkers.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Play Checkers
    To crown a checker and make it a king checker, simply place one of your own captured pieces on top of it. The king can move forward and backward diagonally on the dark squares, so it's easier for king checkers to capture your opponent's checkers. [7]
    • Kings can still only move one diagonal space at a time during a non-capture move. However, when a king is capturing checkers, it can move forward and backward on the same turn.
    • This would apply only if a king were doing a capture move that required it to change directions, such as if two checkers were lined up next to each other on dark squares in a horizontal line. To capture these checkers, the king would have to jump forwards and then backwards.
    • Some checkers sets have a crown on the back of the checkers, so you can just flip a piece over once it is crowned to designate it as the king.
    • There is no limit to how many crowned pieces you can have.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Play Checkers
    Continue jumping and capturing your opponent's checkers until they are all removed from the board. Once you have captured all of your opponent’s checkers, you have won the game! [8]
    • A less common way to win is when all of your opponent's pieces are blocked so that your opponent can't make any more moves.
    5. Advertisement
Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Strategies and Tactics

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Play Checkers
    A beginner may be tempted to keep their pieces at the edges of the board and to try to avoid the opponent's checkers as much as possible, but this is a mistake. Work on capturing your opponent’s checkers rather than going out of your way to defend your own. It’s okay if some of your pieces get captured as long as you capture more of your opponent’s pieces.
    • Be bold and try to capture your opponent's checkers whenever you can.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Play Checkers
    If you move a stray checker a few squares forward without moving the rest of your checkers, that piece will be vulnerable to capture. Instead, try keeping some of your checkers together, like a blockade. The center of the board is a good place to have a group of checkers protecting each other as they move forward. Just try not to move all of your checkers towards the center because it will be hard to move them. [9]
    • If your checkers move together, it will be harder for your opponent to capture your checkers. But if your opponent does still manage to capture your checker, then you'll have a piece waiting to capture his checker as well.
  3. If your opponent gets a piece to your back row, then it will be crowned and more difficult to capture. Keeping a full back row is the best way to keep your opponent from crowning his pieces. It will also make it easier for you to capture any opposing pieces that approach your back row.
  4. If you're ahead in the game, or even dead even with your opponent, don't be afraid to sacrifice a piece if it means you'll be able to capture your opponent's piece back or gain a significant positional advantage. Keep the forward momentum going. [10]
    • Do what you can to avoid having your king captured. The king is much more valuable than a regular checker.
    • Don't trade pieces if it will make it easier for your opponent to king a piece.
    • Trade one for two. Give up one of your pieces if it means you can capture two of your opponent's pieces in return.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Play Checkers
    You should focus on crowning as many of your pieces as possible, as well as on keeping your opponent from crowning his pieces. This should be a priority as you advance in the game. However, don't crown your pieces if it means losing several checkers on the way. Be strategic about knowing when to crown your piece.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Play Checkers
    Try to keep his active pieces blocked if you can, so he will be forced to play with pieces such as those in the back row. If all your opponent's pieces are blocked and cannot move, then he will lose. You can also work on capturing more of your opponent’s pieces or crowning your own.
  7. Though there's no foolproof way to win at checkers every single time. The more you play, the more you'll understand how to strategize. If you want to be a checkers expert, you should try to play as much as you can to improve your game. [11]
    • Try playing with someone above your skill level. This will challenge you and will force you to pick up your game.
    • If you are babysitting, you can take this board game and play it with the kids.
    • Even if the kids have a house full of toys, whatever you bring along will be new and exciting.
    • Parents will also notice that you are more proactive and prepared than other babysitters who arrive empty-handed.
  8. Watch an expert checkers player, either in person or on television. You'll pick up a lot of pointers just by watching an expert maneuver their pieces around the board. Pay attention to what the expert does in certain situations. [12]
    • Try reading about checkers strategies online or in books as well. Some checkers experts have written about their strategies and reading about them may help you to improve your game.
    9. Advertisement


Printable Rule and Strategy Sheets


Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Can the king jump forward and then continue jumping in a diagonal?
    Community Answer
    Yes.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 57 Helpful 181
  • Question
    How do you capture the king?
    Community Answer
    The same way you capture any other checker. It's just more tricky since the king has more flexibility to move around, and you have to be careful so it doesn't capture you first. Think carefully about your moves.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 44 Helpful 190
  • Question
    Can a kinged checker move more than one square to the side?
    Community Answer
    Traditionally, no. The kings can still move only 1 space, but the difference between kings and regular checkers is that kings can move in any direction.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 49 Helpful 116
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Read Video Transcript

      Tips

      • When your pieces are on the edge of the board, they can't be jumped. Use this to your advantage.
        Thanks
        Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
      • Keep your back row until most of your opponent's checkers are lined up in front of them. Then you can jump a lot of pieces!
        Thanks
        Helpful 5 Not Helpful 1
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      • Checkerboard
      • Checkers
      • Someone to play with you

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Play Backgammon
      How to
      Play Chess
      How to
      Win at Chinese Checkers
      How to
      Play Mahjong
      How to
      Play Dominoes
      How to
      Play Risk: Board Setup, Rules, Strategy, & More
      Sequence Game Rules: How to Play the Classic Strategy Game
      How to
      Win Mancala
      How to
      Win at Checkers
      Chinese Checkers Rules: How to Play & Win
      How to
      Set up and Play Backgammon: Your Complete Guide
      A Beginner's Guide to Playing Sungka or Congkak
      A Beginner’s Guide to Go: Setup, Rules, & Gameplay
      How to
      Play Mexican Train Dominoes
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnHQJ-PSBB0
      2. ↑ http://www.darkfish.com/checkers/rules.html
      3. ↑ http://www.darkfish.com/checkers/rules.html
      4. ↑ http://www.darkfish.com/checkers/rules.html
      5. ↑ http://www.itsyourturn.com/t_helptopic2030.html#helpitem1197
      6. ↑ http://www.itsyourturn.com/t_helptopic2030.html#helpitem1197
      7. ↑ http://www.se.rit.edu/~swen-261/projects/WebCheckers/American%20Rules.html
      8. ↑ http://www.darkfish.com/checkers/rules.html
      9. ↑ https://www.usacheckers.com/excerpt-oldbury.php
      1. ↑ https://www.usacheckers.com/excerpt-oldbury.php
      2. ↑ https://www.usacheckers.com/excerpt-oldbury.php
      3. ↑ https://www.usacheckers.com/excerpt-oldbury.php

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Checkers is a 2-player game that's played on a special board called a checkerboard. The goal of the game is to capture each of your opponents pieces, called “men,” or to make it impossible for them to move a piece. To play, first each player sets up their 12 pieces in the 3 rows at the bottom of their side. Each row should have 4 pieces, and each piece should be placed on a dark square. Then, players take alternating turns moving pieces forward diagonally on the dark squares. Pieces cannot be moved on to the white squares, and a piece may not move backwards. As players move their pieces, they want to capture their opponent's pieces by jumping over them diagonally on the board. In order to jump a piece, the dark square on the opposite diagonal side of the piece must be unoccupied. Once a piece has been jumped, it is removed from the game. If another jump is available after a piece has been removed, the player that captured the first piece must jump the next available piece. If a player moves their piece all the way to the opposite side of the board, that piece becomes a king. Place another piece of the same color on top of it to signify that it is a king. Kings can move forwards or backwards, but must stay on the same color as the rest of the pieces. The game is over when a player wins by removing all of their opponent’s pieces or making it impossible for their opponent to legally move a piece. If you want to learn more, like how to block your opponent's moves, keep reading!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 3,606,923 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Joann Coleman

        Jan 8, 2017

        "The whole thing was a nice refresher, as it has been such a very long time since I've played. Now I'm ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement