Q&A for How to Play Checkers

Yes.

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.

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.

No. Jumping your own chips is an illegal move. Always jump the opposite color chip, never the same color.

Yes, although it is very tricky. Do make sure your own pieces are not captured first.

You do not have to move the checkers on the back line, and this may be used as a defensive tactic to prevent your opponent from getting "kinged."

Only the king can be moved backwards, but a piece can be moved as many times as you need. When it reaches the other side of the board, can only be moved sideways, besides the king.

Yes. If the opportunity is there, you must jump them.

No, the king does not have to jump.

No, because the edge of the board had no spaces behind it.

You're not allowed to not jump. That's against the rules of the game and disqualifies you. Unless you had more than one opportunity and could only use one of them during your turn. Then you don't lose anything unless your opponent happens to jump you.

Your piece sits there until you lose a different piece and are able to king it.

One game has nothing to do with the other. It's pointless to compare those pieces.

No, you can jump only your opponent's pieces.

No, if your opponent takes your piece, it is your turn, unless he does a double jump.

No, you can only use your checkers. The game will get confusing if everyone has different colored checkers. The goal is to take all of the opponent's checkers.

Yes, and sometimes toward the end of the game all the checkers remaining on the board are kings!

Plan and strategize your moves, so that your in a situation where they can't jump you and, if you really know what you're doing, are in a position to double jump your opponent.

You may like to call this a draw, as it can last a while, or you can chase each other around until one of you makes a fatal mistake.

No, as that is against the rules and will disqualify you.

Yes, it can.

They can only move one space at a time. The only difference between a king and a regular piece is that kings can move backwards.

Back up our blocked piece, or move a different piece, to a position in which the opponent is forced to move.

If your piece is a king, then yes. Otherwise, not really. The king is the only piece that can go backwards.

You and your opponent can agree to an undo.

Only if you are a king. In the beginning of the game, when your pieces begin moving towards the other side of the board, you can't turn back until you are a king.

They cannot jump their own. They must move one by one unless they are jumping.

No, in Checkers you are never allowed to jump over your own piece. You can jump your opponents, but not yourself.

No, not necessarily. You can make your own rules in a friendly match.

Use a different strategy, and even copy your opponent's strategy. When you are about to have your turn and move a checker, look carefully at each of the checkers and think carefully about your move.