Q&A for How to Play Checkers

Return to Full Article

Coming soon

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 49 Helpful 173
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 42 Helpful 177
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 44 Helpful 106
Question

Can I jump my own pieces?

Community Answer

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

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 43 Helpful 88
Question

Can a king be jumped by a regular checker?

Community Answer

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

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 20 Helpful 64
Question

Can I keep my checkers on the back line?

Community Answer

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."

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 32 Helpful 79
Question

How many times can one piece be moved back and forth?

Community Answer

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.

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 35 Helpful 75
Question

Do you have to take a jump?

Stephz16

Community Answer

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

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 33 Helpful 80
Question

Does a king have to jump an opponent's piece if it has the opportunity to do so, even if it makes the king vulnerable?

Community Answer

No, the king does not have to jump.

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 31 Helpful 77
Question

Can you jump pieces on the edge of the board?

Community Answer

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

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 39 Helpful 55
Question

If I don't jump my opponent when I can, do I lose my checker?

Community Answer

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.

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 17 Helpful 29
Question

What happens if you get to the edge of the board and you don't have any captured pieces to put on top of it?

Community Answer

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

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 11 Helpful 24
Question

The king in checkers moves as the dark-squared bishop from chess, right? It makes no sense that the most powerful piece in one game is only averagely powerful in another.

Donagan

Top Answerer

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

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 10 Helpful 9
Question

Can I jump my own checkers?

Community Answer

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

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 12 Helpful 4
Question

If I don't jump, then can my opponent take my man and then still have his turn?

AwesomeSaucy

Community Answer

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

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 6 Helpful 9
Question

Can we use our opponent's captured checkers as our own?

AwesomeSaucy

Community Answer

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.

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 7 Helpful 5
Question

Can there be more than 1 king?

Community Answer

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

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 4 Helpful 5
Question

How can I avoid getting double-jumped?

Cool⚡️KID

Community Answer

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.

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 2 Helpful 5
Question

What if I am faced with king to king?

Community Answer

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.

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 1 Helpful 9
Question

Can I block a jump instead of jumping?

Community Answer

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

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 0 Helpful 6
Question

Can a single checker jump a king?

Community Answer

Yes, it can.

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 0 Helpful 5
Question

How many spaces can the king move?

AwesomeSaucy

Community Answer

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.

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 3 Helpful 3
Question

What should I do if I get blocked?

Community Answer

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

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 9 Helpful 7
Question

Can I take an opponent by moving backwards?

Joshua

Community Answer

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

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 1 Helpful 1
Question

Can my opponent take back his move if he made a mistake?

Community Answer

You and your opponent can agree to an undo.

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 1 Helpful 2
Question

If I have an opportunity to jump backwards can I do it?

Community Answer

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.

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 1 Helpful 1
Question

Can a king jump his own man?

Community Answer

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

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 1 Helpful 0
Question

Can I set myself up to jump more than one of my own checkers to get a king?

AwesomeSaucy

Community Answer

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

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 1 Helpful 2
Question

Does black always have to start first?

Community Answer

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

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 0 Helpful 1
Question

I keep losing every game. What can I do?

Community Answer

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.

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 0 Helpful 1