About Checkers
Checkers is a two-player board game played on the dark squares of an eight by eight board. It is also called draughts, especially in Britain. Forms of the game are centuries old. Compulsory capture was added to the game in the 16th century. In 2007, researchers proved that perfect play by both sides ends in a draw. You can play this version against a computer or share one screen with a friend.
How to play
Each side starts with twelve pieces called men. You play from the bottom and move first. A man steps one dark square diagonally toward the far side. To capture, jump over an adjacent enemy piece into the empty square beyond it. Jumps are compulsory: if any piece can jump, you must jump. When the same piece can jump again, continue the chain before passing the turn. You may choose among available jumps. A man that reaches the far row becomes a king and ends its turn. Kings can move and jump one square diagonally in either direction. Take all the other side's pieces, or leave it with no legal move, to win.
On a phone, tap one of your marked pieces and then a dotted destination, or drag the piece there. A destination reachable by exactly one piece can be tapped directly. Mouse players can click or drag the same way. On a keyboard, use arrow keys to move focus between dark squares and Enter or Space to select a piece or destination. Esc clears selection; U undoes, H shows a hint, and N starts a new game. Undo can take back a whole turn, including a computer reply.
Tips
Keep your back row as long as you can; it protects the path to a king. Control the centre, where a piece has more routes. Keep your pieces together so they can support one another. Sometimes offering one piece is useful if the forced jump lets you take two on the next turn. When ahead, trades can simplify the position. Watch for the last jump in a chain before committing to its first landing.
FAQ
Is it free?
Yes. Play in your browser for free, with no download or account.
Do you have to jump?
Yes. If any of your pieces can jump, you must choose a jump. Keep jumping with that piece until it has no jump left.
Can kings move backward?
Yes. Kings can step or jump diagonally forward or backward, one square at a time.
How does a draw happen?
The game is drawn after 40 moves by each side without a jump or man move, or after the same position with the same player to move occurs three times.
Can two people play on one device?
Yes. Choose 2 players and take turns on the same screen.
Does it work on phones?
Yes. Tap a piece and its destination, tap an unambiguous destination directly, or drag a piece.