Play checkers online for free with the classic American rules on an 8×8 board. You play the red pieces at the bottom and move first, against the computer or a friend sitting next to you. Captures are mandatory, multi-jumps are allowed, and reaching the far row crowns a king. It is quick to learn, great for kids and still full of clever tactics for adults.
How to play
- Pieces move diagonally forward onto dark squares.
- Capture by jumping over an opponent’s piece to the empty square behind it.
- Captures are mandatory, and you can chain several jumps in one turn.
- Reach the far row to crown a king, which can move backwards too.
- Win by capturing all enemy pieces or leaving them with no legal moves.
Controls
- Click or tap a piece to select it. Pieces that are able to move glow, so you always know your options.
- Click or tap the target square to move. For a multi-jump, tap each landing square in turn.
- Use Undo to take back a move, or New game to start a fresh match.
Tips and strategy
- Keep your back row filled as long as you can. It stops your opponent from getting a king easily.
- Because captures are mandatory, you can offer one piece on purpose to force your opponent into a jump that sets up a double jump for you.
- Move your pieces in groups. Lone pieces in the open are easy targets.
- Control the center squares. Pieces there have more ways to move and attack.
- Get a king as soon as it is safe. A king can move backward and is much stronger in the endgame.
Game modes and difficulty
Play against the computer on Easy, Medium or Hard. Easy is relaxed and good for children learning the rules, Medium spots most simple captures, and Hard plans traps and multi-jumps several moves ahead. You can also pick 2 Players and play a friend on the same device, passing the turn back and forth.
History and background
Games of jumping pieces over a board are very old, but checkers as we know it took shape in Europe several centuries ago, when pieces from older board games were moved onto a chessboard. In Britain the game is called draughts, and the American and English rules are the same: an 8×8 board, men that move only forward, and kings that move one square in any diagonal direction.
Checkers has long been a favorite in homes, parks and cafés because a game is quick and the rules fit on one page. It was also one of the first games studied seriously by computer scientists.
Frequently asked questions
Is jumping mandatory in this checkers game?
Yes. If you can capture, you must. When a capture is available the game will only let you move a piece that can jump.
How do kings move?
A king moves one square diagonally, both forward and backward, and can also capture in both directions.
Can I play checkers with a friend?
Yes. Choose 2 Players and take turns on the same device. Remote online play is not available.
Does it work on my phone?
Yes. The board adapts to any screen and you simply tap pieces and squares. Nothing needs to be installed.