Checkers rules used here
This game uses standard English draughts / American checkers rules. The board has 8×8 squares and each side starts with 12 pieces on the dark squares of the three rows nearest to them. Red moves first. Ordinary pieces (men) move one square diagonally forward. If an enemy piece is diagonally next to yours and the square behind it is empty, you jump over it and capture it.
- Captures are mandatory. If any jump is available you must take one. The game marks this with "capture is mandatory".
- Multi-jumps. After a jump, if the same piece can jump again it must continue. The game plays the whole sequence for you when you tap the final square.
- Kings. A man that reaches the far row is crowned king (shown with a crown). Kings move and capture one square diagonally both forward and backward. Reaching the far row ends the move.
- Winning. You win when your opponent has no pieces left or cannot make a legal move. After 40 moves each by kings with no capture, the game is declared a draw.
To move, tap one of your highlighted pieces, then tap one of the green dots. On a computer you can click the same way. Undo takes back your move and the computer's reply.
Computer levels
Easy looks only one move ahead and sometimes moves at random – good for learning. Medium searches three moves deep and spots most simple tricks. Hard searches eight moves deep with alpha-beta pruning, always follows captures to the end, and values kings, advancement and the center. Stats are saved per level on your device.
Strategy tips
- Keep your back row. Pieces on your home row stop the opponent from crowning. Many players keep two of them as long as possible.
- Fight for the center. Central pieces have more options and are harder to trap than pieces on the edges.
- Use forced captures. Because jumps are mandatory, you can offer one piece to force your opponent into a position where you take two.
- Move in groups. Pieces that support each other diagonally cannot be jumped.
- Trade when ahead. With more pieces, even exchanges bring you closer to a won endgame.
A short history
Games of jumping and capturing on a board go back many centuries, and the modern 8×8 game has been played in Europe since at least the 1500s. In 2007 researchers announced that checkers is "solved": with perfect play from both sides, it is a draw. That does not make it any less fun to play against a friend or a computer.
FAQ
Is it checkers or draughts?
Both. Checkers is the American name and draughts is the British name for the same 8×8 game with 12 pieces each.
Do I have to capture?
Yes. If a capture is available you must make one. If several are available you can choose any of them.
Can kings move backward?
Yes. Kings move and capture one square diagonally in any direction. Men only move forward.
How does the game end?
When a player has no pieces left or no legal move, they lose. Long king-only shuffles without captures end in a draw.
Can two people play on one phone?
Yes. Choose 2 Players and take turns on the same device. It also works offline after the first visit.