Checkers Board Game – The Classic We Still Love to Play

Checkers board game

The checkers board game is a game most of us have played at least once. It is often one of the first games we are taught growing up. I remember playing so many games of this with my dad and mom growing up, and fun was always had. It is still a game I will bring out every so often to have a quick play. I always seem to find myself playing this game on weekends away at holiday houses. It really feels like everyone has a copy of this game, haha!

In this article I will go over the rules of the checkers board game, where to play checkers online, how to setup checkers, and where to buy the game.

Checkers board game setup

To setup the checkers board game you require the classic 8×8 squares board. The dark squares are the only squares used. Position the board so that your and your opponent’s light side square is on each player’s right side. You require 24 checkers, 12 of each in a different color. General colors being red and black, beige and white, or black and white.

Each player then takes their 12 checkers in their chosen color, and places 4 on the first row, 4 on the second row, and 4 on the third row, as seen in the above image. Remember, only the dark squares are used. The opponent with the darker checkers moves first.

Checkers board game rules

The objective of the checkers board game is to capture all of your opponent’s checkers, or to force your opponent into a position such that they have no more valid moves to make. Each player moves one checker at a time. They may move the single checker one space forward diagonally.

You capture your opponent’s checker by jumping over their checker and removing it from the board. A jump can only be made when the square behind your opponent’s checker is not occupied by another checker. A checker must be captured if a legal jump can be made. You may capture multiple checkers in one turn if you can perform another jump with the same checker you just moved.

Your single checker may only move forwards unless it becomes a King. You put another single checker ontop of your checker if you move it to the opponent’s backline, turning that checker into a King. That King may now move forwards and backward. Play alternates until the win condition is met.

Checkers board game online

The checkers board game can be played online on various platforms. I will list some places for each of the major platforms below.

PC

If you already own tabletop simulator I would recommend playing this workshop checkers version found on Steam.

Android device

Head over to the google play store and pick up this free app now to play checkers on your android devices. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dimcoms.checkers&hl=en_US&gl=US

Apple device

Head over to the Apple app store and pick up this free app now to play checkers on your apple devices. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/checkers/id294664915

Websites

There are a lot of options, some of which I will list below

• https://gametable.org/games/checkers/
• https://cardgames.io/checkers/
• https://www.247checkers.com/

I have also written an extensive article about playing board games online, which you should definitely read if you would like to play all sorts of other board games online.

Checkers board game for sale

The checkers board game can be found on Amazon for a relatively inexpensive price. They have all kinds for sale, from nice wooden checkers sets to your budget nostalgic checkers sets. I have linked a few of those below.

Wooden checkers board game

Top pick

WE Games Solid Wood Checkers Set – Red & Black Traditional Style with Grooves for Wooden Pieces found on Amazon

Best on a budget

Cardinal Games Wood Checkers & Tic Tac Toe – 2 Sided Game Board and Pieces, multi color, basic pack found on Amazon

Best nostalgic

Point Games Checkers Board – Stackable Grooves to Secure The King found on Amazon

Most durable

Basic Checker Set found on Amazon

Others worth a look

• Attatoy Classic Stackable Wooden Checkers in Natural Wood Color (24 Pieces); with Drawstring Cloth Storage Bag, 1 1/8 Inch
• WE Games Wood Checkers with Stackable Ridge – Dark Brown/Natural
• Pressman Family Classics Checkers — with Folding Board and Interlocking Checkers
• Gamie Wooden Checkers Board Game, Wood Family Board Game for Game Night, Indoor Fun and Parties, Develops Logical Thinking and Strategy, Best Gift Idea for Kids

FAQ

What are the rules to play checkers?

Choose the first player. They take the darker set of checker pieces and play first. At the beginning of the game, they may move a single checker one space diagonally into an unoccupied space towards the opponent’s checkers. Checkers have to stay on the darker squares. You capture the opposing player’s checker by jumping over their checker and removing it from the board. The first person to capture all of their opponent’s checkers wins.

Is Checkers harder than chess?

No, checkers is a lot easier to pick up and play. Chess is a more complex game that takes longer to learn and even longer to master. They are very different games.

What age is appropriate to play checkers?

You can start teaching the game of checkers to your kids from the age of 6 years and up.

Is Checkers good for the brain?

Yes. It stimulates the right and left hemispheres of their brain. Checkers also improves memory, and logic when deciding what the best move to make is.

Can a king be jumped in Checkers?

Yes the king can be jumped in checkers. It can be jumped by single checkers and other kings.

Can a single checker jump a king?

Yes, it can jump a king, but it must obey the movement rules of a single checker. i.e. it can only move diagonally forward on the board.

What is king in Checkers?

A king in checkers is when your single checker reaches the last row on your opponent’s side of the board. You put another single checker of the same color on top of that checker doubling your checker up. This new king piece can now move diagonally backward and forwards.

FAQ – Continued

Do checkers go on black or white?

The checkers go on the black squares. They generally always go on the darker squares if your board is not black and white.

Can you attack backwards in Checkers?

Only kings can attack backwards in checkers. Single checkers can not attack backwards.

Is double jumping allowed in Checkers?

Yes, you can double jump in checkers. It must be the same checker that you moved initially and it must obey all movement rules.

How many kings can you have in Checkers?

It is possible to have 24 kings in checkers, but in reality that number will never be realized.

What happens if you don’t jump in checkers?

Jumps are mandatory in checkers. This includes all subsequent possible jumps from the same checker after the first jump as well. If you don’t jump, your checker is removed from the board. If there are two different checkers that can jump, then only one of those must be chosen to make a jump.

How do you cheat in Checkers?

Don’t cheat, but try these strategies. Keep your back row intact as long as possible to stop your opponents from getting kings. Try and attack and control the center of the board. Try to get your checker to the end of the board to get a king. Be willing to sacrifice your checker especially in one for two scenarios. Force your opponent to make bad jumps by forcing their moves.

Can you jump corners in Checkers?

No you can not jump corners in checkers. There has to be a open diagonal space on the board to jump to.

Why is checkers better than chess?

One game is not better than the other. They are different games. Checkers is easier to teach and enjoy at a casual level.

Thanks…

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