Playboard
Checkers
Checkers (also known as Draughts) is a two-player strategy board game played on an 8×8 grid. If you’re searching for checkers rules, how to play checkers, or legal moves, this guide explains the basics.
Checkers is popular online because it is quick to learn but rewards planning and tactical jumps.
How to Play Checkers (Draughts)
Checkers, also called Draughts, is a classic two-player strategy game played on an 8×8 board. This guide covers the starting setup, legal moves, captures, kings, and how a match ends.
Objective
Win by capturing all of your opponent’s pieces or by leaving them with no legal moves.
Board Setup (Start of the Game)
- Each player starts with 12 pieces
- Pieces begin on the dark squares only
- Black always moves first
Opening Position
How Pieces Move
- Regular pieces (men) move diagonally forward one square at a time
- Pieces stay on dark squares throughout the game
Captures Are Mandatory
A capture (also called a jump) happens when:
- An opponent piece is on a diagonally adjacent square
- The square immediately beyond it is empty
You must jump whenever a capture is available.
Example Jump
Multiple Jumps
If a capture creates another capture with the same piece, you must continue jumping until no more captures are available.
Kings
When a piece reaches the far row, it becomes a king.
- Kings can move diagonally forward or backward
- Kings can capture in both directions
Legal Moves Summary
A legal checkers move must:
- Start from your own piece
- Land on an empty dark square
- Capture if a capture is available
How the Game Ends
The game ends when:
- A player has no pieces left, or
- A player has no legal moves
The remaining player wins.
Beginner Strategy Tips
- Control the center early
- Keep pieces on the back row to delay opponent kings
- Look for forced jumps and avoid giving your opponent multiple captures