Playboard
  • Lesson 6 of 8
  • The endgame
  • 3 min

How to Trap a King in Checkers

When the pieces come off, a game often ends with kings. Two kings can beat one, but only if you leave the lone king no safe square and make it move.

Step 1 of 4

  1. One way out

    A king in the single corner, h8, has only one square to go to: g7. Your king on f6 covers it. Watch White's turn: the king has to step out, and f6 jumps it.

  2. The waiting move

    The same trap, but now it's your turn. If your king on f6 moves, g7 is free. A second king solves it: it makes a waiting move, and White has to step out.

    Your move

    Make a waiting move, then take the king.

  3. Trap it on the edge

    A king on the side of the board has two ways out. White's king on a5 can step to b4 or b6, and your king on c3 already covers b4.

    Your move

    Cover the other way out, then take the king.

  4. Why one king isn't enough

    You have one king against one. White's king is in the corner, your king on f6 guards g7, and it's your move. What happens?

    Question

What you learned

  • A king in the single corner has one way out, and a king on a side edge has two.
  • Cover every square it can step to, then make sure it's White's turn to move.
  • With two kings you can do both: one guards while the other waits.

In this course

Unit 1The rules

  1. Checkers Rules: Move, Jump and Crown a King

Unit 2Tactics

  1. The Two-for-One Shot in Checkers
  2. Forced Captures in Checkers: Use Them as a Weapon
  3. Guard Your Back Row in Checkers: The Bridge
  4. How to Get a King in Checkers: Break Through

Unit 3The endgame

  1. How to Trap a King in Checkers
  2. The Double Corner in Checkers: Two Kings vs One
  3. Trade When You're Ahead in Checkers

Lessons for every game

Take it to the table.

Put what you just read into practice. No sign-up needed.

Play CheckersRead the Checkers rulebook