How to Play Checkers — Beginner's Guide

Checkers is a beautifully simple game that gets seriously addictive: every move can set up a spectacular capture chain. This guide covers the rules so you can start playing right away.

The Board and Setup

The checkers board is 8×8, and pieces only occupy and move on the dark squares. Each side has 12 pieces, filling its first three rows on the dark squares. Black moves first — in our game, you play Black against the computer (Red).

How Men Move

A man (regular piece) moves one square diagonally forward per turn, onto an empty square. Men cannot move backward.

Capturing: It's Mandatory

In checkers, capturing is mandatory — you may not decline a capture. How it works:

• Jump diagonally over an adjacent enemy onto the empty square directly beyond it; the jumped piece is removed.
• If after landing you can make another jump, you must continue in the same turn — this is called a capture chain.
• Our house rule: men may only capture forward (no backward jumps).

Crowning

When a man reaches the last rank of the board, it is crowned a King:

• A King moves one square diagonally in any direction (forward or backward).
• Note: Kings are not flying — each move is exactly one square.
• If a man reaches the last rank in the middle of a capture chain, it is crowned and the turn ends immediately (no further jumps).

Winning

You win when:

• You capture every enemy piece, or
• Your opponent has no legal move left.

Beginner Tips

Fight for the center: central pieces have more capture and movement options than pieces on the edge.

Don't advance alone: keep your pieces supporting each other, so a captured piece can always be answered.

Force trades when ahead: if you lead in material, trade pieces to lock in your advantage.

Guard your back rank: don't leave home row empty, or the opponent will crown easily.

Where to Start Playing?

The fastest way is to play against the computer at a low level. Play checkers right here — with 12 computer levels, online rooms with friends, and daily puzzles for practice. Good luck pulling off your first capture chain!

Related guides

• How to play chess — a beginner's guide — the classic, from setup to checkmate.
• How to play Sudoku for beginners — the world's favorite number puzzle, explained step by step.
• Co Ganh — a beginner's guide — try a Vietnamese folk game on a 5×5 board.