Checkers

1 Overview

Checkers (draughts) is one of the oldest two-player strategy games in existence, played on an 8x8 board. Each player starts with 12 pieces on the dark squares. Pieces move diagonally forward, capture by jumping, and become powerful Kings when they reach the opposite back row.

2 What You Need

• 1 checkerboard (8x8, same as chess)
• 12 red pieces and 12 black pieces

3 Setup

1. Place the board so each player has a light square in their bottom-right corner.
2. Each player places their 12 pieces on the dark squares of the three rows closest to them.
3. Black (or the darker color) moves first.

4 How to Play

On your turn, move one piece diagonally forward to an adjacent empty dark square.

Capturing

If an opponent's piece is diagonally adjacent and the square beyond it is empty, you must jump over it and remove it from the board. If you can capture, you must - it's not optional. Multiple jumps in one turn are allowed and required if available.

Becoming a King

When your piece reaches the opponent's back row, it becomes a King. Stack a captured piece on top to mark it. Kings can move and capture diagonally in any direction - forward or backward.

5 Winning

Win by capturing all of your opponent's pieces, or by leaving them with no legal moves. The game is a draw if neither player can win after extended play.

6 Strategy Tips

• Control the center. Central pieces have more capture options and are harder to corner.
• Keep your back row intact. Leaving your back row pieces in place prevents the opponent from kinging easily.
• Force exchanges to your advantage. Trade pieces when you're ahead; avoid trades when behind.
• Think ahead about forced jumps. Sometimes you can set up a sequence where your opponent must jump into a losing position.