Checkers - Rules for Checkers

How to Play Checkers Overview

Welcome to the realm of Checkers. Prepare to engage yourself with a quick overview of the rules, the history, some strategically-beneficial tips and variations to the game of Checkers and learn how to play Checkers. Many of us may have first pulled out the checkerboard when we were in grade school and some of us may still be pulling it out decades later. Hours of fun can be had by any age group, all it takes is a nimble mind and a little time.

Only two people may play checkers at a time, and each player takes one turn to make their move. To set up the checkerboard, simply arrange like colored pieces on either side of the board on the dark-colored (typically black) squares closest to the edge of the board. The round playing pieces are typically black and red (or white) and often have a crown on one side, which should be placed face down until the piece is “kinged.” (To be discussed later). Black always goes first. Players alternate colors each game for fairness.

As long as a piece has not been “kinged”, it can move by one square diagonally in a forward direction only. Players can only move into vacant, black squares. A player can capture the other player’s piece by jumping over it to the adjacent, unoccupied, black square beyond it. When a piece is “captured”, it is removed from the board. A player can jump over more than one of his opponent’s pieces, capturing each one as he goes. When a player completes a multiple jump move, he can jump in any direction. However, a player cannot jump over his own pieces, and he cannot jump the same piece twice. Also, if a jump is available to a player, the player must make the jump. And, if a multiple jump is available to a player, he must complete it and not stop after the first jump only, even if it his piece will be captured during his opponent’s next move. Finally, any piece can jump over a piece that has been “kinged”.

Making a King in Checkers

Now for the regal, “kinging”. When any piece makes it to the opponent’s last row, called “King Row”, that piece becomes a king. At that time, a second checker, presumably one of the captured pieces is placed on top of that checker by the opponent, or the piece is flipped over so the crown-side is facing upwards. A kinged piece can move diagonally in a forward OR in a backwards direction.

The game ends when a player can no longer make a move because either he has no pieces left or because the opponent has blocked every piece. At that point, the game is over and the winner can be declared.

So, now it is time for you to start one of the oldest and most enjoyable pastimes, Checkers. It has been played by notable persons in history including presidents such as George Washington, Abe Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt; inventors such as Ben Franklin, and Thomas Edison; and, interesting folks such as Edgar Allen Poe, Harry Houdini, and Will Rogers.

You can play for fun with family and friends. Or, you can jump into the game with both feet and join a tournament through the American Checker Federation. The choice is yours.