Internet Checkers

Checkers is an ancient game. Checkers, known as Draughts throughout much of its history, is so old, in fact, no one is quite certain of when it began. Over the generations, Checkers has maintained popularity, right up to the modern day.

There's no way our ancestors could have envisioned a world in which humans played Draughts against computers, but today, there are millions of websites on which you can play one-on-one against real people or computer opponents, and even in online Checkers tournaments. Internet Checkers is one of the most popular games on the Web.

Checkers History

Checkers history begins with the origin of the game. It is thought that checkers originated sometime between 3000 and 1500 BC, but it was not until a Frenchman thought to play it on a chess board, sometime around 1100 AD, that the game we know today got its start. This early version was called “Ferses.”

Soon, players discovered that the adding the rule by which you must jump an opponent's pieces to remove that piece added to the challenge. When this rule was adopted, the game came to be known as “Jeu Force.” This was the first version of the game we know today, though earlier versions remained popular.

The rules for Checkers were not set, and when the game was exported to Great Britain, America and elsewhere, many players wrote rules sets, resulting in even more derivations. It was in England that checkers came to be known as Draughts.

While rules books date back to the mid-1500s in Spain, the first world championship was not held until 1847. The Scotsman who won the title retained it for a whopping 12 years.

Checkers on the Computer

Internet Checkers Checkers was one of the first games to land on computer screens. In fact, Alan Turing created a rudimentary form of the game for computers, which demanded calculations be done on paper, before World War II. It wasn't until 1952 that the first truly computerized game of checkers was programmed, this time by Arthur L. Samuel.

Since then, computerized checkers has come a long way. These days, computers rely far less on strategy than database searches, and electronic Checkers opponents tend to be average players. Often, computer opponents have trouble with the endgame.

Online Checkers Games

Today, there are millions of websites hosting online checkers games. Some of them require registration, but often reward players with points that are traded for awards and cash prizes. While some of these sites offer several versions of the ancient game, most offer only the standard game of checkers we all learned as children.

However, the playing options are virtually limitless. Here are just some of your Internet Checkers options.

You can play against the computer
You and a friend can play against one another
The computer/website will locate an opponent for you
You can join a league and play in tournaments
You can play alone with a timer

Registration

While many sites require you to register before you can access online checkers games, not all do. Many offer benefits to registered users, which can include cash and prizes, access to more games, functions, and features. You also gain access to teams checkers options, leagues and tournament play, regular newsletters providing tips, strategy guides, and more.

Registration is in the 5 minute range, but pay attention to your options when creating and customizing your account. This lets you avoid spam, frequent e-mails, or other users accessing your private information. It's best to create a separate e-mail address just for gaming and use it as the contact for all your gaming sites.

Internet Checkers Today

Checkers is not only as popular today as it was in the past, with the advent of the Internet, players have more options than ever. The great thing about electronic Checkers is you never have to wait for a game anymore. Test your draughts skills against a friend, the computer, or someone you've never met, from the comforts of your own home.

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