Checkers Rules

One of the most dignified and classic board games of all time, checkers has withstood the test of time. Checkers is a game in which people, both young and old, can enjoy and enjoy competition. Although Checkers may have a reputation as a simple game, or Chess Lite, actual game play for advanced players is more complex than people tend to assume.

On the other hand, learning Checkers rules is simple. Understanding the basic principles lets you start playing checkers almost immediately.

The Checkerboard

The checker board is made up of eight squares by eights squares and consists of sixty four total squares making up one large square board. The squares are red and black by tradition, but checker board color variation is okay so long as the colors off set one another.

Checkers is a head to head two person game, and the competitors face one another on each side of the board. Each person is given twelve wood or plastic pieces, typically flat and cylindrical discs. Each side's twelve pieces are the same color: typical colors are red, black or white.

In the case of wood pieces, each side may simply have dark wood or light wood.

Official Rules for Playing Checkers - The Basics

According to official rules for playing checkers, each player arranges his pieces on the first three rows of dark spaces on the board, leaving two empty rows in the middle between sides. The row closest to each player is called the "kings row." Once the pieces are set, the player with the darker pieces goes first.

There are two basic movements a player can make. The basic move is moving a piece diagonally on the board to a vacant adjacent square. Notice the pieces only stay on the dark squares of the board. For the duration of the game, the pieces remain on the dark squares.

Pieces may only move forward, never backward, unless a piece has been kinged (see below).

Jumping Checkers

The other move a piece may make is the jump. To execute a jump, a player moves a piece from its beginning square over an opponent's piece in an adjacent square, to the next adjacent vacant square. This jump must occur in a straight line and the first player's piece may only jump one of the opponent's pieces.

Once again, a piece that is not kinged or crowned may only move forward.

Checkers Rules Multiple jumping is allowed in checkers. The jumping rules remain the same. Once the first player's jump has landed it may shift ninety degrees and jump another opponent's piece, just as long as each jump remains a straight line.

When a player's piece makes it to the opponent's kings row, that piece is kinged. Take a checker from the pile of checkers removed from the board and stack it on the piece that's been kinged, to indicate it has the ability to move backward or forward on the checkerboard. This is a huge advantage in Checkers, because you can flank your opponent.

If the checkers set you're playing with has piece equipped with a stamped "crowned side", simply turn the game piece over from the uncrowned to the crowned side, to denote your piece has been crowned. Once this happens, that piece is kinged for the remainder of the game, or until removed by an opponent in the conventional way.

The way a game of checkers ends is simple. The side that captures all of the other side's pieces is the winner. However, if the opposing team can not make any more legal moves, then that side must surrender in a forfeit.

Checkers Strategy

Contrary to popular opinion, there are any number of different strategies in the game of checkers. Here are a few you may want to try.

Sacrifice. Sometimes you need to give a little to get a little. If sacrificing one of your pieces allows you to take two of your opponent's pieces, then by all means make one of your pieces a martyr.

Block. Sometimes the best offense is a good defense. Keep a strong hold on your kings row. If your opponent can't get to your kings row, then your opponent won't be able to turn forward advancing pieces into kinged pieces.
Think Ahead. Try to anticipate your opponent's moves, and block or set up jumps with your own pieces. The more ahead you can predict, the better your chances of defeating your opponent.
Read the Board. Just because there is an obvious jump you may want to execute, look at all of your options. You might be missing that double-jump, or your opponent may be luring you into a trap.

As with most games, knowing the checkers rules makes your experience of playing one of the greatest board games of all time that much more enjoyable. Know your rules options and exploit the holes in your opponent's strategy.

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