Looking to sharpen your Checkers’ skills? This classic board game is about more than just moving pieces - it’s a battle of strategy, foresight, and timing. With a history stretching back thousands of years, Checkers is believed to have been enjoyed by Egyptian pharaohs in forms similar to the game we know today. Read on for tips on how to play Checkers, including Checkers rules and strategies that will help you master this timeless classic.
What is Checkers?
Checkers is a two-player board game classic, with each side starting with 12 checkers, lined up on opposite sides of the boards. Traditionally, white checkers sit on the white squares from the outside row, and black takes ownership of the dark squares. The darker colour moves first, then players take it in turns to move their checkers across the board. The aim of the game is to trap the other player’s checker so that they cannot move.
Checkers rules
There are three key rules worth bearing in mind:
1. You can make diagonal moves only – Pieces move diagonally across the dark squares.
2. Move forward at first – At the beginning of the game, checkers can only move forward toward your opponent’s side.
3. Crowning kings is key to winning – Reach the back row on your opponent’s side, and your checker is crowned a king, giving it the power to move both forward and backward.
Checkers setup
In checkers, players alternately move pieces diagonally forward to unoccupied black squares, with black starting first. If an opponent's piece is blocking their checker and there is an empty square beyond, it must be jumped and seized. If the player is able to, they can make several jumps in a single turn. When a piece reaches the rear row on the opponent's side, it transforms into a king, with the ability to move and jump backwards. The game is won by capturing or blocking all of an opponent's pieces, preventing them from moving.
Checkers strategy tips for beginners
Learning these essential tips can give you a head start when playing your first Checker’s game, giving you the confidence to move your pieces with ease, and preventing you from making common mistakes.
Take control of the centre
The centre of the board is crucial in Checkers. By concentrating your pieces there, you gain more freedom to move, while limiting your opponent’s options - creating more opportunities to capture. Aim to move into the middle early, and hold your position for as long as possible. If you go first, try the attacking ‘X technique’, where your opening two moves form an ‘X’ in the centre. This will give you lots of flexibility and restrict the other player’s movements by forcing them to the side.
Create shape formations
Forming shapes with your pieces is a clever way to stay strong on the board and keep control of the game. Spreading your checkers too thinly makes them easy targets, giving your opponent the chance to capture them one by one. Instead, focus on building solid formations that provide defence as well flexibility. Two classic setups are the triangle, which creates a sturdy defensive wall, and the diamond, which strengthens that wall while opening up more movement and capture opportunities.
Keep your back row safe
Try not to move your back pieces too early on if you can. This will stop your opponent from easily crowning their checkers into Kings. A solid back row gives you a safety net so to speak, enabling you to protect your own King row, while breaking into your opponent’s. When a gap emerges in a king row, it creates a tense moment for both players - whether attacking or defending. Don’t be afraid to sacrifice a checker to clear a path towards your opponent’s king row - the payoff will usually be worth it.
Plan ahead
Checkers strategy is so important to the game. Always try to plan ahead and guess your player’s next move, so you can think tactically for all outcomes. This will stop you from losing pieces accidentally, as well as creating more opportunities to set-up traps, or make double or triple captures. Practising is key in this respect - the more you learn what works and what doesn’t work, the more chance you’ve got at turning simple moves into a winning Checkers strategy.
Used forced jumps to your advantage
In Checkers, if your opponent can jump one of your pieces, they have to. Skilled players can turn this rule to their advantage by positioning pieces in a way that lures the opponent into a trap. By forcing a jump, you can guide them into a vulnerable spot that sets you up for a stronger counterattack or even a chain of multiple captures. Mastering this tactic can quickly shift the balance of the game, as forced move after forced move can leave your opponent with nowhere else to go.
Twists on this board game classic
While classic sets stick to the traditional black-and-white design, Checkers is now available in a variety of themed editions. Themed sets don’t just change the look of the board and pieces - they add personality, and a sense of storytelling to each match.
Every move feels like part of a bigger adventure, whether you’re attacking famous characters, or stepping into your favourite universe. With asmodee, you can explore the wizarding world with Harry Potter Checkers, enter the Mushroom Kingdom with Super Mario vs Bowser Checkers or Princess Power Edition, or take on a spooky showdown with Nightmare Before Christmas: Jack vs Oogie Boogie Checkers. These twists reinvent the board game classic, turning it into an immersive experience for fans of all ages.
If you’re a big fan of Checkers, you’ll likely enjoy other classic board games. Check out our blog on classic board games for inspiration on what to play next.
