How to Play Checkers (Draughts): Rules, Kings and Tips for Beginners
Checkers, or draughts as it's called in Britain and much of Africa, is one of the oldest and simplest strategy games in the world. You can learn the rules in five minutes, but it takes years to master. That's exactly what makes it such a good game for families, friends and anyone who wants a quick battle of wits.
This beginner's guide explains how to play checkers step by step: the board, how pieces move, captures, kings, how to win and the most common rule arguments. When you're ready, you can play checkers free online against a friend or the computer.
Checkers vs draughts: same game?
Yes. In the United States the game is called checkers. In the UK, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and many other countries it's called draughts. The classic version described here is played on an 8×8 board. There's also International draughts, played on a bigger 10×10 board with slightly different rules.
What you need
- A board with 64 squares in 8 rows of 8, alternating light and dark
- 24 pieces: 12 of one colour and 12 of the other
- Two players
How to set up the board
- Place the board so each player has a dark square in their bottom-left corner.
- Each player puts their 12 pieces on the dark squares of the three rows closest to them.
- The two middle rows stay empty.
All play happens on the dark squares. Pieces never land on light squares.
How pieces move
- Players take turns, moving one piece per turn.
- A normal piece (called a man) moves one square diagonally forward onto an empty dark square.
- Men can't move backwards.
How to capture
If an opponent's piece is diagonally next to yours and the square directly behind it is empty, you can jump over it and remove it from the board.
- Captures are compulsory. If you can capture, you must. This is the rule that creates most of the strategy in the game.
- Multiple jumps: if, after jumping, your piece can jump again, it keeps going in the same turn. Double and triple jumps can win games in a single move.
- Men capture diagonally forward in the classic game.
Kings
When one of your men reaches the far side of the board (your opponent's back row), it is crowned a king. In a real game you put a second piece on top of it.
Kings can move and capture diagonally forwards and backwards, which makes them far more powerful than normal men. Getting the first king is often the turning point of a game.
How to win at checkers
You win when your opponent can't make a move on their turn. That happens when:
- you've captured all their pieces, or
- their remaining pieces are completely blocked.
If neither player can force a win, the game can be agreed as a draw.
Common checkers rule arguments, settled
Do you have to capture?
Yes, in the standard rules. If a capture is available, you must take it.
Can a normal piece capture backwards?
Not in classic checkers. Only kings move and capture backwards. (In International draughts, men can capture backwards.)
Can a king fly across the board?
Not in the classic 8×8 game, where a king moves one square at a time. "Flying kings" are a feature of International draughts and some local variations.
Who moves first?
Traditionally, the player with the darker pieces moves first, but many families just agree before the game.
5 quick tips for beginners
- Control the centre. Pieces in the middle have more options and block your opponent.
- Keep your back row guarded for as long as possible, to stop your opponent getting kings.
- Move pieces in pairs. A lone piece is easy to capture.
- Use forced captures. Offer one piece to pull your opponent into a double jump for you.
- Race for a king when the board opens up. One king can beat several men in the endgame.
Want more? Read our full guide to draughts strategy for beginners.
Play checkers online free
Our Draughts Arena lets you play the classic 8×8 game in your browser:
- Challenge a friend online with a room code, wherever they are
- Play the computer, which actually fights back
- Pass the phone to play someone sitting next to you
- Compulsory captures are highlighted, so it's great for learning
- Wins earn Hype Points for the global leaderboard and your Company Cup team
Prefer dice? Try online Ludo, or read how to win at Ludo.
Checkers FAQ
How many pieces does each player have in checkers?
12 pieces each, placed on the dark squares of the three rows closest to each player.
Is checkers the same as draughts?
Yes. Checkers is the American name, and draughts is the name used in Britain, Africa and many other countries.
Do you have to jump in checkers?
Yes. In standard rules, if you can capture, you must.
How does a piece become a king?
By reaching the far side of the board. A king can then move and capture both forwards and backwards.