Checkers
Red moves first. Move a piece one square diagonally forward, or jump over an adjacent opposing piece into the empty square beyond to capture it — a capture is mandatory whenever one is available, and a piece that can keep jumping must keep jumping in the same turn. Reach the far row and your piece is crowned a king, free to move and capture diagonally in any direction. Play locally with a friend, or challenge the bot across three difficulty levels. Whoever traps or captures every one of their opponent’s pieces — or leaves them with no legal move — wins.
How to Play Checkers
Click or tap one of your pieces to select it, then click or tap a highlighted square to move or jump there.
- A capture is mandatory whenever one is available, and you must keep jumping with the same piece as long as it has another jump — plan ahead so you don't walk into a forced multi-capture.
- Kings move and capture in all four diagonal directions, so racing a piece to the far row can flip a stuck position into a strong one.
- Keep pieces supported by a neighbor rather than isolated on the edge — a lone piece one square from an enemy is a free jump waiting to happen.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Checkers free to play?
Yes — Checkers is completely free to play right here in your browser. No download, no install, and no sign-up required.
Can I play Checkers on my phone or tablet?
Yes. Checkers is fully playable on touchscreens as well as with a mouse and keyboard, so it works on phones, tablets, and desktop alike.
Can I play Checkers with a friend?
Yes — Checkers is a 2 players game played locally, taking turns on the same device.