Checkers — free online Board game
Jump, capture and crown kings — American, international and Brazilian rules.
Checkers (draughts) is free to play in your browser against the computer or a friend. Move your pieces diagonally on the dark squares, jump over enemy pieces to capture them — capturing is compulsory — and reach the far row to crown a king. Choose American checkers on an 8×8 board, international draughts on 10×10 with flying kings and the longest-capture rule, or Brazilian draughts, which plays international rules on 8×8. Three computer levels, two-player mode, undo and a win record for each rule set. No download, no sign-up.
Quick start
- Press Start. American 8×8 on normal is a good first game; you play the light pieces at the bottom and move first.
- Tap one of your pieces, then a green dot to move it. When several jumps are possible, tap each landing square in turn.
- If any capture is available you must take it — the pieces that can jump get a gold ring.
- Reach the far row to crown a king (♛), which also moves backwards.
How to play Checkers
- Pieces stand and move only on the dark squares. A man moves one square diagonally forward.
- Capture by jumping diagonally over an enemy piece onto the empty square right behind it; keep jumping while you can. Capturing is compulsory.
- A man that reaches the far row becomes a king. In American checkers a king moves and jumps one square in any diagonal direction.
- International (10×10) and Brazilian (8×8) rules: men may also capture backwards, kings fly any distance along a diagonal, and you must take the sequence that captures the most pieces. A man only becomes a king if its move ends on the far row.
- You win when your opponent has no pieces left or cannot move. Fifty king moves in a row without a capture is a draw.
Controls
- Move: tap a piece, then a green dot (one dot per jump in a multi-capture)
- Choose another piece: tap it, or press Esc to cancel
- Take back your last move: the Undo button or U
- New game: the New game button, a difficulty or a rule set
Strategy tips
- Keep your back row filled as long as you can: it stops enemy men from crowning.
- Pieces in the centre control more squares than pieces on the edge.
- Because captures are compulsory, you can offer one piece to force a jump that opens a double capture for you.
- In international rules, a flying king is worth about three men — trade down when you have one and your opponent does not.
Frequently asked questions
Which rules do the three options use?
American: 8×8, 12 pieces each, men capture forward only, kings move one square, any capture sequence may be chosen. International: 10×10, 20 pieces each, men capture backwards too, flying kings, longest capture compulsory. Brazilian: the international rules on an 8×8 board with 12 pieces each.
Do I have to capture?
Yes, in every rule set. With international and Brazilian rules you must also choose the sequence that captures the most pieces.
Is Checkers free?
Yes. It is completely free to play in your browser, with no download, no account and no in-game purchases.
Can two people play?
Yes. Choose 2 players: light moves first, then dark, on the same screen.
Can I play on my phone?
Yes. The board fills the screen and every square is tappable; on the 10×10 board a larger phone or landscape view helps.