About

Checkers (Draughts) is one of the oldest and most widely played board games. Two players move disc-shaped pieces diagonally across a 64-square board, capturing by jumping over opponent pieces. Pieces that reach the opposite end become Kings, able to move backward. The goal is to capture all opponent pieces or leave them with no legal moves.

Checkers is simpler than chess but not trivial — optimal play requires understanding of piece trades, tempo, and endgame technique. The game was solved by computer in 2007 (a perfect game from both sides always ends in a draw), but practical human play remains engaging.

Games last 10–20 minutes. Checkers is satisfying for a break because moves are clear and deliberate without the complexity of chess's piece variety.

How to Play

• Pieces move diagonally forward one square to empty spaces.
• Capture by jumping over an opponent's piece to an empty square beyond it — multi-jumps are mandatory if available.
• If a jump is available, you must take it.
• Pieces reaching the opposite back row are crowned Kings and can move backward.
• Win by capturing all opponent pieces or leaving them unable to move.

Tips

• Control the center — pieces there have more mobility and capture options.
• Trade pieces when you have the initiative; it simplifies the position in your favor.
• Keep your back row filled as long as possible to prevent opponent piece promotion.

History

Checkers has been played for at least 5,000 years, with game boards found in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt. The modern form evolved in 12th-century France (Fierges), and by the 18th century was widely played in Europe and America. In 2007, Jonathan Schaeffer's team at the University of Alberta completed a 18-year computation proving checkers is a draw with perfect play — making it the most complex game ever solved.