Learn · Global
English checkers
8x8 · dark squares, forced jumps, kings, wins, and draws.
Lessons in this path
- 1Board and dark squaresEnglish checkers is played on an 8 by 8 board, but pieces use only the dark diagonal squares.
- 2Men move diagonally forwardA man moves one square diagonally forward, always staying on the dark squares. The dark pieces move down the board; the light pieces move up.
- 3Captures are mandatoryIn English checkers, a capture is not optional. If you can jump, the board will make you jump.
- 4Multi-jumpIf a capture lands on a square where another capture is available, the same piece must keep jumping.
- 5Choosing among capturesEnglish checkers requires a capture, but when more than one capture is legal you may choose among them.
- 6Crowning a kingA man that reaches the far back row is crowned and becomes a king.
- 7Crowned mid-jump: the chain stopsIn English checkers, a capture that lands on the king row has a special ending. The man is crowned at once, and his turn ends — even if another jump…
- 8Kings move both waysEnglish checkers kings are short kings: one diagonal square at a time, but forward or backward.
- 9King captures backwardA king is not just a backward mover. If a jump is available backward, the king must take it.
- 10Winning and blocked positionsYou win English checkers by capturing all opposing pieces or by leaving the opponent with no legal move.
- 11Draw basicsSome checkers games do not produce a winner. Repetition and no-progress positions can become draws.
- 12Checkers match flow in BoardgammonIn an online Boardgammon checkers match, the board only allows legal moves. You also play with a clock, and you can resign, offer a draw, or review…