Checkers is one of the most played games in the world, loved for a simple reason: you can learn it in five minutes, yet it holds enough depth to reward a lifetime of play. Known as draughts across Britain, Australia and much of the Commonwealth, it is the same game under two names, played on the same board you already own if you have a chess set. This guide covers everything you need to start: the board, how the pieces move, how to capture, how to crown a king, and how to win, along with the one rule that catches most beginners out.
If you have a chessboard and a set of counters, you are ready to play. Let us start with the setup.
Checkers or draughts? The same game
Before the rules, a quick word on the name, since it causes endless confusion. Checkers and draughts are the same game. Checkers is the name used in North America, while draughts is the traditional name in Britain, Australia and most of the Commonwealth. The pieces, the board and the standard rules are identical. Throughout this guide we use checkers, but everything applies equally if you call it draughts.
There are regional variations in the finer rules, particularly around how kings move and whether capturing is compulsory, which we cover below. But the core game is universal, and once you know it you can play with anyone.
Setting up the board
Checkers is played on a standard eight by eight board, the very same board used for chess. Each player starts with twelve pieces, usually one set light and one set dark.
The game is played only on the dark squares. Each player places their twelve pieces on the dark squares of the three rows nearest to them, which fills those rows and leaves the two centre rows empty to begin. Sit the board so that each player has a light square in the nearest right-hand corner, exactly as in chess. Darker pieces traditionally move first.
How the pieces move
The movement in checkers is beautifully simple, which is a large part of its charm.
A regular piece moves one square diagonally forward, towards the opponent's side, and only ever onto a dark square that is empty. Pieces cannot move straight, sideways or backwards, and they cannot move onto a square that is already occupied. That is the entire movement rule for a normal piece. Because play is confined to the dark squares and to forward diagonals, the game flows quickly and is easy to follow.
Capturing your opponent
Capturing is where checkers comes alive. If one of your pieces sits diagonally next to an opponent's piece, and the square immediately beyond it is empty, you jump over their piece to that empty square and remove the captured piece from the board.
Multiple jumps. If, after landing, your piece is again positioned to jump another opponent's piece, you continue jumping in the same turn. A single move can capture two, three or more pieces in one sweeping sequence, which is where games swing dramatically.
Forced capture. This is the rule beginners most often miss. In most versions of checkers, if a capture is available to you, you must take it. You are not allowed to make a quiet move instead. If more than one capture is on offer, you may usually choose which to take, though some strict rules require you to take the sequence that captures the most pieces. Because forced capture can be used to lure an opponent into a losing exchange, it is central to good play, so agree with your opponent before you start whether you are using it.
Crowning a king
When one of your pieces reaches the far row on the opponent's side, known as the king row, it is crowned and becomes a king. This is usually marked by stacking a second captured piece on top of it, giving the familiar double-decker king.
A king is far more powerful than a regular piece because it can move and capture diagonally both forwards and backwards. This makes kings the key attacking weapon in the endgame, able to sweep in any diagonal direction. Getting the first king often decides the game, so much of your strategy revolves around promoting your own pieces while stopping your opponent from promoting theirs.
How to win
You win a game of checkers in one of two ways: by capturing all of your opponent's pieces, or by leaving them with no legal move, which usually means their remaining pieces are all blocked. Either way, the aim is to reduce your opponent's options until they cannot continue.
If neither player can force a win, the game is a draw, which happens more often than beginners expect at higher levels of play. Between two careful players, checkers frequently comes down to who can engineer a single decisive breakthrough.
Simple strategy to start winning
A handful of principles will make you a much tougher opponent straight away.
Control the centre. Pieces in the middle of the board have more options and influence than those stranded on the edges. Push towards the centre early rather than hugging the sides.
Advance in a connected group. Pieces that support one another are hard to capture, because taking one exposes the attacker to a recapture. Avoid pushing lone pieces too far forward where they can be picked off.
Think before you are forced. Because captures are usually compulsory, you can set traps: offer a piece that forces your opponent to jump into a position where you capture two of theirs in return. Always look at what your move allows your opponent to be forced into next.
Race for the king row. The first king is a major advantage. Work to promote a piece while keeping your back row intact for as long as sensible, since your own back row blocks your opponent from crowning theirs.
Choosing a checkers set
The beauty of checkers is that any good chess set doubles as a draughts set, since the board is identical and you need only the counters. A quality board with cleanly turned pieces makes the game far nicer to play, and a set with a storage drawer or box keeps the pieces together between games.
Our range of checkers and draughts sets covers dedicated sets and quality counters, and any of our boards will serve for both chess and checkers. If your household enjoys a variety of games, our traditional games range brings the classics together in one place. And if checkers has you curious about the other great game played on the same board, our guide on how to play backgammon is a good next read.
Whichever set you choose, every Sterling Chess order is backed by our 100 day free returns, so you can be sure it is right for you at home.
Frequently asked questions
How do you play checkers?
Each player has twelve pieces on the dark squares of an eight by eight board. Pieces move one square diagonally forward onto empty dark squares. You capture by jumping over an adjacent opponent's piece to the empty square beyond, and multiple jumps in one turn are allowed. Reach the far row to crown a king, which can move backwards too. You win by capturing all your opponent's pieces or blocking their every move.
Is checkers the same as draughts?
Yes. Checkers is the North American name and draughts is the traditional name in Britain, Australia and most of the Commonwealth. The board, pieces and standard rules are the same. There are minor regional variations in king movement and whether capturing is compulsory, but the core game is identical.
Do you have to capture in checkers?
In most versions, yes. If a capture is available you must take it rather than making another move. If several captures are possible you can usually choose which, though some strict rules require taking the sequence that captures the most pieces. It is worth agreeing which rule you are using before you start.
How does a king move in checkers?
A king moves and captures diagonally both forwards and backwards, unlike a regular piece which only moves forward. This makes the king much more powerful and is why promoting a piece to king is often the turning point of a game. A piece is crowned when it reaches the far row on the opponent's side.
What board do you play checkers on?
Checkers is played on a standard eight by eight board, the same board used for chess, with play confined to the dark squares. This means any chess set doubles as a checkers or draughts set, as you need only twenty-four counters and the board.
Ready to play
Checkers proves that a game does not need complicated rules to be endlessly rewarding. Set up your twelve pieces, move diagonally, take every capture you can, race for a king, and you are playing. The depth, the traps and the endgame finesse reveal themselves the more you play, which is why the game has endured for centuries.
When you are ready for a set of your own, browse our range of checkers and draughts sets, or use any board from our wider range. Every Sterling Chess order is backed by our 100 day free returns, so you can choose with complete confidence.
Written by Kurt Ebrado, Customer Experience and resident player at Sterling Chess. Kurt helps customers across the full range of games Sterling Chess stocks, and enjoys pointing out that the humble chessboard is really two games in one, since checkers is played on the very same board. He believes checkers is the perfect game to teach anyone, young or old, because the rules take minutes to learn and the first satisfying multiple jump hooks people for life.
