Checkers
Checkers
This is checkers exactly as you'd expect it to be, built for quick games against the computer or against someone sitting right next to you. Two players take turns moving pieces diagonally across the dark squares of an 8x8 board, jumping over an opponent's piece to capture it whenever the landing square behind is open. Land a piece on the far edge of the board and it gets crowned into a king, which can then move diagonally in either direction instead of just forward — a small change that shifts the whole balance of a game once a few kings are on the board. Play against an AI opponent when you want a solo match, or switch to hot-seat mode to play a friend or family member on the same device, trading turns back and forth the old-fashioned way. There's nothing to unlearn here: if you already know checkers, you'll be moving pieces within seconds.
How to play Checkers
- Pieces start on the dark squares closest to each player and move diagonally forward, one square at a time.
- Capture an opponent's piece by jumping diagonally over it into an empty square directly beyond — the jumped piece is removed from the board.
- If another jump is immediately available from your new position, take it as part of the same turn.
- When one of your pieces reaches the far row of the board, it's crowned as a king and can then move diagonally both forward and backward.
- The game ends when your opponent has no pieces left, or no legal move remains for them.
- Choose to play against the built-in AI opponent, or switch to hot-seat mode to take turns against another player on the same screen.
Tips and strategy
Hold the center of the board rather than rushing pieces up the sides — central pieces have more directions to move in and are harder for your opponent to trap. Be cautious about advancing a single piece too far ahead of its neighbors, since an isolated piece is an easy target for a jump. Look a move or two ahead before forcing a trade: sometimes accepting a capture sets up a double jump in your favor right afterward. Protecting your own back row for as long as possible keeps your opponent from crowning kings, so don't move those pieces unless you have to.
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Orientation
Built for a landscape screen. On a phone, turn the device sideways.
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Frequently asked questions
How does a piece become a king?
Once a piece reaches the far row of the board — the row furthest from where it started — it's promoted to a king and can then move diagonally in both directions.
Can I play against a friend on the same computer?
Yes, the hot-seat mode is built for exactly that — you and a friend take turns on the same device instead of playing separately.
Do I have to capture a piece if I can?
This depends on the ruleset in play; many checkers games treat a capture as mandatory whenever one is available, so watch the board carefully before deciding on a move.
What's the difference between checkers and draughts?
They're the same game — draughts is simply the name used in the UK and several other countries, while checkers is the more common name in North America.
Can a king jump backward?
Yes, that's the whole point of being crowned. A king can move and capture diagonally in either direction, forward or backward.