How to Play Checkers

Checkers is played on the dark squares of an 8x8 board. Each player starts with 12 pieces.

Black occupies the dark squares in the top three rows (rows 1-3). Red occupies the dark squares in the bottom three rows (rows 6-8).

Red always moves first. Pieces can only move and capture on dark squares.

Regular pieces move diagonally forward one square onto an empty dark square.

Red moves toward the top of the board; Black moves toward the bottom. Pieces cannot move backward until they become kings.

In the position shown, it is Red's turn. The red piece on row 5 can slide diagonally forward to either of the two empty squares ahead of it.

To capture, a piece jumps diagonally over an adjacent opponent piece and lands on the empty square directly beyond it.

The captured piece is removed from the board. Regular pieces can capture both forward and backward.

Here Red can jump over the black piece diagonally, landing on the empty square on the other side.

If a piece lands from a capture and can immediately jump another opponent piece, it must continue jumping.

A multi-jump chain can capture several pieces in a single turn. The same piece performs all the jumps before the turn ends.

In this position, the red piece can jump the first black piece, then jump the second black piece in the same turn, capturing both.

If a capture is available, you must take it. You cannot choose a simple move when a jump is possible.

If multiple captures are available, you may choose which one to make, but you must capture with one of them.

Here Red has two pieces that can move, but only the piece that can jump is allowed to play because captures are mandatory.

When a piece reaches the opposite end of the board, it is promoted to a King.

Red pieces are promoted on row 1 (the top edge); Black pieces are promoted on row 8 (the bottom edge).

Kings can move and capture diagonally in any direction, both forward and backward. In English Draughts with flying kings, a king can slide multiple squares along a diagonal.

Promotion ends the turn immediately -- even if a further jump would be available.