About Checkers: Play Checkers Online Free vs the Computer
Yes. In standard American checkers a jump must be taken whenever one is possible, and a piece that jumps must keep jumping while it can. If you have more than one jump you may choose which one, even a shorter one.
By the ToolFluency team · Updated October 2026
Checkers is the classic board game of diagonal moves and jumps, and here you play American checkers (English draughts) against the computer or against a friend on the same device. Each side has 12 pieces on the dark squares; black moves first. Jumps are compulsory, multi-jumps must be finished, and a piece that reaches the far row is crowned a king. The board shows every legal move, rings the pieces that have to jump, and keeps a numbered move list. The full printable checkers rules are here too.
How to play checkers
- Choose vs Computer and a level (Easy, Normal or Hard), or 2 Players to pass one device back and forth. Pick Black to move first or Red to move second.
- Tap one of your pieces. Dots show the squares it can move to. Tap a dot to move, or drag the piece there.
- Men move one square diagonally forward onto an empty dark square.
- If a piece can jump an enemy piece into the empty square beyond, you must jump. Pieces that can jump are ringed in gold. For a double or triple jump, tap each landing square in turn (or tap the last one if there is only one way there).
- Reach the far row to be crowned. A king moves and jumps diagonally forward or back, one square at a time. Crowning ends the move.
- Win by taking every enemy piece or leaving the other side with no move. The game is a draw after 40 moves each with no capture or man move, or when the same position comes round three times.
- Undo takes back your last move (and the computer's reply). Hint shows the move the Hard computer would play.
Examples
Strategy tips
- Keep your back row (the squares nearest you) filled for as long as you can: it stops the other side getting kings.
- Hold the centre squares; pieces on the edges have fewer moves.
- Move pieces in pairs so one always backs up the other and cannot be jumped.
- Because jumps are compulsory, you can offer one piece to force a jump that sets up a double jump for you.
- When you are ahead, trade pieces: the fewer pieces on the board, the bigger your lead.
- A lone king is safest in a double corner, the two dark squares in the corner on your right.
Example: a forced double jump
Red has a piece on 18 and black pieces stand on 15 and 8, with 11 and 4 empty. Red must jump: 18 over 15 to 11, and then, because the same piece can jump again, over 8 to 4 (written 18x11x4). Square 4 is on black's back row, so the red piece is crowned and the move ends there.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have to jump in checkers?
Yes. In standard American checkers a jump must be taken whenever one is possible, and a piece that jumps must keep jumping while it can. If you have more than one jump you may choose which one, even a shorter one. The game rings the pieces that can jump and will not let you make a plain move instead.
How do kings work?
A piece that reaches the far row is crowned and gets a gold crown. A king moves one square diagonally in any direction, forward or back, and can jump in any direction, changing direction during a multi-jump. Being crowned ends the move, even if the new king could jump again.
How do you win?
Take all of the other side's pieces, or leave them with no legal move on their turn. A blocked player loses even with pieces left.
When is the game a draw?
After 40 moves each with no capture and no uncrowned piece moved (usually kings chasing each other), or when the same position comes round a third time with the same player to move. The game warns you when the 40-move count gets close.
How strong is the computer?
Easy looks two moves ahead and often plays a weaker move, so beginners can win. Normal looks six moves ahead and plays solid checkers. Hard searches as deep as it can in about half a second and rarely gives anything away. Your record and win streak are kept separately for each level on this device.
Who moves first?
Black always moves first. Choose Black to go first or Red to let the computer open. Your colour is always at the bottom of the board.
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