Checkers Online: Play Against the Computer or a Friend
Play classic checkers online for free, also known as draughts. You play the red pieces against the computer at three levels, or hand the device to a friend for a two-player game. The game follows the standard 8 by 8 rules: captures are required, jumps can chain together, and pieces that reach the far side become kings.
Quick answer: Click one of your red pieces (pieces that can move are outlined in yellow), then click a green square to move it. Pieces move diagonally forward. If you can jump an opponent’s piece you must, and if you can keep jumping, click each landing square in turn. Reach the far row to get a king that moves both ways. Take or block all your opponent’s pieces to win.
How to play checkers online
- Each player starts with 12 pieces on the dark squares. Red moves first.
- A normal piece moves one square diagonally forward to an empty dark square.
- To capture, jump diagonally over an opponent’s piece to the empty square beyond it. The captured piece is removed.
- Captures are required. If another jump is possible after landing, you must keep jumping.
- A piece that reaches the opponent’s back row becomes a king (♛) and can move and jump backward too.
- You win when your opponent has no pieces left or cannot make a move.
Checkers strategy tips
- Control the center. Pieces in the middle have more options and are harder to trap.
- Keep your back row. Leaving pieces on your home row stops the other side from crowning kings.
- Move in groups. Pieces that support each other cannot be jumped easily.
- Use forced captures. Because jumps are required, you can offer one piece to set up a double jump of your own.
- Trade when ahead. When you have more pieces, even swaps bring you closer to a win.
Computer levels
| Level | How it plays |
|---|---|
| Easy | Picks a random legal move, good for beginners and kids |
| Medium | Looks three moves ahead |
| Hard | Looks five moves ahead and values kings and the center |
Checkers is one of the oldest board games; a similar game was played in France in the 1100s, and the rules used here are the long-standing English draughts rules. For more two-player games, try tic tac toe, dots and boxes or rock paper scissors.
FAQ
Are captures required in this checkers game?
Yes. Under standard rules you must jump when you can. Pieces that can capture are outlined, so you always know your options.
Can I play checkers with a friend on one device?
Yes. Choose “Friend (2 players)” and take turns. Red moves first, then black.
More free games and tools
See all of them on the QuickOnlineTips free online tools page and the free online games page.