Introduction
Checkers (also known as Draughts) is a classic strategy game played on an 8x8 board. Two players move their pieces diagonally, jumping over opponents to capture them. Pieces that reach the opposite end of the board become Kings, gaining the ability to move backward. The player who captures all opposing pieces or blocks them from moving wins. Here's how to play smarter on PlayMore.gg.
Control the Center
Just like in chess, the center of the board is prime real estate in Checkers. Center pieces have more movement options and can threaten both sides of the board. Edge pieces are safer from capture but have fewer attacking possibilities. A good general strategy is to advance center pieces while keeping a strong back row.
Protect Your Back Row
Your back row serves as a defensive wall — your opponent can't get kinged while your back row is intact. Don't rush to move all your back-row pieces forward. Keep at least one or two pieces there as long as possible to slow down your opponent's king promotion.
Once you have a positional advantage, then it's safe to advance your back-row pieces.
Think About Forced Captures
In standard Checkers, captures are mandatory. This rule is the foundation of most Checkers tactics. If you can set up a position where your opponent must jump into a bad position, you gain a significant advantage. Before moving, always ask: "Will this move give my opponent a forced capture that benefits them?"
Better yet, create sequences where capturing leads to a double or triple jump for you.
Race to Get Kings
Kings are vastly more powerful than regular pieces because they can move in all four diagonal directions. Getting a king early can swing the game in your favor. Push a protected piece toward your opponent's back row, and use other pieces to block capture paths.
However, don't sacrifice multiple pieces just to promote one. A king isn't worth losing two or three regular pieces.
Use Piece Exchanges Wisely
When you're ahead in pieces, trading evenly (one of yours for one of theirs) benefits you. If you have 8 pieces and they have 5, trading down to 5 vs 2 leaves your opponent in a nearly impossible position.
When you're behind, avoid even trades and look for opportunities to capture without losing a piece in return.
Master the Double Jump
The double (or triple) jump is the most powerful tactical weapon in Checkers. Setting up a double jump requires careful planning — you need to position your pieces so that after the first capture, a second opponent's piece is in jumping range. Watch for L-shaped and zigzag patterns that enable multi-jump sequences.
Learn the Dog Hole Position
The "dog hole" is a classic Checkers trap where you sacrifice a piece to lure the opponent's piece into a corner where it can be captured. Learning a few basic tactical patterns like this gives you weapons your opponent might not see coming.
Time Management
PlayMore.gg Checkers uses time controls — 5 or 10 minutes per player. Simple positions don't need much thought, but when the board is complex with multiple possible captures, invest your time wisely. Identify critical moments where a mistake would cost you the game.
Endgame Strategy
In the endgame with just a few pieces on each side, kings become even more important. A single king can hold off two regular pieces in certain positions. Key endgame principles:
- Two kings vs. one king: The side with two kings can always win with correct play
- Use the edges: A king on the edge can be harder to capture but also has fewer escape routes
- Opposition: Like chess, controlling the opposition (forcing your opponent to move into a bad position) is crucial in king vs. king endgames
Conclusion
Checkers is a game of calculated aggression. Control the center, protect your back row, and look for forced captures that give you material advantage. The player who thinks one or two moves ahead will almost always come out on top.
Ready to play? Play Checkers on PlayMore.gg!