The game of checkers dates back to the 12th century and is a lot of fun.If you want to win a checkers game, you have to move your pieces to your opponent's side.You can move faster if you jump your opponent's pieces and take them out of the board.The concept of checkers is simple and you can use strategies to improve your chances of winning.You will learn how to play it.
Step 1: Someone will have the first turn.
You have to decide who goes first before you set up the board.Depending on who won the last game, a coin toss, or any other method, you can do this.One person will take the black checkers and the other the white checkers.The player with the black checkers always goes first in checkers.
Step 2: Set up the board.
Place the board between you and your opponent.There are 8 rows of 8 alternating dark and light squares on the board.There are both light and dark squares.Place the board so that each player has a light colored square on his or her right side.
Step 3: Put the checkers on the board.
The 12 dark squares should be placed in the first three rows closest to the player.There should be 4 checkers in each of the three rows.checkers can only move in diagonal directions on dark squares.Since the board has 8 rows, 6 of them will be taken up by the players' checkers and the other two will remain open in the middle.
Step 4: If you are going to time each other.
Each player is given five minutes to make a move.If you want to keep the game moving along, you need to place a timer near the checkers board.
Step 5: The game should be started.
The player with the black checkers is the first to move.In the beginning of the game, checkers can only move one diagonal space forward.checkers must stay on the dark squares
Step 6: Capture your opponent's checkers with a jump.
If your checker is located in the diagonal space nearest to your opponent's checker, then you can jump and capture that checker.To capture a checker, just jump over it by moving two diagonal spaces in the direction of the checker.You can take the checker off the board once you capture it.The space on the other side of your opponent's checker needs to be empty so that you can move into it.If you can jump your opponent's checker, then you have to do it.If you have the chance to jump your opponent's checker in multiple parts of the board, you can choose which checkers you'd like to play.You can only move forward once if you capture a checker.You must keep going until you can't capture any more checkers if you land in a new position.
Step 7: When your checkers reach the end of your opponent's board, you'll win.
Place one of your own captured pieces on top of the checker to make it a king checker.You will be able to tell it apart from the other pieces because of its height.It is easier for king checkers to capture your opponent's checkers if the king moves forward and backward.Kings can only move one diagonal space at a time.When a king captures checkers, it can move forward and backward on the same turn.If a king was doing a capture move that required it to change directions, such as if two checkers were lined up on diagonal spaces that fall into the same horizontal line, this would apply.The king had to jump forwards and backwards to capture the checkers.Some checkers sets have a crown on the back of the checkers, so you can flip a piece over to designate it as the king.You can have as many crowned pieces as you want.
Step 8: Don't stop capturing and jumping.
Take your opponent's checkers until they are removed from the board.You have won the game when you have captured all of your opponent's checkers.When all of your opponent's pieces are blocked, it is a less common way to win.
Step 9: It's not a defense game to play an offense game.
A beginner may be tempted to keep his pieces at the edges of the board, but this is a mistake.Go out of your way to defend your own, rather than capturing your opponent's checkers.It is okay if you capture some of your opponent's pieces.Try to get your opponent's checkers whenever you can.
Step 10: Move your pieces together.
If you don't move the rest of your checkers, the stray checker will be vulnerable to capture.Keep your checkers together like a blockade.The center of the board is a good place for checkers to protect each other as they move forward.Don't move your checkers towards the center because it will be hard to move them.It will be harder for your opponent to capture your checkers if they move together.If your opponent captures your checker, you will have a piece waiting to capture his checker as well.
Step 11: You should keep a full back row for as long as possible.
If your opponent gets a piece to your back row, it will be difficult to capture.If you want to keep your opponent from crowning his pieces, keep a full back row.It will allow you to capture any opposing pieces that approach your back row.
Step 12: Know when to give up some of your possessions.
It's a good time to give up your checkers.If you're ahead in the game, even dead with your opponent, don't be afraid to sacrifice a piece in order to gain a significant advantage.The forward momentum should be kept going.Do what you can to prevent your king from being captured.A regular checker is less valuable than the king.It will be easier for your opponent to king a piece if you trade pieces.You can trade one for two.If it means you can capture two of your opponent's pieces, give up one.
Step 13: Don't forget to focus on the kings.
As well as keeping your opponent from crowning his pieces, you should focus on crowning as many of your pieces as possible.As you progress in the game, this should be a priority.Don't crown your pieces if you lose checkers on the way.Know when to crown your piece.
Step 14: Don't let your opponent get in your way.
He will be forced to play with pieces that are in the back row if you keep his active pieces blocked.If your opponent's pieces are not moving, then he will lose.You can work on capturing more of your opponent's pieces.
Step 15: You should keep practicing.
The more you play, the better you know how to win at checkers.If you want to become a checkers expert, you should play as much as you can.Try playing with someone who is better than you.This will make you pick up your game.
Step 16: You can watch an expert.
In person or on television, watch an expert checkers player.If you watch an expert maneuver his pieces around the board, you'll get a lot of pointers.Pay attention to what the expert does.You can read about checkers strategies online or in books.Reading about checkers experts' strategies may help you improve your game.