Classic Checkers — also known as draughts. Play against the computer on a standard or Hard setting, hand one device back and forth in local pass-and-play, or take a match online against another person. Capture all of your opponent's pieces, or leave them with no legal move, to win. It runs instantly in your browser with no download or sign-up.
Overview
Checkers is a two-player abstract strategy game played on the dark squares of an 8×8 board. Each side starts with 12 pieces and races to capture or immobilise the other. A single game usually lasts five to fifteen minutes, which makes it a natural quick session on a phone or desktop. This version offers a standard AI, a tougher "Hard" AI that searches deeper and punishes loose moves, local pass-and-play for two people on one device, and online multiplayer against another player.
Setup and how to play
Play happens only on the dark squares. Each player's 12 pieces fill the three rows closest to them, leaving the two centre rows empty at the start. Ordinary pieces — "men" — move one square diagonally forward onto an empty dark square. Turns alternate, and your aim is to capture all of the opposing pieces or leave your opponent with no legal move.
Captures and multiple jumps
You capture by jumping diagonally over an opponent's piece into the empty square directly beyond it; the jumped piece is removed. Captures are compulsory in this version — if a capture is available, you must take it. If another jump is available with the same piece after it lands, the move must continue in the same turn, so double and triple jumps are common and often decide the game.
Kings and winning
A piece that reaches the far row is crowned a king, marked with a gold K. A king may move and capture diagonally in both directions — forward and backward — which makes it much stronger in the endgame. You win by capturing all of your opponent's pieces, or by leaving them with no legal move on their turn.
Strategy and tips
Because captures are forced, you can bait the opponent: offer a piece so the mandatory jump pulls them out of position, then win the material back with interest. Control the centre early, since central pieces have more mobility and support. Keep your back row intact as long as you can to delay enemy kings, and trade pieces when you are ahead in material. Always scan for double and triple jumps before moving — a forced capture chain can swing the game in a single turn. Against the Hard AI, play patiently and read a full exchange ahead rather than grabbing the first capture you see.
Controls
Tap or click a piece to select it, then tap the highlighted square to move. On touch screens the game is built for landscape, so rotate your phone if prompted. Use the in-game menu to pick a mode — Vs AI, Vs AI (Hard), Local Pass & Play, or online multiplayer — switch piece themes, or restart a match.
Frequently asked questions
Is Checkers free to play? Yes — it runs free in your browser with no sign-up. Can I play against a friend? Yes, either local pass-and-play on one device or online multiplayer against another person. Are captures forced? Yes — if a capture is available you must take it, and multi-jumps must continue in the same turn. Do I need to install anything? No, though a native Android and iOS version is available if you prefer an app.
