Checkers rules for beginners

The basics

Pieces stand and move only on the dark squares. An ordinary piece, called a man, moves one square diagonally forward onto an empty square.

To capture, jump diagonally over an opposing piece onto the empty square right behind it; the captured piece is removed. If the jumping piece can capture again, it must continue in the same move.

Capturing is compulsory: if you can capture, you must.

Kings

A man that reaches the far row is crowned and becomes a king. A king can move and capture backwards as well as forwards.

Winning and draws

You win when your opponent has no pieces left or cannot make a move. A game is drawn when the same position occurs three times, after a set number of moves without progress (see each rule set), or by agreement.

English checkers (draughts)

8 × 8 board, 12 pieces each. Dark moves first. Men capture forwards only, and kings move one square at a time. You may choose which capture to make, but must finish it. A man that is crowned during a capture ends its move there. Draw after 40 moves by each player without a capture or a man move.

Russian checkers

8 × 8 board, 12 pieces each. White moves first. Men may also capture backwards. Kings fly: they move and capture along a whole diagonal. You may choose which capture to make. A man crowned during a capture goes on capturing as a king. Draw after 15 moves by each player with kings only and no capture.

Brazilian checkers

The International rules on an 8 × 8 board with 12 pieces each. White moves first, men may capture backwards, kings fly, and you must take the capture that removes the most pieces. Draw after 25 moves by each player with kings only and no capture.

International draughts

10 × 10 board, 20 pieces each. White moves first. Men may capture backwards, kings fly, and you must take the capture that removes the most pieces. A man that passes the far row during a capture is crowned only if it ends its move there. Draw after 25 moves by each player with kings only and no capture.