How to play Checkers
American checkers (English draughts) on an 8×8 board. Black moves first. Play the computer at five levels or a friend on the same device.
- Men move one square diagonally forward onto a free dark square. Kings (crowned on reaching the far row) move diagonally forward or backward.
- Captures are mandatory: jump over an adjacent enemy piece onto the empty square behind it. If another jump is possible from the landing square you must keep jumping (multi-jump). When several captures exist you may choose any of them.
- A man that reaches the king row is crowned and its move ends.
- You win when your opponent has no pieces or no legal move. The game is a draw after 40 moves by each side without a capture.
Controls
Tap a piece, then tap a highlighted square (for a multi-jump tap each landing square, or tap the final square), or simply drag the piece. Pieces that can move are outlined. Undo takes back your last move; games are saved automatically.
Tips
Keep your back row filled as long as possible to stop the opponent crowning, control the centre, and trade pieces when you are ahead.
About this checkers
Jump and capture all your opponent’s pieces. Play the computer or a friend. Play Checkers free in your browser on desktop, tablet or phone. It works offline once loaded — perfect for travel. Your progress and best scores are saved on your device. Popular searches: checkers vs computer, draughts.
Checkers FAQ
Is Checkers free to play?
Yes. Checkers is completely free on GamesVora. There is nothing to download or install and you don't need an account.
Can I play Checkers offline?
Yes. Once you have opened GamesVora while online, Checkers is saved on your device and you can keep playing without an internet connection.
Does Checkers work on mobile phones and tablets?
Yes. Checkers works in any modern browser on Android phones, iPhones, iPads, tablets, laptops and desktop computers, with touch, mouse and keyboard controls.
Is my progress saved?
Your settings, best scores and statistics are saved in your browser on this device. Clearing your browser data will reset them.
What other games are like Checkers?
If you enjoy Checkers, try the other games in our Board Games collection — they are all free and work offline too.
