Everything you need to know — from basic controls to advanced winning strategies. Master the board in minutes.
Checkers Master uses simple, intuitive controls that work on every device.
Click on one of your pieces to select it, then click on the target square to move. Alternatively, click and drag the piece directly to the destination square. Valid moves are highlighted on the board.
Tap a piece to select it, then tap the destination square. You can also drag and drop pieces with your finger. The game adapts perfectly to touchscreens of all sizes.
The core rules of checkers that every player needs to know.
The game is played on an 8×8 board with alternating light and dark squares. Each player starts with 12 pieces placed on the dark squares of the three rows closest to them. Only the dark squares are used during play.
Regular pieces move diagonally forward one square at a time. They can only move to unoccupied dark squares. You always move toward the opponent's side of the board.
To capture an opponent's piece, jump over it diagonally to the empty square beyond. The captured piece is removed from the board. If another jump is available after landing, you must continue jumping — this is called a "multi-jump" or "chain capture."
If a capture is available, you must take it. Checkers Master enforces this rule automatically — if you have a jump available, the game will only allow you to make that move.
When a regular piece reaches the farthest row from its starting position (the opponent's back row), it is "crowned" and becomes a king. Kings are more powerful — they can move and capture both forward and backward diagonally.
You win by capturing all of your opponent's pieces or by blocking all of their pieces so they cannot make a legal move. The game can also end in a draw if neither player can win.
Smart strategies to start winning right away.
Pieces in the center of the board have more movement options and control more squares. Try to occupy and defend the central diagonal squares rather than staying on the edges.
Don't rush all your pieces forward. Keeping pieces on your back row prevents the opponent from getting easy kings. A strong defense often leads to a strong offense.
Set up positions where your opponent is forced to jump into a trap. Sacrificing one piece to capture two or three is a powerful strategy that shifts the balance in your favor.
Techniques used by experienced checkers players to dominate the board.
When you have more pieces than your opponent, trade evenly — swap one for one whenever possible. With each trade, your material advantage becomes more significant. A 6-to-5 lead is good, but 3-to-2 is much harder for your opponent to overcome.
Keep two pieces on your double-corner squares (back row corners). This "bridge" creates a fortress that is extremely difficult for your opponent to breach, even with kings. It's one of the most important positional concepts in checkers.
If you can get a king while your opponent has none, use it aggressively to start picking off enemy pieces from behind. A single king against several regular pieces can often turn the entire game around.
Keep your pieces in connected groups rather than spreading them across the board. Coordinated pieces can protect each other and create powerful multi-jump opportunities that isolated pieces cannot.
Sometimes the best move isn't the most aggressive one. By making small, positional moves, you can force your opponent into unfavorable positions where they must make bad trades or leave pieces vulnerable to capture.
In the endgame (few pieces remaining), kings become crucial. Learn to use the "dog-hole" position to trap opponent pieces against the edge. Practice king vs. king endgames to develop precise calculation skills.