Play & Learn Checkers Board Game Online
Checkers is a classic board game that requires strategic thinking. You can play it online against opponents from all around the world or bots.
On top of this, Checkers is very versatile and offers numerous variations, allowing you to implement both basic and advanced playing strategies. Players of all ages can play it and have fun!
Ancient Beginnings of Checkers
Checkers, also known as Draughts, has been around for 5,000 years. So, let’s see how the game evolved to its present form!
Checkers Origins in Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia
A game similar to Checkers first appeared in Ur, a city-state in ancient Mesopotamia, around 3,000 B.C. Other evidence about checkers is found in Egypt, showing that ancient Egyptians played this game even in 1,400 B.C.
It’s believed that Queen Hatasu first introduced it under the name Alquerque, which was played on sunbaked clay boards with pebbles.
A Favorite Game of Nobles and Royalty
The rules of modern checkers weren’t around until the 12th century AD, and even after that, they kept modifying. The origins of modern checkers are associated with the southern-France game that was played on a 5x5 board with backgammon pieces instead of the so-far-used pebbles.
The pieces were called Fers, from where the checkers game got its name — Ferses. It was played at various levels of society, including the aristocracy.
Checkers in Different Cultures
Throughout the years, the Checkers board game has adapted across cultures.
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European Adaptations: From Draughts to Modern Checkers
Checkers reached Europe when French people began playing it on a 5x5 board. In the 18th century, William Payne cemented the rules of Checkers’ 64-space checkerboard in his book. From here, the European draughts game is played between two players on an 8x8 checkerboard with 12 pieces on each side.
Basically, the pieces move diagonally forward, which is how you can capture your opponent’s pieces. In the Turkish version of draughts, you can move the pieces straight forward and sideways, while the layout stays the same.
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Checkers in Asia: Unique Rules and Variations
While Checkers is also popular in Asia, it’s pretty different from the modern American or European version. The Chinese Checkers game is played by up to six people on a hexagram-shaped board.
You can either play as an individual or in a team. Chinese Checkers is a modern variation of the Halma game. The goal is to end the race first with all of your pieces by hopping over adjacent pieces on the board.
There are a few variations of this game, such as:
- Super Chinese Checkers
- Capture
- Diamond Game
- Yin and Yang
- Order out of Chaos
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The Global Spread of Checkers in the 20th Century
While Checkers was already spread worldwide, its digital revolution contributed to an even faster global expansion. In 1952, Arthur L. Samuel decided to develop a checkers program so that everyone could play this game from home.
5 Basic and Essential Rules You Might to Know
Checkers have a few essential rules that you should know.
1. Setting Up the Checkers Board
The Checkers board has black and white squares and is played with pieces in different colors. There are dark-colored (red or black) and white-colored checkers. The player who goes first takes the dark pieces.
As you and your opponent are on two opposite ends of the board, place your checkers in the dark spaces. Each of you will take up three rows, each with four checkers.
2. Rules for Moving Pieces
Checker pieces can move diagonally and on dark squares. At the beginning of the game, you can move your pieces only forward, but once they’re crowned, you can move them up or down, again only diagonally.
You can make a move with only one checker. It’s also allowed to jump over the opponent’s checker to capture them or make a double jump for more captures but only if you can land on the empty square.
3. Capture Opponent’s Pieces
To capture the opponent’s pieces, you need to jump over them. This is possible only if your checker is placed diagonally adjacent to their piece and there’s an empty dark space for your checker to land on.
4. Kinging: What Happens When You Reach the Opponent's Side
When you reach the last row of the board, which is on the opponent’s side, you can flip your checker over or stack a piece you’ve captured on top. This is known as kinging or crowning. Afterward, you can move the crowned checker both up and down, but again, only diagonally.
5. Winning the Game: Conditions for Victory
Winning the game is possible for the player who captures all of the pieces of the opponent. In other words, you need to keep capturing pieces until only one color of pieces is present on the Checkers board.
However, another way to win is to block the pieces of the opponent so they’re left without moves.
Psychological Tactics
Psychology plays a crucial role in the Checkers game. You can gain an advantage by anticipating your opponent's moves, creating traps, manipulating the board, and more
Reading Your Opponent’s Moves
Reading your opponent’s moves may give you a considerable advantage in the Checkers game. Even though sometimes there’s no logic behind them, it may still help you understand your opponent’s intent in making a particular move.
So, every time the other player makes a move, try to understand why they did so and their playing style in general.
Staying Calm Under Pressure
Last but not least, it’s essential to stay calm under pressure and not show your opponent any sign of weakness. Think about your next move thoroughly, and when you’re sure, make it.
Managing the Board
Another trick that can help you win is gaining control over the board’s center. Basically, you can either move your pieces closer to the center, use the central pieces as a barrier to your opponent, or use your position to open opportunities.
Balancing Offense and Defense
Don’t forget about balancing offense and defense. This tactic will help you confuse your opponent by causing them a hard time figuring out your playing strategy. In the meantime, you’ll be able to proceed with your moves.
Creating Traps and Forcing Mistakes
One clever trick you can implement is to create traps by forcing mistakes. However, you need to be very skilled to do this properly. You can sacrifice a piece that will help you lure your opponent into a specific position or open space for your next moves. Also, you can sacrifice a checker so you can disturb the balance of your opponent’s position.
If done correctly, this technique might help you create weaknesses in your opponent’s gameplay or open up opportunities that you can turn in your favor.
Beginner Mistakes and Tips to Improve
Never misjudge an opponent’s moves. Always think that they may be using some confusing tactic. So, you need to stay cautious all the time and try to predict what they may do next.
Overcommitting pieces in the early game might not always be wise. So, try to avoid moving a piece from the back too early and plan all of your moves ahead.
Even if you focus on the center of the board, don’t forget to defend your back row. This will cause the opponent a hard time in crowning a piece.
Kinging plays a significant role, allowing the checker piece to move both forward and backward. Therefore, you shouldn’t neglect it.
As we already mentioned, make sure to balance offense and defense. This will help you maintain an advantage over your opponent by confusing them about your strategy.
Always think about your next move(s). Don’t just rush to capture your opponent’s pieces and open space for them to capture yours.
If you’re intrigued by Checkers, don’t waste more time. Test your skills and enjoy the excitement of online Checkers right away. Play Checkers online and compete with players worldwide to enhance your strategies!
