Man movement
Without a capture, a man moves one empty square diagonally forward.
How to play Checkers Online
The rules below match the engine used in this version of the game.
Mandatory capture
A man can capture forward or backward by jumping over an opposing piece to the free square immediately beyond it.
Maximum capture rule
If more than one sequence is possible, choose one of the sequences that captures the greatest number of pieces.
Multiple captures
After a capture, if the same piece can continue capturing within the chosen legal sequence, the turn is not over. The piece continues until the full sequence is complete.
King promotion
When a man reaches the last row during a capture, it continues the sequence only if it can still capture as a man. If continuation would only be possible as a king, the move ends. Promotion occurs at the end of the move.
King movement
A king can travel across several empty diagonal squares. When capturing, it can jump an opposing piece on the diagonal and land on one of the allowed free squares beyond it, following the capture sequence.
End of game
Wins and draws.
Win by elimination
The game ends when a player captures all of the opponent’s pieces.
Win by blockade
If the player to move has no legal move, the opponent wins even if blocked pieces remain on the board.
Draw by insufficient material
The engine uses a conservative automatic rule and declares a draw when only one king remains on each side.
Draw by repetition
The game ends when the exact same board position occurs three times with the same player to move.
Draw by mutual agreement
In two-player mode, a player may offer a draw, and the game ends only if the opponent accepts.
Before moving, check whether a capture is mandatory. Many games are decided by the sequence opened after the first capture, not only by the first jump.