Classic checkers
American checkers — rules and training
American checkers favour short moves and tempo control. Kings do not fly, so structure, blocking play and safe promotion matter greatly.
- Board
- 8×8 · 32 playable squares
- Pieces
- 12 per player
- First move
- Black
Men and captures
A man moves one square diagonally forward. To capture, jump over an adjacent opposing piece onto the empty square immediately beyond it. Captures are mandatory.
Choice of capture
There is no maximum-capture rule: the player may choose any available complete capture sequence.
Short king
A king moves one square diagonally forward or backward. It captures by jumping over an adjacent opposing piece onto the empty square immediately beyond it.
Frequently asked questions
Who moves first in American checkers?
Black moves first.
Can a king fly several squares?
No. The king moves only to an adjacent diagonal square.
Can a regular checker jump backward?
In American checkers, an uncrowned man captures forward only. A king can capture forward or backward.
Must I complete a double or triple jump?
Yes. Continue jumping with the same piece while another capture is available. Reaching the king row with a man crowns it and ends that turn.
How do you win a game of checkers?
You win when your opponent has no pieces left or no legal move. Having no legal move is a loss, not an automatic draw.
American checkers · quick lesson
See how a double jump works
When a capture is available, you must take it. After landing, check whether the same piece can jump again.
Black to move. The man on square 9 can jump the white piece on 14 and land on the empty square 18.
American / English rules reference: World Checkers / Draughts Federation.