Reference

Piece movement and rules

Review movement, mandatory captures, multiple jumps, and crowning at any time.

Checkers reference

Diagonal movement and jumps

Open it only when you need to check something.

Move record and board coordinates

Standard human-readable notation

Move record and coordinates PDN dark-square numbering 21–17

Code for storage and integration PDN 21-17

Count 1–32 starting from the first dark square on the upper-left side.

Visual reference

Piece catalog

There are two ranks: ordinary men and kings promoted upon reaching the farthest row.

2 types

Checkers pieces

12 each

Man Moves diagonally forward and captures by jumping over an opposing piece.

King A promoted piece that can move diagonally forward or backward.

Man

One square diagonally forward An ordinary piece moves diagonally forward.

Jump

Jump over an opponent If the square beyond an adjacent opposing piece is empty, jump over and capture it.

Multiple jump

Continue capturing If another capture is available after a jump, continue jumping.

King

Move diagonally forward or backward A piece that reaches the far side becomes a king and can move backward too.

Move diagonally Capture when possible Make multiple captures when available Become a king on the far side Leave the opponent unable to move

Mandatory capture

When a capture is available, you must capture instead of making an ordinary move.
If another capture is available from the landing square, continue capturing in the same turn.

King

A piece that reaches the opponent's farthest row becomes a king.
A king can move diagonally both forward and backward.

Checkers

Learning

CMS managed tracks

Learning Rules

Diagonal Moves, Mandatory Jumps, and Kings

Learn how to use the 32 squares, capture when possible, and kinging.

2Modules 10Items

Checkers Basics Beginner / 5min

Move diagonally on the dark squares, capture by jumping over opposing pieces, and aim to take every opposing piece or leave the opponent unable to move.

Article Capture All Opposing Pieces or Leave Them Unable to Move
Pattern Move One Square Diagonally Forward
Move sequence Jump Over an Opposing Piece to Capture It
Move sequence Capture Whenever Possible
Move sequence Advance to the far side and become king
Move sequence Win by capturing all or by immobilizing the opponent

Practical tutorial Beginner / 7min

Review the selected rules and form a plan around the center, back rank, and tempo.

Article Read captures ahead and crown a king without breaking your formation
Article Lock in the variant differences in checkers
Article Use the center, the edge, and the back rank in different ways
Article Read the tempo and early traps

Checkers

Checkers Basics

Beginner

Practice the basic controls right here

Choose a step in the inline tutorial below to review the flow.

Movement and captures

Open it only when you need to check something.

Next step

Choose after the tutorial

Once you are comfortable moving pieces, review anything that was unclear or practice your decisions with a short problem.

Learn: Your first three minutes Briefly review the objective of Checkers and the first action to take. Web tutorial Learning: Rules quick reference Review how to move, capture, and win on one screen whenever you are uncertain. CMS guide Training: Short problems After reviewing the basics, reinforce your decision-making with short problems. Practice before a match Mastery: Maxims and competitive philosophy Read about strategy, whole-board vision, decisions, and competitive philosophy unique to Checkers in a practical guide. Reading