Play Checkers Online Free with Friends

How to play Checkers

1. Pieces move diagonally forward one square onto empty dark squares.
2. Capture by jumping over an adjacent enemy piece into the empty square beyond.
3. Captures are MANDATORY — if any jump exists, you must take one (you choose which).
4. Multi-jumps: if your piece can jump again after landing, it must keep jumping.
5. Reach the far row to crown a King 👑 — kings move and capture both forward and backward. Promotion ends that move.
6. You lose when you have no legal move — no pieces left, or completely blocked.

Checkers strategy

The basics that turn knowing the rules into winning games — what to do first, what to keep, what to avoid.

• Keep your back row at home as long as you can — it stops the opponent crowning kings.
• Trade when ahead, avoid trades when behind. Jumps are mandatory, so you can FORCE a trade by offering a piece that leads into your double jump.
• Move toward the centre and keep pieces together; a lone piece on the edge cannot be jumped but cannot do anything either.
• A king is worth about two men: get one early, and keep it behind the enemy lines where it can run.
• Count moves at the end: the side that runs out of safe moves first loses, so hold your spare tempo moves back.

Checkers FAQ

Are captures compulsory?

Yes. If a jump is available you must take one, though you choose which — and if the same piece can jump again after landing, it must keep going.

How do kings work?

Reach the far row and your piece is crowned. Kings move and capture both forwards and backwards. Being promoted ends that move.

How do you lose?

When you have no legal move — either no pieces left, or every piece completely blocked.

Do I need an account?

No. Type a name and play — no signup, no download, nothing to install. Making an account is optional and only exists to keep your stats, nickname and preferences across devices.

Is it really free?

Yes, all of it. Every game on Board Game Universe is free to play, with no premium tier holding anything back.

Can I play on my phone?

Yes. It runs in a mobile browser on phones and tablets as well as on a desktop — there is no app to download.

How do I play with my friends?

Start a table and send your friends the link. They open it, type a name, and sit down. Moves and table chat happen in real time.

Can I play against the computer?

Yes. Add a bot to any table and it plays a proper game — useful for filling a seat while you wait for a fourth.