Play Checkers with a friend

ReadyYou
RedMoves first
BlueMoves second
RedMoves first
RedMoves first
Black
XMoves first
OMoves second
YellowMoves second
BlackMoves second
White
BlackMoves first
WhiteMoves second
WhiteOpening roll decides
BlackOpening roll decides
BlackMoves first2
WhiteMoves second2
RedMoves first
BlueMoves second
SouthMoves first
NorthMoves second

Enemy waters

Your fleet

A little nudge

Checkers (English draughts)

This is 8 by 8 English draughts, also known as American checkers. Share an invite link to play online with a friend, take turns on one device, or choose the computer at Beginner or Advanced level. Free, with no sign-up.

How do men and kings move?

Each side starts with 12 pieces on dark squares; Black moves first. Men move one square diagonally forward and capture forward by jumping an adjacent enemy into the empty square beyond. Kings move one square diagonally forward or backward and jump in either direction; they are not flying kings.

Do I have to capture?

Yes. If a capture is available, you must take it and complete all further jumps with that piece. You may choose any legal capture route; you do not have to take the most pieces. Select each landing square to build the route.

A man reaching the far edge becomes a king and that turn ends, even if the new king could capture again.

How does a game end?

Take all opposing pieces or leave your opponent with no legal move to win. The game automatically draws after three repetitions of the same position with the same side to move, or 40 moves by each side without a capture or a man move.

Can we play another round?

Choose “Play again” after a result. Online, both players must accept. The score carries over and sides switch by default; tap the next-side line to change them.

How to play

  1. Play 8 by 8 English draughts (American checkers) online with a friend, on one device, or against the computer at Beginner or Advanced level.
  2. Black moves first. Men move diagonally forward one square to an empty dark square; kings move one square diagonally forward or backward.
  3. Captures are mandatory. Men jump diagonally forward over an adjacent opponent into the empty square beyond; kings jump diagonally forward or backward. Complete all available jumps with the same piece. Choose any legal route; taking the most pieces is not required.
  4. If a man reaches the far edge, it becomes a king and that turn ends. A king moves and captures diagonally forward or backward.
  5. Take all opposing pieces or leave your opponent without a legal move to win.
  6. Three repetitions of the same position with the same side to move, or 40 moves by each side without a capture or man move, is a draw.
  7. After a game, choose “Play again” to start another round in the same room. Online, both players must accept. Sides switch by default and the score carries over.
  8. Undo and Resign sit below the board. Online Undo needs your friend’s approval. On one device it reverses one move; against the computer it reverses your move and the reply. Finished games cannot be undone. Resign asks once more before ending the game.
  9. Progress is saved in this browser. Return here to try to resume after a refresh or disconnect; online recovery needs both players to reconnect. Changing devices or clearing browser data can prevent recovery.

Returning to a game

Progress is saved in this browser. For an online game, use the room link in the same browser; both players need to reconnect. Changing browsers, clearing browser data or an expired room can prevent a return. There is no cloud backup of your game.