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Checkers
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— About the game
About Checkers
Checkers — also called Draughts in some parts of the world — is one of the oldest strategy board games still played today. Two players, twelve pieces each, a chequered board, and a single goal: capture every one of your opponent's pieces or block them so they cannot move. The rules fit in a paragraph. The strategy fits a whole lifetime.
What makes Checkers a great browser game is how cleanly it scales. Five minutes is enough for a complete game against a thinking AI. Twenty minutes is enough to start spotting the patterns: the diagonal trades, the double-jumps, the back-row hold-off, the king push. Every game leaves you slightly better at the next one. There is no luck and no time pressure — only the position in front of you and the choice you make about it.
This browser Checkers plays free, with no sign-up and no download. The board is fully responsive, so a phone screen and a desktop screen both work cleanly. The AI offers a fair challenge for casual players without being unbeatable. Your win record is stored locally so you can see your improvement over time. Open the page, choose your side and the game starts.
— How to play
How to play Checkers
- Tap your red piece, then a green highlighted square
- Jumps are forced when available
- Capture all blue pieces to win
— Controls
Checkers controls
Desktop (mouse & keyboard)
Use arrow keys, WASD, the mouse or spacebar where the game requires it. Specific controls match the "How to play" steps above — each step describes the exact input the game expects.
Mobile (touchscreen)
Tap, hold, swipe or drag — whichever your finger naturally does for the action described in the steps. Checkers is mobile-first and works in portrait or landscape on any modern phone or tablet.
— Strategy & tips
How to win
- Keep your back row intact for as long as possible. It blocks easy promotions for your opponent.
- Trade only when the trade leaves you with the better piece distribution.
- Always look for double and triple jumps. Single jumps are starters, not finishers.
- When you promote a piece to a king, get it into the centre. Kings on the edge are worth half as much.
- Force the trade in winning endgames. Equal trades shorten the path to a clean win.
— Game features
Why you'll love it
- Classic 8×8 checkers with full international rules
- Smart AI opponent with a fair difficulty curve
- Responsive board for phone and desktop
- Free in the browser, no download, no sign-up
— Frequently asked questions
Checkers FAQ
Is Checkers free to play?
Yes. Checkers is completely free to play on GameJadoo. There are no charges, no in-app purchases and no hidden costs.
Do I need to download Checkers?
No download is needed. Checkers is an HTML5 game that runs directly in your web browser — just open the page and play.
Can I play Checkers on mobile?
Yes. Checkers works on phones, tablets and computers. Open it in any modern browser to start playing.
Do I need an account to play Checkers?
No sign-up or account is required. You can start playing Checkers instantly.
— Strategy guides
Read our Checkers guides
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The best free 2-player games you can play online in your browser — Tic-Tac-Toe, Connect Four, Checkers, Air Hockey and more. Play with a friend on one device, no download.
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