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Checkers

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Category
Board
Type
HTML5 browser game
Cost
Free · no sign-up
Devices
Mobile · Desktop
— 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)

Checkers uses mouse and keyboard as described in the steps on desktop. The exact inputs for each action are listed in the "How to play" steps above.

Mobile (touchscreen)

On phone or tablet, Checkers responds to tap — no on-screen joystick needed. Works in most modern browsers on any recent phone.

— Compatibility

Devices & browsers

Runs on

Any modern browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge) on Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome OS, iOS or Android. No plugin or install is required.

Offline & PWA

Once loaded, gameplay does not require a constant internet connection. GameJadoo can also be installed as a Progressive Web App from your browser's menu for home-screen access.

— 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

How do you play Checkers?

Checkers is a board game. To get started: Tap your red piece, then a green highlighted square The complete step-by-step controls are listed under "How to play" above.

Is Checkers free to play?

Yes. Checkers is free to play on GameJadoo — no charges, no in-app purchases, no sign-up.

Do I need to download Checkers?

No. Checkers is an HTML5 browser game — it runs directly in your web browser without any download or plugin.

Can I play Checkers on a phone or Chromebook?

Yes. Checkers runs in any modern browser on phone, tablet, laptop or Chromebook.

— Strategy guides

Read our Checkers guides

All guides →
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