Checkers Online

Checkers (also known as Draughts) is widely recognized and enjoyed by many. It's also one of the world's oldest and most popular board games. While several variants exist worldwide, papergames.io features the American Checkers (English Draughts) version, played on an 8x8 board. This game demands sharp anticipation and clever tactics to outsmart your opponents!

Checkers variants around the world

Different regions have developed their versions of checkers, each with unique rules and board sizes:

• American/English Checkers - Played on an 8x8 board with 12 pieces per player; this is the most popular version in English-speaking countries
• International Draughts - Played on a 10x10 board with 20 pieces per player, offering more complex gameplay
• Russian Draughts - Similar to International but with different capturing rules and strategic elements
• Turkish Draughts - Played on an 8x8 board with unique starting positions and movement patterns
• Brazilian/Canadian Checkers - Played on a 12x12 board with 30 pieces per player, providing extended gameplay possibilities

American Checkers Rules

The game is played on an 8x8 board with alternating dark and light squares. Here are the comprehensive rules:

• At the beginning of the game, each player will have 12 game pieces positioned on the dark squares of the three rows that are nearest to them.
• The pieces advance diagonally, one square at a time.
• Captures are mandatory and made by jumping over an opponent's piece
• Multiple jumps are required if possible in a single turn
• When a piece crosses to the opposite end of the board, it is promoted to a "king," granting it the ability to move more freely.
• Kings can move and capture in both directions
• The game concludes when one player successfully captures all of their opponent's pieces or when no legal moves remain
• Draw can be declared if there are no pieces captured and no player gets a king crowned after 40 moves have been made.

Three-fold Repetition Rule

In competitive play, the three-fold repetition rule allows either player to claim a draw if the same position occurs three times with the same player to move. This important rule helps to stop games from dragging on forever and makes sure they finish in a reasonable amount of time.

History of Checkers

The game of checkers has a rich history that dates back to around 3000 BCE in ancient Egypt. Archaeologists have uncovered a game known as "Alquerque" in the city of Ur, which is thought to be one of the earliest forerunners of modern checkers. The game was transformed throughout history and the board was changed into a chess board to resemble the version that we play today.

The inaugural World Championship took place in 1847, marking the beginning of checkers as a competitive sport with international tournaments and professional players dedicated to mastering intricate strategies. Its simplicity and tactical complexity make it a game that became popular accross the globe.

Playing Online at papergames.io

Experience American Checkers online through various gameplay options:

• Create private games to play against friends
• Participate in multiplayer tournaments with players worldwide
• Join daily challenges and competitions
• Practice and improve your skills against global players
• Track your progress and ranking in the global leaderboard

Advanced Strategy and Tactics

• Control the center squares to dominate the board
• Maintain your back row as long as possible for defensive strength
• Advance pieces in groups to create strong defensive formations
• Force opponents into positions where they must sacrifice pieces
• Plan your moves to create king positions strategically
• Use the opposition technique to control key squares
• Create trapped positions to limit opponent mobility

Similar Games

If you enjoy the strategic depth of checkers, you'll find several other engaging board games on papergames.io. Chess offers even greater complexity with its diverse pieces and movement patterns, perfect for players seeking deep strategic challenges. For a different style of tactical thinking, try Gomoku, where you'll aim to align five pieces in a row on a larger board. You might also enjoy Connect 4, which combines vertical thinking with strategic placement in a fast-paced environment.

Community and Tournaments

Join our active community of checkers enthusiasts! Participate in regular tournaments, discuss strategies with other players, and improve your game through friendly competition. Whether you're a beginner learning the basics or an experienced player seeking new challenges, you'll find a welcoming environment to enjoy this classic game.