Checkers
(Public Domain), (Unknown), 3Joy Games · Board game · 1150
2 · best 2
30 min
Weight 1.7/5
Buy
6.3
rating
Ludopedia
4.9
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
If you enjoy a good mental challenge and games that test your anticipation skills, Checkers is a timeless classic that will hook you! It's pure strategy and reasoning.
Highlights
- Pure strategy
- Easy to learn
- Tactical depth
- Brain exercise
- Timeless classic
Keep in mind
- Two players only
- Can be repetitive
- Requires patience
Rules manual not indexed yet
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About the game
What you do in a play session
Checkers, also known as Draughts, is a classic abstract strategy game for two players that has spanned centuries and cultures, remaining one of the most popular pastimes worldwide. Its roots are believed to trace back to Ancient Egypt, but the rules we know today, under the name “Fierges,” took shape in the Middle Ages and spread globally with European expansion. The objective is simple, yet the strategic depth is immense: capture all of your opponent's pieces or completely block them so they have no more valid moves.
The game is played on an 8x8 checkered board, with disc-shaped pieces that move only diagonally, one space at a time. The central capture mechanic involves 'jumping' over an adjacent opponent's piece into an empty space. And here's the catch (literally!): if a capture is possible, it is mandatory. This creates fertile ground for sacrifice tactics, where you might 'offer' a piece to capture multiple in return, turning the game in your favor.
To win, it takes more than just moving pieces; it requires anticipating your opponent's moves, planning capture sequences, and thinking several steps ahead, much like in chess. Checkers is an excellent exercise for abstract spatial perception, creativity, and logical reasoning, serving as a vibrant cultural and social agent that entertains and challenges people of all ages. It's a game that, despite its simple rules, offers a strategic complexity that captivates and stimulates the mind.
The game is played on an 8x8 checkered board, with disc-shaped pieces that move only diagonally, one space at a time. The central capture mechanic involves 'jumping' over an adjacent opponent's piece into an empty space. And here's the catch (literally!): if a capture is possible, it is mandatory. This creates fertile ground for sacrifice tactics, where you might 'offer' a piece to capture multiple in return, turning the game in your favor.
To win, it takes more than just moving pieces; it requires anticipating your opponent's moves, planning capture sequences, and thinking several steps ahead, much like in chess. Checkers is an excellent exercise for abstract spatial perception, creativity, and logical reasoning, serving as a vibrant cultural and social agent that entertains and challenges people of all ages. It's a game that, despite its simple rules, offers a strategic complexity that captivates and stimulates the mind.
Gallery
Box and component photos
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Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
In English
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Draughts aka Checkers basic strategy
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Filipino Dama is sort of a "melting pot" game of Checkers - one might say "exotic."
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The 7 Checkers Starting Moves You Need to Know More About!
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How To Play Checkers
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THE SECRET OF WINNING IN CHECKERS
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Easy Checkers Guide For Beginners!
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How To Play Checkers | Checkers Board Game Rules and Instructions | Learn Checker
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How to Play CHECKERS!
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How to play Checkers
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How to play US Checkers
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How to setup and play
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THE CROSS OPENING...CHECKERS AND DRAUGHTS
Best player count
BGG community vote
2
BEST
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
(Public Domain), (Unknown), 3Joy Games, ABRA, Australian Red Cross, Barnes & Noble, Bello Games New York, Inc., Berwick's Toy Co. Ltd., Big League Promotions Corp., Borras Plana S.A., Built-Rite, Canada Games Company Lmt., The Canadian Group, Cardinal, Carlit, Carrom Company, Cayro, The Games, CES, Chad Valley Co Ltd., CHH Games, Coca-Cola, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Compass Labs Inc., Copp Clark Publishing Company, Creative Crafthouse, Crisloid, Crown Games, Deuce, Dilemma Games, Distribuzione Associata Giocattoli, Ducale, Dujardin, E. S. Lowe Company Inc., East Hull Press, Editions ATLAS, Educational Insights, The Embossing Company, Everlite Travel Goods, Executive Games, F.J.T Inc., Fifth Avenue Crystal Ltd., Fratelli Fabbri Editori (Fabbri Editore), FridgePlay, Friendly Games, Inc., Fundex, G. J. Hayter & Co, Ltd., Galt Toys, Games Hub, Globe Series of Games, Granna, Great American Trading Company, Guild Publishing, H. Baron, H. P. Gibson & Sons, HABA, Halsall, Halsam, Hasbro, Hearth & Hand with Magnolia, Hershey, Hexagames (I), Hobby-Werkhaus, Holdson, Homas Spelen, Horn, House Martin, Invicta Games, Jay Franco and Sons, John Deere, John Player & Sons, John Sands Pty Ltd, Jumbo, K & C Ltd, The Kennedy Co., Kentheon Corporation, King International, Klopffleisch, L. P. Septímio, Magnetic Poetry Inc, Majora, Marchant, Marigó, MasterPieces Inc., Masters Games, MB Spiele, McCormick & Co, Melissa & Doug, Meridian Point Products, Merit, MIKA, Miko, Milton Bradley, Mitra, Murfett, Nathan, National Game Company, The Noble Collection, Noris Spiele, O'Gowna Studio, Old Time Games, The Op Games, Oriental Trading Company, Papita, Parker Brothers, Patch Products, Paul Lamond Games Ltd, Pavilion, Peaceable Kingdom, Peri Spiele, Personal Computer World (PCW), Peter Pan Playthings, Philmar, Philos, Piatnik, Pier 1 Imports, Pin International, Planet Finska, Plasticart, Pleasantime Games, Pressman Toy Corp., Puremco, The Purple Cow, Quaker Oats, Queensell, Regionalia Verlag GmbH, Rico Industries, Schmidt Spiele, Selchow & Righter, Severed Books, Simba Toys, Siso Trend, Skor-Mor, Smethport Specialty Co., Spear's Games, Spencer Gifts, SPIKA GmbH, Standard Oil, StirlingFox, Sunrise Chess & Games, Super Accord, Thomas Salter Ltd, Toysmith, The Traditional Games Co. Ltd., Transogram, Trefl, Tri-ang, University Games, Vilac, Waddingtons, Wee Folks, Węgiel, Western Publishing Company, Westley Games, Whitman, Wm F. Drueke & Sons, Inc., Wood Expressions, Xinliye
Designer
(Uncredited)
Artist
Beatrix Potter, Frank Hampson
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
13,081owners
145wishlist
5want to play
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
How many players can play Checkers?
Checkers is a classic game strictly designed for two players, making it perfect for one-on-one strategic duels.
What is the average game length for Checkers?
A typical game of Checkers usually lasts between 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the players' experience and the complexity of the strategies involved.
Is Checkers a complex game to learn?
Not at all! The basic rules of Checkers are super simple and easy to pick up, but the strategic depth it offers is what makes it so captivating and challenging in the long run.
What are the main components of the game?
You only need a checkered board (usually 8x8) and 12 light and 12 dark pieces for each player. Simple and effective!
Who is Checkers recommended for?
Checkers is ideal for anyone looking for an abstract strategy game that stimulates logical reasoning, anticipation, and planning. It's great for all ages, from children learning to think strategically to adults who appreciate a good mental challenge.
Is there any luck involved in Checkers?
There is no element of luck in Checkers. It is a game of pure strategy, where victory depends entirely on your decisions and your ability to anticipate your opponent's moves.
Can I play Checkers with children?
Absolutely! Checkers is an excellent game to introduce children to strategic thinking and problem-solving in a fun and accessible way.
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