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Checkers strategy and tips
Checkers looks simple, but it is a game of tempo, structure and forced sequences. These ideas will help you win more games, from the first move to the last king.
This guide uses American checkers as the example; the ideas also carry over to Russian and International draughts, with the changes noted at the end.
1. Control the centre
Pieces in the middle of the board can move in two directions and support each other. Pieces on the edge have only one way to go and can be shut in. Get your men to the centre squares early, and keep them connected.
2. Keep your back row as long as you can
The back row (the row nearest you) stops your opponent from getting kings. A well-known defensive set-up is the bridge: the two back-row men on squares 1 and 3 for the dark side, or 30 and 32 for the light side, which guard against almost every attempt to crown a piece. Release the back-row pieces only when the position needs them or when you can safely get a king yourself.
3. Move in connected groups
A piece that has a friend directly behind it along the line of attack cannot be jumped. Advance men in triangles and pairs so that every piece is backed up. Lone, advanced pieces are the ones that get captured.
4. Understand tempo
A tempo is one step of advancement. Counting how many safe moves each side has left is the heart of checkers. In a locked position, the side that runs out of safe moves first must give up material. When you can, keep a spare move in reserve; when you can't, trade pieces to change the count.
5. Look for forced jumps
Because jumping is compulsory, you can force your opponent's pieces to move where you want. The classic combination is a sacrifice: you offer one piece so that your opponent must jump, and the jump opens a path for you to capture two or three pieces in return. Before every move, ask what jump your opponent must make, and where their capturing piece will land.
6. Trade when it helps you
When you are ahead in pieces, trade one for one: it takes you closer to a simple win. When behind, avoid trades and keep the position complicated. An exchange is also useful to remove an enemy piece that is attacking your structure, or to open a path to a king.
7. Beware of the edge
An edge piece cannot be jumped, which can seem safe, but it can be locked in and wasted. A man on the side with no moves is a lost tempo. Use edge pieces mostly to defend, not to attack.
8. Think two moves ahead
Every move, check: what will my opponent do if I make this move, and what is my reply? The best habit a beginner can build is to look for your opponent's best reply, not their most obvious one.
The endgame
- Get a king first. A king can attack from behind and is very hard to trap.
- Two kings against one is usually a draw if the single king holds the long diagonal, the main diagonal running corner to corner. Keep your king on it.
- Three kings against one can win if you trap the lone king; learn the technique before you need it.
- The opposition means placing your pieces so that your opponent runs out of safe moves first. In an ending with few pieces it often decides the game.
Other variants
In Russian and International draughts, men capture backward, so a piece you thought was safe can be hit from behind; always check all four directions. Flying kings are far stronger than kings in American checkers, and a single king on an open diagonal can dominate. The majority rule in International draughts makes forced shots even more important.
Ready to test these ideas? Play a game on CheckersTalk, and read openings and traps next.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best first move in checkers?
There is no single best move, but 11-15, moving a man from the middle of the left side, is the most popular opening move in American checkers. It leads to many well-studied lines.
Is it better to go first in checkers?
In American checkers, a game with perfect play from the standard opening is a draw, so neither side has a built-in advantage. In practice, the player who handles tempo and forced jumps better wins.
How do I get better at checkers?
Play often against stronger opponents, learn a handful of standard openings, practise the endgames with a few kings, and study the shots (sacrifice combinations). Reviewing your lost games to find where you gave up tempo is the quickest way to improve.