American Checkers
8×8 · 12 pieces
How to play American Checkers: the 8 by 8 board, 12 pieces a side, kings that step one square, and men that only capture forwards. Play it free against an engine that knows them. Open the board and pick American from the styles rail.
At a glance
| Board | 8 by 8, played on the dark squares |
|---|---|
| Pieces each | 12 |
| Men capture backwards | No |
| Flying kings | No |
| Men may capture kings | Yes |
| The crown | Crowned on reaching the far row, and the move ends there |
| Choosing a capture | Capturing is compulsory, but any capture will do |
The rules
The board
- 8×8 board, 12 pieces each on the dark squares
- Red moves first
Moves
- Men slide one square diagonally forward
- Kings move one square diagonally, any direction
Captures
- Jumping is mandatory
- Men jump forward only; kings jump any direction
- Keep jumping with the same piece while you can
- Several jumps available: your choice which to start
Kings
- Reach the far row and the move ends there: crown that man
- A new king waits a turn before it strikes
Winning
- Capture everything, or leave your opponent with no legal move
Play it
King of Checkers plays American Checkers exactly as written above, against an opponent with six difficulties, on the web and on your phone. American and El Rey Efrain are free forever.
The other styles
- El Rey Efrain Rules, 8×8 · for Dad
- International Draughts, 10×10 · 20 pieces
- Brazilian Draughts, 8×8 · Int’l rules
- Pool Checkers, 8×8 · no majority
- Russian Shashki, 8×8 · mid-jump crown
- Spanish Draughts, 8×8 · mirrored board
- Italian Draughts, 8×8 · men spare kings
- Turkish Dama, 8×8 · straight lines