Checkers Strategy: How to Win More Games

Checkers looks simple, but the mandatory-capture rule turns every move into a possible trap. Good players think about what they’re forcing their opponent to do, not just where their own pieces go.

Guard your back row

Pieces on your own back row stop your opponent from crowning. Keep at least two of them home for as long as you can — especially the corner pieces — and move them only when the endgame demands it.

Fight for the centre

Pieces in the middle of the board have more squares to move to and support each other. Pieces stuck on the side edges can only move one way and are easier to trap.

Use forced captures to set traps

Captures are mandatory here, and a piece that captures must keep jumping while it can. That lets you offer a piece deliberately: your opponent must take it, and their capturing piece lands where you can jump two or three pieces back.

Before every move, check whether it forces you into a capture that ends badly — your opponent will be setting the same traps.

Move in pairs

A lone piece that runs ahead can be jumped. Advance pieces so they back each other up diagonally: a piece with a friend directly behind it can’t be captured from the front.

Converting a king advantage

A king moves and captures both ways, so an extra king usually wins. Use it to attack pieces from behind, and trade pieces when you’re ahead. Remember that 40 moves without a capture is a draw, so keep making progress.

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