Who hasn’t played checkers at some point? Many of us have cherished memories of those oversized checkers games by the fireplace or on the porch at family restaurants. It’s a classic pastime that often becomes a part of family traditions, akin to playing card games like Hearts or Spades on a cozy evening. While other games like Mancala or Backgammon might have a wider following elsewhere, checkers holds a special place in our hearts—it’s as American as apple pie.
There are plenty of reasons why checkers is a beloved game. It’s simple and enjoyable, making it accessible to players of all ages. It doesn’t require reading or math skills, and even if you’re not a strategic mastermind, you can still stumble into a win. Nearly every family has an old set lying around, so you probably won’t need to spend money on a new one. And if you do need to buy one, a checkers set is quite affordable and could make a great gift for your competitive little one. While it might not be as portable as games like tic-tac-toe, checkers can easily be packed up for play almost anywhere.
If you’re a bit rusty, you might be wondering about the rules and how to teach your kids to play. Don’t worry; we’ve got all the information you need right here.
Setting Up the Game
What You Need:
- A Board: Look for a board with alternating dark and light squares, typically red and black. If you don’t have a proper checkers board, a chessboard works just as well.
- Playing Pieces: You’ll need 12 light (red) and 12 dark (black) checkers, totaling 24 pieces.
- A Friend: Just grab one challenger to join you.
Who Can Play?
Checkers requires two players. There are variations like “Chinese checkers” that can accommodate more players, but traditional checkers is a two-person game.
How to Start
Sit across from your opponent with the board between you. Each player should have a light-colored square in their right corner. One player takes the light pieces, while the other uses dark. Place your 12 checkers on the dark squares in front of you, filling three rows of four. There will be two open rows separating your checkers from your opponent’s.
Playing the Game
Movement and Capturing:
Decide who goes first; typically, the player with dark pieces starts. Players can only move their checkers diagonally forward onto dark squares. If you land on a square adjacent to an opponent’s checker, and there’s an empty square behind it, you must jump and capture that piece.
You can also chain jumps if you have multiple capturing opportunities in a single turn. Be cautious: if you leave a piece in a vulnerable position, your opponent can capture it.
King Me!
When one of your checkers reaches the opposite side of the board, your opponent must “king” that piece by stacking one of their captured pieces on top. Kings have enhanced movement abilities—they can move diagonally in both directions when capturing, but only one square at a time if not capturing.
Winning the Game
To win, either trap your opponent so they can’t move, or capture all their pieces.
Winning Strategies
- Protect Your Back Row: Keeping your back row occupied prevents your opponent from reaching it, making it harder for them to king their pieces.
- Cluster Your Pieces: Keeping your checkers in groups helps protect them from being captured and makes it easier to strategize your moves.
- Aim for Kings: Kings have a distinct advantage, so prioritize getting as many as you can.
- Capture Opponent’s Kings: If you have the chance to jump a king, take it—but ensure you’re not leaving yourself open to multiple captures.
- Control the Center: Dominating the center of the board allows your pieces to move more freely and reduces risk.
- Build Triangles: Positioning your pieces in triangular formations creates a strong defense and limits your opponent’s movements.
Teaching Kids
Now that you know the rules, here are some tips for teaching children how to play checkers effectively:
- Be Patient: Kids may get frustrated when they feel stuck. Allow them to express their emotions and remind them that it’s okay to lose while learning.
- Allow Redos: Since kids are still developing strategic thinking, offer them suggestions or allow them to redo moves until they grasp the game better. Setting limits on do-overs can help them improve gradually.
- Verbalize Your Moves: Talking through your decisions out loud can help kids understand strategy better. For example, explain your thought process as you play.
- Restart When Necessary: If a game becomes tedious because a child is losing, don’t hesitate to restart. This can turn a learning moment into a more engaging experience.
Checkers Game Apps
With social distancing in effect, many are turning to online games for entertainment. Here are some popular checkers apps you might enjoy:
- Checkers: Rated 4.2, this app features 10 difficulty levels and includes rules to help new players.
- Checkers Free: Available on Android and iOS, this beginner-friendly app includes an undo option.
- Checkers Free!: A Microsoft download offering different themes, although it doesn’t support flying kings.
Quotes About Checkers
Checkers isn’t just a game; it’s a metaphor for life. Here are some insightful quotes that can deepen your appreciation for the game:
- “I think there’s something wrong with me. I like to win in everything I do… if we’re playing checkers, I want to win.” — Alex Turner
- “Eternity is a child playing, playing checkers; the kingdom belongs to a child.” — Heraclitus
- “Love is like playing checkers. You have to know which man to move.” — Moms Mabley
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Summary
Checkers is a timeless game that can create cherished family moments. With its simple rules and engaging strategies, it’s an excellent way to bond with your kids while teaching them valuable skills. Remember to be patient as they learn, and don’t hesitate to restart games to keep the fun alive.
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