Games / Checkers

Checkers

Draughts

The classic jumping game. Move diagonally, jump to capture, and crown a King when you reach the far side.

  • 1–2 players
  • Computer at 3 levels
  • Ages 6+
  • Free, no betting
Play Checkers

What it is

Checkers, also called draughts, is played on the dark squares of an 8×8 board. Each player starts with twelve pieces. Pieces step diagonally forward and capture by jumping over an opponent's piece. Reach the far row and your piece is crowned a King, which can move backwards too.

Khel ON plays American checkers, the rules used by the American Checker Federation and the World Checkers/Draughts Federation. Play the computer at Easy, Normal or Hard, pass one phone between two players, or start with Learn: a guided first game where a coach explains each new idea as it comes up. Win against the computer to earn up to three stars per level and collect badges. There are no coins, chips or betting.

Screenshots

A Checkers game against the computer on Normal, with a piece selected and its moves shown
Tap a piece to see where it can go
The guided first game with the coach explaining how to move
A coach for your first game
Checkers start screen with play against the computer, a friend or Learn, the level and the must-jump rule
Pick a level, your colour and the rules

How to play

  1. Set up

    Each player has twelve pieces on the dark squares of the three rows nearest them. Orange moves first.

  2. Move forward

    On your turn, move one piece one step diagonally forward to an empty dark square.

  3. Jump to capture

    If an opponent's piece is diagonally next to yours with an empty square behind it, jump over it and take it off the board. If you land where you can jump again, keep going. If you can jump, you must.

  4. Crown a King and win

    A piece that reaches the far row becomes a King and can move and jump backwards as well as forwards. Win by taking all your opponent's pieces or leaving them with no move.

Ways to play

Against the computer

Easy is gentle and leaves pieces open. Normal sets traps and takes what you give it. Hard looks many moves ahead and plays the endgame well.

With a friend

Two players share one phone and take turns. Orange starts at the bottom of the board.

Learn

A guided first game. The coach shows where pieces can go, warns when a piece is in danger and explains jumps and Kings.

Ready to play?

Checkers opens right here in your browser. No account, no download.

Play Checkers