The key differences
- Checkers is quicker to learn than Chess (clear after one round vs. takes experience).
- Checkers is over sooner: usually 10–25 minutes, while Chess takes 10–40 minutes.
At a glance
| At a glance | Chess | Checkers |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Board and dice games | Board and dice games |
| Players | 2 players | 2 players |
| Length of a game | 10–40 min | 10–25 min |
| Age | ages 6+ | ages 6+ |
| Luck or skill | pure skill | pure skill |
| Noise level | silent | silent |
| Learning curve | takes experience | clear after one round |
| Interaction | you react to each other | you react to each other |
| TV | not needed | not needed |
| Against the computer | yes | yes |
| Teams | no | no |
| Bluffing | no | no |
| Reading needed | no | no |
Which one suits you?
Chess
Two players, one board, no luck: whoever plans better wins. With a clock it turns into a race against time; without one there’s room to think things through.
Pick Chess when two people want a calm, focused game.
Checkers
Pieces move diagonally, captures are made by jumping, and capturing is compulsory. That rule is what makes it sneaky: use it well and you can lure your opponent into traps.
Pick Checkers when two people want a board duel with more traps than Nine Men’s Morris.
What they have in common
- Both only work with exactly 2 players.
- Both are Board and dice games.
- Both also work without a TV, right on iPhone, iPad or Mac.
- You can play both against the computer.
- Both work from age 6.
- Both come free with Gather and need no account.