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.
- 2 players
- 10–25 min
- ages 6+
- works without a TV
- vs. computer
Capture all your opponent's pieces or leave them without a move.
How it works
- You play on the dark squares. Pieces move one square diagonally forward.
- You capture by jumping over a piece. Capturing is mandatory, and several jumps in a row count as one move.
- Regular pieces may also capture backwards.
- A piece that reaches the far row becomes a king. Kings move and capture any distance diagonally.
Good to know
- If a jump doesn't end on the last row, the piece stays a regular piece.
- Keep your back row occupied for a long time so your opponent can't easily get a king.
On the TV and on your phone
What you see and tap, where and when – step by step:
- Choose the game
- Join and get ready
- Choose a piece
- Tap the destination
What makes Checkers work
- Forced captures and multi-jumps create surprising twists.
- The app enforces every rule – no arguing over whether a jump was required.
- Two players or against the computer, no TV needed.
Pick Checkers when two people want a board duel with more traps than Nine Men’s Morris.
Skip it when someone would have to learn forced captures and kings and you’re short on time.
Frequently asked questions
Is capturing mandatory in Gather’s Checkers?
Yes. If you can capture, Gather only offers you capturing moves, and a multi-jump is always played to the end. That’s why there’s no huffing, where a piece that failed to capture is removed.
Do I have to take the capture that removes the most pieces?
No. If there are several captures, you choose freely – there’s no majority rule like in international draughts.
How far can a king move in Checkers?
Any distance diagonally, both when moving and when capturing. After a capture it can land on any empty square beyond the captured piece.
Does a piece become a king in the middle of a jump?
Only if its move ends on the far row. If it can keep capturing from there, it carries on as a regular piece and stays one.
When is a game of Checkers a draw?
On threefold repetition of the same position, or after 25 moves per side in which only kings move and nothing is captured.
How strong is the computer at Checkers?
Fairly strong: it looks six moves ahead and follows capture sequences even further. You can play it without a TV on iPhone, iPad or Mac.
Variants and house rules
Gather plays by the rules above. Anything you can set in the app is marked – the rest are agreements you make at the table.
Against the computer setting in Gather
On your own you play the computer and learn how forced captures and multi-jumps work together. Choose the computer opponent when you start.
Two games, both colours table agreement
Always play a pair of games so each of you starts once. Only the total counts. Keep the score yourselves.
Handicap for beginners table agreement
When an experienced player faces a newcomer, the experienced player gives a short warning before a capture is possible on their next move. That helps beginners see the traps that forced captures create. It’s a spoken agreement only – the app doesn’t give hints.
Good for
Checkers compared
- Checkers or Chess?2 players, pure skill, silent
- Checkers or Stack Rush?2–6 players, skill and luck, calm
- Checkers or Corner Chaos?1–6 players, mostly skill, very loud
- Checkers or Crazy Mau?2–8 players, lots of luck, lively
- Checkers or Village at Night?5–12 players, mostly skill, loud
- Checkers or Say It Different?4–12 players, mostly skill, very loud
- Checkers or Four in a Row?2 players, pure skill, calm
- Checkers or Nine Men’s Morris?2 players, pure skill, silent
- Checkers or Rummy?2–6 players, skill and luck, calm
- Checkers or Sketch Round?3–10 players, mostly skill, loud
- Checkers or Letter Hunt?2–10 players, mostly skill, lively
- Checkers or Quiz Night?1–10 players, mostly skill, loud
- Checkers or Sea Battle?2 players, skill and luck, calm
- Checkers or Five Dice?1–6 players, lots of luck, lively
- Checkers or Cover Word?4–12 players, mostly skill, loud
- Checkers or Fib Finder?3–10 players, mostly skill, loud
- Checkers or Little Max?2–8 players, skill and luck, loud
- Checkers or Thirty-One?2–9 players, skill and luck, lively
Similar games
Chess
2 players10–40 minworks without a TVCheckmate the opposing king.
Four in a Row
2 players3–10 minworks without a TVGet four of your discs in a row – horizontally, vertically or diagonally.
Nine Men’s Morris
2 players10–20 minworks without a TVTake your opponent's pieces until they have only two left – or can't move anymore.
Sea Battle
2 players10–20 minworks without a TVBe the first to sink all of your opponent's ships.
Five Dice
1–6 players10–30 minworks without a TVScore the most points on your sheet after 13 turns.
Little Max
2–8 players10–20 minworks without a TVKeep your lives the longest – through clever bluffing and healthy suspicion.