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CHECKERS RULES

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Go To: Overview - Captures and Multiple Captures - Notation

Overview

normal moves Beginning with Red each player moves one of his or her pieces per turn. Throughout these rules, a "piece" means either a "man"--a single checker, which is all that players have at the start of the game--or a "king," which is what a man becomes if it reaches the last rank.

A man may move one square diagonally forward--that is, toward the opponent--onto an empty square, as shown.

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jumping other men If a square diagonally in front of a man is occupied by an opponent's piece, and if the square beyond that piece in the same direction is empty, the man may jump over the opponent's piece and land on the empty square. The opponent's piece is captured and removed from the board. The diagram shows two possible jumps by White and one possible jump by Red.

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kings moves When a man reaches the last rank--the row of squares closest to the opponent--it becomes a king. A previously captured checker is placed on top of it as a crown to distinguish it from an ordinary man. Kings have the ability to move and capture the same way as men, but they also may move and capture backward.

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Next: Captures and Multiple Captures

Overview
		Beginning with Red each player moves one of his or her pieces per turn. Throughout these rules, a "piece" means either a "man"--a single checker, which is all that players have at the start of the game--or a "king," which is what a man becomes if it reaches the last rank. A man may move one square diagonally forward--that is, toward the opponent--onto an empty square, as shown.
		Back to Top

		If a square diagonally in front of a man is occupied by an opponent's piece, and if the square beyond that piece in the same direction is empty, the man may jump over the opponent's piece and land on the empty square. The opponent's piece is captured and removed from the board. The diagram shows two possible jumps by White and one possible jump by Red.
		Back to Top

		When a man reaches the last rank--the row of squares closest to the opponent--it becomes a king. A previously captured checker is placed on top of it as a crown to distinguish it from an ordinary man. Kings have the ability to move and capture the same way as men, but they also may move and capture backward.
		Back to Top Next: Captures and Multiple Captures