PlayfuloCHECKERS

Board game

Checkers

How would you like to play?

8×8 · American checkers or Spanish draughts · mandatory jumps · kings

Checkers game guide

What is this game?

Playfulo Checkers is the classic board game played diagonally on the dark squares of an 8×8 board. Also known as draughts, the goal is to jump over and capture your opponent's pieces.

Play free online checkers in your browser with no download or sign-up: checkers vs AI (easy, normal, hard) or 2 player checkers on the same device. Works on PC, tablet, and mobile.

Choose your rules on the start screen: American checkers (English draughts) by default, or Spanish draughts (damas españolas) with flying kings as played in Spain and Latin America. Both have forced captures, multi-jumps, and kings crowned on the far row.

How to play checkers

Each side starts with 12 pieces on its first three rows. Black moves first in American checkers and White moves first in Spanish draughts. Regular pieces move one square diagonally forward.

  • Jump over an adjacent opponent piece to the empty square beyond it to capture it.
  • If a capture is available you must take it (forced capture), and keep jumping with the same piece while more captures are possible.
  • American checkers kings move one square diagonally forward or backward. Spanish draughts kings fly along empty diagonals and can capture from a distance.
  • In Spanish draughts you must capture the most pieces possible, and with equal counts the most kings.
  • Win by capturing every opposing piece or leaving your opponent with no legal move. In 2 player games on one device you can also agree to a draw.
  • King-only play with no captures is a draw after 40 moves each (American) or 20 moves each (Spanish).

Controls

  • Tap a piece highlighted in green, then tap a destination marked with a dot. When a capture is mandatory, only capturing pieces can be selected.
  • For a multi-jump, tap each landing square in turn; the piece keeps jumping until no more captures remain.
  • Pick a difficulty to play checkers vs AI, or choose 2 player checkers on the same device. After the game you can replay it move by move.
  • Choose American checkers or Spanish draughts on the start screen; your choice is remembered next time. In 2 player games, tap “Offer draw” on your turn to end the game by agreement.

Strategy tips

  • Keep your back row occupied as long as possible so your opponent cannot crown a king.
  • Advance in compact groups: a lone piece is easy to capture and can force a bad trade.
  • Use forced captures to your advantage: offer one piece to lure the opponent into a spot where you can jump two or more back.
  • In Spanish draughts a single flying king controls a whole diagonal. Grab the long diagonal early and use the capture-the-most rule to drag enemy pieces where you want them.

Difficulty differences

Easy looks only one move ahead and sometimes picks looser moves. Normal reads about three moves and avoids giving away free pieces. Hard searches deeper, follows capture chains to the end, and values crowning and holding the back row.

Common beginner mistakes

  • Emptying your back row early lets your opponent crown kings easily.
  • Forgetting forced captures: pushing a piece forward can let the opponent jump and chain two or three captures.
  • Sending one piece deep alone cuts it off from support and gives it away for free.

FAQ

Can I play checkers online for free?

Yes. Play checkers online free on Playfulo with no download or sign-up. Challenge the checkers AI on easy, normal, or hard, or play 2 player checkers with a friend on the same device — on PC or mobile.

What are the rules of checkers?

Play on one colour of squares of an 8×8 board; Black moves first in American checkers and White in Spanish draughts. Pieces move one square diagonally forward and capture by jumping over an opponent's piece. Captures are mandatory and multi-jumps are allowed. Reaching the far row crowns a king that can also move backward. Capture all pieces or block every move to win.

Do you have to jump in checkers?

Yes. Capturing is compulsory in checkers: if any jump is available you must make one. In American checkers you may choose among several captures; in Spanish draughts you must take the line that captures the most pieces. Playfulo highlights only the pieces and squares you are allowed to play.

How do you get a king in checkers?

Move a regular piece all the way to your opponent's back row and it is crowned king, shown with a crown icon. Kings move and capture diagonally both forward and backward. If a piece is crowned in the middle of a jump sequence, the turn ends there.

Are checkers and draughts the same game?

Yes, they are the same family. Checkers is the American name, draughts the British one, and damas the Spanish one. Some countries use variants with larger boards or flying kings; Playfulo offers both 8×8 American checkers and Spanish draughts.

What is the difference between Spanish draughts and American checkers?

In Spanish draughts White moves first and the board is set with the long diagonal on each player's right. Kings fly any number of empty squares and can capture distant pieces, and you must take the capture that wins the most pieces — or, with equal counts, the most kings. Pick “Spanish draughts” on the Playfulo checkers start screen to play these rules vs AI or with a friend.

Can you agree to a draw in 2 player checkers?

Yes. In 2 player checkers on one device, tap “Offer draw” on your turn and your opponent can accept or decline; accepting ends the game as a draw. Games also end in a draw after 40 king-only moves each without captures in American checkers, or 20 each in Spanish draughts.