1. Checkers is a two-player game.
2. The game requires an eight by eight squares board and 24 game pieces (12 of each color).
3. Regulation boards and pieces are different than those purchased in most stores.
4. You can only move diagonal on the board.
5. Whenever possible, it is required that you jump your opponent's pieces.
6. Single pieces can only move forward, but kings are free to move forward and backward.

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• by Jacky Graves

• Checkers, also called Draughts, is a board game that archaeologists believe has been around since about 3,000 B.C. Through the years, the game of checkers has undergone many transformations, including having different boards, rules and names, before becoming the game played today.Games Information Depot: History of Checkers Read on to learn everything you need to know to play a fun game of checkers.

• Before learning the rules of checkers, it is necessary to educate yourself on the the basics of the game. It is helpful to look at a board as we go through the steps. If you do not already have a checkers board, you should be able to purchase one in any store that sells board games, or check out Mahalo's guide to checkers retailers.

• The objective to the game of checkers is to either eliminate all of your opponent's pieces, or make it impossible for your opponent to make any moves.Jim Loy's Home Page: The Basic Rules of Checkers

• Checkers is played with two players sitting on opposite sides of the board.Game Information Depot: How to Play Checkers In general play, each player chooses what color they want to play. However in regulation games, a coin is tossed to determine which color each player will be. The players take turns moving their pieces on the board.Masters Games: The Rules of Draughts

• A basic board is eight squares by eight squares, alternating dark and light colors. There are differences between a regulation tournament board and a commercial board.

1. The American Checker Federation regulation board has 64, green and buff, two-inch squares.Jim Loy's Home Page: The Basic Rules of Checkers The American Checker Federation: Tournament Rules There are 12 red and 12 white playing pieces that are round with a diameter of 1-1/4 inches to 1-1/2 inches.The American Checker Federation: Tournament Rules The pieces are smooth and have no designs.Jim Loy's Home Page: The Basic Rules of Checkers
2. Most checker game boards purchased in stores have 64 red and black squares with a yellow line to border the squares.BobNewell.net: Obtaining a Regulation Checkers Set The board is typically 12-inches on each side. There are 24 black and red playing pieces that are generally made of plastic and are round with a diameter of about 1-1/4 inches. About.com: How To Play Checkers (Using Standard U.S. Rules) BobNewell.net: Obtaining a Regulation Checkers Set

1. Position the board so that each player has a lighter colored square on the bottom right of their side.About.com: How To Play Checkers (Using Standard U.S. Rules)
2. The pieces are placed on the 12 dark squares closest to each player.Jim Loy's Home Page: The Basic Rules of Checkers Masters Games: The Rules of Draughts
3. The light-colored squares are not used during game play.Masters Games: The Rules of Draughts
4. If playing with pieces that have a design on one side, the pieces should be placed on the board design-side down.Game Information Depot: How to Play Checkers

• YouTube: Board Games & Card Games : How to Play Checkers (Time: 3:33)

• Now that you know the basics, it's time to play the game. Checkers is a simple game that can be learned relatively quickly.

1. When a player enters the last row (the King row) on the opposite side of the board, they become kinged.Jim Loy's Home Page: The Basic Rules of Checkers
2. The kinged piece is crowned with a captured piece of the same color.About.com: How To Play Checkers (Using Standard U.S. Rules)
   • -If playing with pieces that have a design, flip the piece over so that it is design-side up.Game Information Depot: How to Play Checkers
3. Kings are free to move forward and backward on the board, but must still move diagonally.Masters Games: The Rules of Draughts About.com: How To Play Checkers (Using Standard U.S. Rules)
4. Kings are free to change positions diagonally (forward and backward) during a turn.About.com: How To Play Checkers (Using Standard U.S. Rules)
5. Single pieces can capture kings, but must only move forward on the board.Masters Games: The Rules of Draughts

• The game is won when one player cannot make any more moves. This can happen in two ways:

1. One player has eliminated all of the opponent's pieces.Jim Loy's Home Page: The Basic Rules of Checkers
2. One player has trapped the other so it is impossible for the opponent to make any moves.About.com: How To Play Checkers (Using Standard U.S. Rules)

• Because checkers has such a varied history there are many alternate ways to play the game.

1. Some rules don't require players to jump when the space is available. Make sure you agree with you opponent ahead of time.Tutorials.com: Learn2 Play Checkers
2. Don't have a board...or a partner? Try online checkers and play against a computer. Here's a few sites to get you started:
   • Gamesville: How to Play Online Checkers
   • ESPN Arcade: Free Online Checkers
   • Thinks.com: Online Checkers
   • Pogo.com: Online Checkers
3. The rules of checkers varies some from country to country. Here are some sites that explain variations to the game, according to the country.
   • Games Information Depot: Checkers Rules Variations
   • LearnPlayWin.net: Checkers: Rules Variations
   • ItsYourTurn.com: Checkers: Variations

• Now that you know the rules of playing checkers, you can play anytime with family or friends. Once you have practiced your skills, you might even want to join a tournament through the American Checker Federation!