PlayMindARENAPLAYMIND ARENA · PRACTICAL GUIDE
How to play Checkers
English / American checkers · 8 × 8. Black starts from the bottom. Men move and capture forward; kings move and capture one diagonal step or jump in either direction. Captures are mandatory. Continue a multiple jump with the same piece. Promotion ends the turn. Threefold repetition or 40 moves per player without capture or man movement is a draw.
Written by PlayMind Arena · Updated 2 November 2026
Rules used here
English / American checkers · 8 × 8. Black starts from the bottom. Men move and capture forward; kings move and capture one diagonal step or jump in either direction. Captures are mandatory. Continue a multiple jump with the same piece. Promotion ends the turn. Threefold repetition or 40 moves per player without capture or man movement is a draw.
Read a position
If a capture is available, an ordinary non-capturing move is not legal. After the first jump, continue jumping with that same piece when another capture is available.
A detail to notice
This is English/American checkers with short kings. Men capture forward, and reaching promotion ends that turn. Plan the landing square before committing to a forced sequence.
Play on PlayMind Arena
Choose Play vs AI or Local two player to begin without an account. Select a piece or intersection, then a legal destination. Use Tab to reach the board, arrows to move focus, and Enter or Space to select. Move hints and sound can be changed in board settings.
Use Undo in practice to explore another idea. Practice games stay in this browser, do not sync between devices and do not change online points. Choose Play online to enter the sign-in lobby and invite an opponent; turn and match limits are shown before play begins.