Checkers is a free online board game you can play instantly in your browser against a computer opponent named Otto, no download, no account, and no waiting for another player. Play on the classic 8x8 board with standard American rules: move your pieces diagonally forward one square at a time, and capture by jumping over an adjacent opponent piece into an empty square beyond. Capturing is mandatory whenever it's available, and a piece that jumps must keep jumping as far as the chain allows in one turn. Get a piece all the way to the opposite back row and it's crowned a king, free to move and capture diagonally in every direction from then on. Play through 15 levels that sharpen Otto's search depth and precision with every board, from a rival that blunders into bad trades early on up to one that calculates several moves ahead and never leaves a piece hanging. Win by capturing every one of Otto's pieces or leaving him with no legal move to make; Try Again resets the board at the same difficulty any time he boxes you in.
How to play Checkers
- Move a piece diagonally forward one square at a time onto an empty dark square — regular pieces can only move toward the opposite side of the board.
- Capture by jumping diagonally over an adjacent opponent piece into the empty square beyond it; capturing is mandatory whenever any of your pieces can do it.
- A piece that captures must keep jumping in the same turn as long as another capture is available from its new square.
- Get a piece all the way to the far back row and it's crowned a king, able to move and capture diagonally forward or backward from then on.
- Win by capturing every one of your opponent's pieces, or by leaving them with no legal move to make on their turn.
- A level is a single game; clear it to unlock the next level's sharper opponent.
Tips
- Check for a forced capture before you plan any other move — if one of your pieces can jump, you have to take it, so it's worth spotting your own vulnerable pieces early.
- Keep pieces supported by a neighbor whenever you can; a lone piece one diagonal step ahead of an opponent piece is a capture waiting to happen.
- Advancing on the edge columns is safer since there's only one diagonal to defend, but the center gives you more mobility and more chances to set up multi-jumps.
- Don't rush to trade pieces early — the side with more pieces left in the endgame usually controls the board and can force the last few captures.
FAQ
Is Checkers free to play?
Yes. Checkers is completely free to play online with no download, no account, and no in-game purchases.
Does Checkers work on mobile?
Yes — tap a piece to select it, then tap a highlighted square to move, so it plays the same on phones, tablets, and desktop.
Can I play Checkers with a friend online?
This version is single-player against a computer opponent named Otto, so there's no lobby or waiting for another player — you can start a game any time.
How many levels does Checkers have?
There are 15 levels. Otto's AI searches deeper and plays more precisely with every level, from frequent blunders early on up to calculated, multi-move-ahead play by the final tables.