Back to the basics: how to play checkers

Checkers is a game played by people of all ages, but are you playing by the official and correct rules? In this video, I go over the basic rules of checkers / English draughts, from piece movement, to jumping, kings, and what constitutes a win or a draw. I also discuss other variants of checkers, such as International 10x10, Brazilian, Russian, Italian and Turkish.

[BigLewBBQ]

There are a lot of very poor "How to Play Checkers" videos on Youtube, this one isn't one of them. In fact, this is most likely the best most thorough rules tutorial on Youtube. Also, the acknowledgement and coverage of the different varieties was interesting.

[swissuz]

I'm teaching my grandson how to play checkers and came to your channel for an example of how I can show him the basic "checkers" game. I really prefer your overhead illustrations as they are more clear to understand. One point that I may have missed in the very beginning is that, unlike chess, checker pieces can only advance in one direction. I'm trying to think like a 7-year-old and some of the basic moves could be explained before you show how to start the game...ie jumping more than one, and also jumping from along an edge. It would also be nice to show how a piece becomes a kind. Your demonstration of red pieces being a king on the red side was confusing because that could not happen unless that piece made it to the white side...along with another piece. Thank you for the demonstration!

[switcherwastaken]

Oh my gosh I have been searching for 20 minutes and havent found such a video, thanks a lot!

[JUONNE]

I love your videos man, have watched all of them and it's been helping me tremendously. Keep it up!

[robertj.]

Great video. The standard variant is the way I was taught. However, I often have debates whether or not a single piece can jump a king. Some people say yes and some say no.

[DaRadomBoi]

My mom she just bought me checker today and you're the day saver !

[Mewhead]

I really love the look of the pieces in this checkers set. What are they made out of?

[Sheilawisz]

You know, one of the apps I found has Italian checkers. I tried it, and these kings that are invulnerable to the normal pieces, are a lot of fun! I just don't like the mirrored board, or playing on the lighter squares, which is the same. It's pretty cool anyway! Now I want to try shashki with that rule! American checkers is still a wonderful game. Cheers, Ryan!

[Chordus_Gaius]

Interesting. Here in Brazil, when I learned checkers (Dama in Portuguese), there was no rule that said that you must captured the oppenents piece, this rule certainly makes the game more dynamic

[Gojos_page]

Can you move diagonally forward and then do a jump to take your opponent's piece all in one move? And if so can the jump be in a different direction (for example one square diagonally left then take a piece diagonally right but both forward)?

[mercadomarcos]

Thanks for this video! Two questions:
1. In this version, kings move only one square at a time, correct?
2. Whether it’s a king or not and more than one jumps can be made, can the player in turn choose to only jump once (or less than all possible number of jumps) or does the player in turn have to do all possible jumps?

[kandttv]

Can king double jump with a switch in direction from forwards jump, to backwards jump. A large V like pattern

[kaytee]

Nice easy to understand video. Also, why did you exclude Chinese Checkers as a variant ?

[sargam]

Can there be a multiple kings ?? Are they allowed to move diagonal way or up and down as well.

[KarlHehr]

I've now learned all your tips and tricks! Next time we meet, you're toast! :)

[Idk_its_an_alt_acc]

If someone gave his piece in front of a king then the king has to take it? But what if he eats that with his king then some other piece can eat him then the king is trapped is it?

[SanteGlobal]

is it true that non-king pieces can take backward ?

[komalshoaib]

I used to play checkers ad skid but now I don't remember the exact rules was teaching my son how to pay and came across your video thank you. But how do we double by the king ?? By using which piece

[TheJwellborn]

From how many empty spaces away is a kinged piece allowed to jump it's opponent's piece?

[abelin]

What is the name of the checkers variant where you play on a standard board (24 pieces, you must jump, and can jump forward or backward. It isn’t mandatory to jump forward first. Kings also fly. Is this called “Draughts?” Is this an American or European rule system? They also play the 40-50 move draw, they can declare a draw, and also play the “touch move” rule. Also, often I hear a player say “fixing” prior to adjusting their piece or opponents piece, is this also a rule under the “touch move” rules! Another thing I see I “king me” “crown me”. While this is understood, my question is this, is it customary to ask for the “crown” as opposed to crowning it yourself?