Checkers

Checkers

Checkers, also known as draughts in some countries, is a timeless board game played on an 8×8 square board with 64 squares of alternating colors. Each player begins with 12 pieces placed on the dark squares of the three rows closest to them. The primary objective of the game is to capture all of the opponent’s pieces or block them so they have no legal moves. The pieces move diagonally forward one square at a time. If an opponent’s piece is adjacent and the square beyond it is vacant, a capture is made by jumping over the opponent’s piece and removing it from the board. When a piece reaches the farthest row from the player, it is crowned as a “king,” signified by placing another piece on top of it, granting it the ability to move and capture both forward and backward. The game requires strategic planning and foresight, as players must balance offense and defense, anticipating the opponent’s moves while navigating their pieces towards promotion or capturing opportunities. The simplicity of the rules combined with the complexity of strategy provides a deep and engaging gameplay experience, making checkers a beloved game across generations and cultures.