Checkers

How to play

Each side starts with 12 pieces on the dark squares. Black moves first. Pieces move one square diagonally forward. Capture by jumping over an opponent's piece into the empty square behind it — if a capture is available you must take it, and if your piece can keep jumping it must continue. A piece that reaches the far row is crowned a king and can then move and capture backwards too. You win when your opponent has no pieces left or no legal move.

Tips

• Keep your back row filled as long as you can — it stops the opponent from getting kings.
• Control the centre squares; pieces on the edge have fewer moves.
• Since captures are forced, offer a piece on purpose to set up a double jump in return.
• When you are ahead, trade pieces: every even exchange makes your lead bigger.