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Checkers guides

The rules, the openings, the tactics and the big questions about checkers, with boards you can play on as you read.

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How to play checkersMoves, forced jumps, kings and how you win, with boards to try each rule.Checkers notationWhat 11-15 and 15x22 mean, and how to read any checkers move.

About Checky

A chess.com for checkersBots, puzzles, lessons, openings and game review, all built for checkers.

Openings

Checkers openingsThe seven first moves, what the openings are called, and which to learn first.Old Faithful (11-15)Ink’s most trusted first move, heading for the centre. Every reply and its traps.Double Corner (9-14)By most accounts Ink’s second-best first move. Every reply and its traps.Kelso (10-15)Named after the Scottish town whose players made it popular. Every reply and its traps.Bristol (11-16)Ink heads for the side, not the centre. Every reply and its traps.Dundee (12-16)One of Ink’s weaker first moves. Every reply and its traps.Denny (10-14)One of Ink’s weaker first moves, because it gives Pink several strong replies. Every reply and its traps.Edinburgh (9-13)By most accounts Ink’s weakest first move, though it’s popular with people learning the game. Every reply and its traps.Opening trapsTen natural-looking opening moves that lose a man, and how to punish them.

Playing better

Shots and tacticsThe 2 for 1 and eleven more shots that win games, with boards to try.Checkers strategyTwelve habits and plans that win games, from the centre to spare moves.Checkers endgamesTwo kings against one, the opposition, First Position and saving a lost game.

Big questions

Is checkers solved?Yes, it’s a draw. What was proved in 2007, and why it changes nothing for you.Is checkers easier than chess?Easier to learn, not easier to master. How the two games really compare.Tinsley vs ChinookThe best player ever, the program built to beat him, and how it ended.