The basics
Checkers notation
Every checkers book, website and app writes moves the same way, with numbers. Once you know where the numbers go, you can read any game. It takes about two minutes.
Short answer
The 32 dark squares are numbered 1 to 32. A move is written from-to: 11-15 means the piece on 11 moves to 15. A jump uses an x: 15x22 means the piece on 15 jumps to 22, and a double jump is written 11x18x27.
The numbered squares
Only the 32 dark squares are used, and each has a number. Ink’s men start on 1 to 12 and Pink’s on 21 to 32, with 13 to 20 empty in the middle. The numbers run along each row, starting from Ink’s back row. In the official rules and most books, Ink is Black and Pink is White.
Take the The Board and Its Numbers lesson in CheckyWriting a move
- A move: the square it starts on, a dash, and the square it ends on. 11-15.
- A jump: the same, with an x. 15x22.
- A double jump: every square it lands on, in order. 11x18x27.
The numbers stay the same whichever way round you look at the board. Square 1 is always in Ink’s back row, even when Ink is at the bottom of your screen.
Take the The Board and Its Numbers lesson in CheckyReading a game
Ink moves first, so the moves of a game simply alternate: Ink, Pink, Ink, Pink. Books often number each pair, so the start of the Orthodox opening looks like this:
1. 11-15 23-19
2. 8-11 22-17
That’s Ink 11-15, Pink 23-19, Ink 8-11, Pink 22-17. Try playing it:
Computer files of checkers games use the same notation. The usual format is called PDN, Portable Draughts Notation.
On Checky you can turn the square numbers on or off in Settings. They’re worth keeping on while you learn: every lesson, opening and puzzle uses them. Play a game with the numbers on.
Questions people ask
What does 11-15 mean in checkers?
The piece on square 11 moves to square 15. It’s Ink’s most trusted first move, called Old Faithful.
What does the x mean in checkers notation?
A jump. 15x22 means the piece on 15 jumps an enemy piece and lands on 22.
How are checkers squares numbered?
The 32 dark squares are numbered 1 to 32, row by row, starting from Ink’s (or Black’s) back row. Ink’s men start on 1 to 12 and Pink’s on 21 to 32.
What is PDN?
Portable Draughts Notation, the standard file format for checkers games. It uses the same numbered moves.
