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How to play
These are the American rules. The other rule sets change a few of them, shown below.
- Move diagonally forward, one square at a time, on the dark squares.
- Jump to take. Hop over an opponent's piece next to yours, onto the empty square beyond. The piece you jumped is removed.
- Jumps are required. If you can take, you must. Every piece that has to jump is ringed in yellow.
- Keep jumping while you can. A multi-jump is one move. When it can go more than one way, you pick the path.
- Reach the far row and you're crowned. A king moves and jumps backward as well as forward. A man crowned by a jump stops there for that turn.
- Win by taking all your opponent's pieces or leaving them with no move. A game can also be drawn.
Rule sets
Pick the rule set when you start a game. Each one has its own rating.
| Rule set | Men jump back | Kings | Must take the most | Played in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American | No | One square | No | US, UK and Ireland |
| Russian | Yes | Flying | No | Russia, Ukraine, the CIS and Israel |
| Brazilian | Yes | Flying | Yes | Brazil |
| Pool | Yes | Flying | No | Southeastern US and Puerto Rico |
A flying king moves any number of empty squares along a diagonal. It can take a piece from a distance and land on any empty square beyond it.
Where you don't have to take the most pieces, you can pick any jump, but you must finish the whole chain.
In Russian rules, a man that reaches the far row in the middle of a jump is crowned at once and keeps jumping as a king.
International 10x10 and Spanish rules are coming in the first update.
Draws
A game is drawn when both players agree, or when the rules say so.
- By agreement. Offer a draw after your move. Your opponent can accept or play on.
- By repetition. The same position comes up for the third time.
- By the no-progress rule. In American checkers: 40 moves each with no man moved and no piece taken. In Russian checkers: 15 moves in which only kings move and nothing is taken, with extra limits in some endings.
Before a draw by rule, a counter appears on the board, so you have time to change course:
Draw in 6 moves unless a man moves or a piece is taken
Under tournament rules a player has to claim these draws. Checkers Byte applies them for you, and always warns you first.
AI levels
| Level | Plays like |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Knows the rules. Still learning to look ahead. |
| Level 2 | Takes whatever you leave hanging. |
| Level 3 | Solid. Sets up simple shots. |
| Level 4 | Plans several moves out. |
| Level 5 | Our strongest. Tough in the endgame. |
The AI plays every rule set, and it works offline.
Common questions
Playing checkers
Which rule set should I pick?
The one you learned. In the US, UK and Ireland that's usually American. Pick Russian if you learned in Russia, Ukraine or nearby, Brazilian if you learned in Brazil, and Pool if you learned in the southern US or Puerto Rico. The rule set table shows how they differ.
Why do I have to jump?
Taking is required in every rule set here. If any of your pieces can jump, you must jump with one of them. Each piece that can is ringed in yellow, so you never lose a game to a jump you didn't see.
How do I choose the path of a multi-jump?
A multi-jump is one move: you keep jumping until there's nothing left to take. When the chain can go more than one way, the board shows each way and you pick the one you want. In American, Russian and Pool rules you can choose any path, as long as you finish it. In Brazilian rules you must take the most pieces, so only the longest paths are offered.
When is a game drawn?
When both players agree, when the same position comes up a third time, or under the no-progress rule. A counter shows on the board before a draw by rule. See Draws above.
Playing friends
How do games with friends work?
Two ways. Over days: move whenever it suits you, with 24 hours for each move, and we'll tell you when it's your turn. Live: you're both on the board at once, with 30 seconds a move. Start either from your friends list or by sharing an invite link. The apps and the browser game play each other.
A friend sent me an invite link. What do I do?
Open it on any device. On a phone with Checkers Byte installed it opens the app. Anywhere else you can accept it in the browser game straight away, or install the app and open the link again.
My friend hasn't moved in days.
Each move in a game over days has a 24-hour limit. We remind your friend before it runs out. If it does, the game ends and the player who ran out of time loses.
What if I run out of time in a Live game?
A safe move is played for you and the game goes on. Run out of time three turns in a row and you lose the game.
I'm not getting notifications.
Check that notifications for Checkers Byte are allowed in your phone's or browser's settings, and that they're switched on in the game's Settings. In a browser where notifications aren't available, turn on “your turn” emails instead. Notifications are only for your turn, invites and the daily puzzle.
Your account
Do I need an account?
No. You start as a guest and can play the AI straight away. Create an account with Apple, Google or email to play friends or use another device.
How do I keep my guest progress?
Open Account and create an account with Apple, Google or email. Your games, XP and settings move to the new account. A guest account that is never upgraded can't be recovered if you delete the app or clear your browser's data.
Can I play in a browser?
Yes, at checkersbyte.com/play on a computer, tablet or phone. It's the same game as the apps: sign in with the same account and your games, friends and progress are all there.
When will the apps be available?
We're building for iPhone, iPad and Android. Links will appear on the download page when the apps are out.
The board is slow on my phone.
Open Settings → Graphics and choose Low. It keeps every animation but draws fewer effects.
I forgot my password.
Choose “Forgot password?” on the sign-in screen. The email links to a page where you choose a new one; the link works once. Check your spam folder if it doesn't arrive.
I can't sign in.
Use the same sign-in method you used to create the account. For email sign-in, choose “Forgot password?” and check your spam folder. Apple and Google accounts have no Checkers Byte password; use the same button again.
Someone is being abusive.
Use Report on their profile or in the game. Reports are private: the other player isn't told who reported them. To stop playing with them, use Block (in the game's Report sheet or on your friends list): you won't be friends, can't challenge, invite or be matched with each other, and a game between you ends with no result. Unblock them in Account. You can also email us.
Can I get a copy of my data, or correct it?
Yes. Email [email protected] from the address on your account. We may verify that you own the account first, and normally reply within 30 days.
How do I delete my account?
In the game under Account → Delete account, or by email. See Account and data deletion below.
Account and data deletion
In the game, open Account → Delete account. Sign-in stops immediately and your account records are erased seven days later. We cannot restore data after deletion.
Also see the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Back to the home page.