How to Play Checkers on 247 Checkers: Setup, Moves, Captures, and Kings

Updated

To start a game on 247checkers.com, open the site and click Play, then choose one of four modes: 1 Player (vs. the computer), 2 Player (local), Play Online, or Daily Challenge. For a first game, pick 1 Player, select a difficulty (Easy, Medium, Hard, or Expert), and choose your piece color on the settings screen. Black moves first by default, so select black if you want the opening move. The game is described as free and requiring no sign-in.

Before You Start: The Basics

Checkers is played by two sides, each with twelve round pieces—one side red, one side black—on an 8x8 board with alternating colored squares. All 24 pieces start on the board. You win by either:

  • Capturing all of your opponent's pieces, or
  • Leaving them with no legal move on their turn.

Players alternate turns, and the black pieces normally move first—this is the default on 247 Checkers.

Setting Up a Game

  1. Load the 247checkers.com page and click Play.
  2. Choose a mode:
    • 1 Player — a match against the computer.
    • 2 Player — two people on the same device.
    • Play Online — a game against another player online.
    • Daily Challenge — the site's daily puzzle-style game.
  3. For 1 Player, scroll through the difficulty options with the arrows and pick Easy, Medium, Hard, or Expert. The site recommends Easy for anyone who has never played checkers before.
  4. On the quick settings screen, select which color you will play. If you want the first move, choose black.

Expected result: the board loads with all 24 pieces in starting position and your chosen side ready to move.

Making a Move

On your turn, move one of your pieces diagonally forward to an adjacent empty dark square. Pieces move one square at a time and cannot move backward until they are kings. Turns alternate, so after your move the computer or opponent responds.

Capturing Pieces

A capture happens when an opposing piece sits next to yours with an empty square directly beyond it. Jump over that piece to the empty square; the jumped piece is removed from the board. If, after landing, another capture is available, you continue jumping with the same piece in the same turn—this is a multiple capture. Plan these chains ahead, since a single turn can remove several opposing pieces.

Turning a Piece Into a King

When one of your pieces reaches the far edge of the board (the opponent's back row), it is kinged. Kings can move and capture both forward and backward diagonally, which makes them far more dangerous than regular pieces. Getting a piece to the far row is often the fastest way to swing a close game.

Quick Reference

Situation What to do
First game, unsure of rules 1 Player → Easy
Want the first move Choose black pieces
Opponent's piece is adjacent with an empty square beyond Jump it to capture
Another jump is available after landing Keep jumping in the same turn
Your piece reaches the far row It becomes a king and can move backward

Common Stops

  • Can't move at all: if you have no legal move on your turn, you lose—keep pieces spread so you always have an option.
  • Missing a capture: captures are not optional in standard checkers; if a jump is available, take it rather than making a quiet move.
  • Losing pieces early: avoid leaving pieces directly in front of an opponent's jump; trade only when it benefits your position.

Once you can set up a game, move, capture, and king a piece, you have everything needed to finish a full match on 247 Checkers.