Welcome to Checkers

A real classic, the first references to a checkers game can be found as early as 1600 BC in Egyptian paintings and inscriptions at the time of the Pharaohs. Back then a 5x5 checkered board was common. Around 1100 a Frenchman got the idea of playing the game on a chess board. This meant expanding the number of pieces to 12 on a side. Today there are many versions of checkers played all over the world!

The object in the checkers game is either to capture all of your opponent's pieces or to blockade them. If neither player can accomplish this, the game is considered a draw.

In England and Scotland checkers are called draughts (pronounced as drafts). Other popular versions of checkers include German or Russian checkers, called Damki or Shashki respectively, which are played by slightly different rules. A popular form of the game, international draughts, is played on a 10x10 board with 20 pieces on each side! TrayGames Checkers plays by the American rules, also known as Straight Checkers. You can check out the How to play section for more details on game play.