Checkers (Cont.)

Checkers Strategies and Tips

Try these strategies and tips to improve your Checkers game:

Don't start out with the sole idea of trading pieces as quickly as possible. Trade only when you can win a positional advantage (for example, trade pieces if it helps you open a path toward the King Row).

The weakest sector in your half of the board is the one with the "Double Corner" (the corner with two playing squares instead of one). This is also your opponent's weakest point. The first Kings are usually crowned here.

You'll command the board if you can place your pieces on the center squares (the two immediately in front of your lines and the two immediately in front of them).

Once you've occupied the center squares with your pieces, try to exchange in the direction of your opponent's Double Corner.

Consolidate your pieces as you advance. A wedge-shaped formation gives you the most security and the most punching power. As you advance each checker, follow it up with a checker from the line behind.

Attack as hard as you can when you see large gaps and straggling men in your opponent's position.
The best defense is almost always to try to force an exchange of men. This lessens the attacker's power.

Never keep all four men on your back row -- you'll find yourself outgunned everywhere else! Keep two men there, preferably one in the Double Corner and one two squares away.

Always ask yourself: "Where will I land if I jump?" and "Will that leave my opponent with an opening?"

Look closely. Sometimes by offering one man, you can capture two!

Don't move to the sides! A piece on the "rim" has had its reach cut in half. This is a typical beginner's error.

In the endgame, you must keep your checkers out of the reach of any enemy Kings, and you must push them through to the King Row.

Endgames are often won or lost by who has "the move"—in other words, by who moves LAST. Generally, the player moving last will win. If your opponent has "the move," you can take that advantage away from him or her by forcing a one-for-one exchange.

In the endgame, one King against one King is a draw (if one can take shelter in a Double Corner). Two Kings against one King is usually a win for the majority side, but three Kings against two Kings is often a draw -- provided the minority side can place one King in each Double Corner.

If you have two Kings against three Kings, avoid a one-for-one exchange—you have a good chance to draw with two against three, but not much chance at all with one against two!



-- More additional Checkers Strategies & Tips coming up next.