Yes. You play right in your browser with no sign-up and no download, and there is nothing to buy.

Do you have to capture in checkers?

Yes, in both variants capturing is mandatory: if you can capture, you must, and you have to finish a capture sequence. Which capture you take is up to you.

What is the difference between German draughts and English checkers?

In German draughts pieces also capture backwards and kings move any distance. In English checkers pieces capture forwards only and kings move just one square.

Can two players play checkers on one phone?

Yes. In “Two players, one device” mode you take turns on the same phone or tablet.

Yes. A game in progress survives reloading the page. Without an account it stays in this browser; with a PanicLines account it is kept in your account along with your run, so you can carry on on any device.

Checkers Online – Play the AI or Two Players

Play checkers online for free

Checkers (draughts) is one of the oldest board games in the world: on the dark squares of an 8 × 8 board two players move their twelve pieces diagonally forward, jump over opposing pieces and capture them. Reach the far row and your piece is crowned king. You win when your opponent has no pieces or no moves left.

On PanicLines you play for free in your browser on phone, tablet and computer, with no download and no sign-up. Choose German draughts with flying kings or English checkers, and play the AI at three levels or a friend on one device.

Rules

Each side starts with twelve pieces on the dark squares of its first three rows. You take turns, and a piece moves one square diagonally forward.
Capturing is mandatory: if an opposing piece sits diagonally next to yours with a free square behind it, you must jump it. If the piece can capture again, it keeps jumping until it can't. With several options you are free to choose.
A piece that ends its move on the far row becomes a king and may move backwards too.
You win when your opponent has no pieces left or cannot move. The game is a draw after 25 king moves per side without a capture, or when the same position comes up three times. Resigning counts as a loss.

German draughts and English checkers

German draughts (default): White moves first. Pieces capture forwards and backwards. Kings fly any distance along a diagonal and capture from afar.
English checkers: Black moves first. Pieces capture forwards only, and kings move and capture just one square, but in every direction.
Pick the variant in the menu or in the settings; it applies from the next game.

Modes and AI levels

Against the AI at three levels: Easy looks one move ahead and sometimes just plays anything, Medium looks four half-moves ahead, Hard eight. The AI always calculates capture sequences to the end.
Against the AI your colour alternates by default; in the settings you can always play White or always Black.
Two players, one device: take turns, the starting player switches, and your run is counted.

Controls

Tap one of your pieces: the squares it can move to are marked. Then tap the target. In a multiple capture the piece slides from square to square and the captured pieces vanish one by one.
When you must capture, the pieces that can do so glow gold. The last move stays marked on the board.
Keyboard: Tab moves from square to square, Enter or Space selects, Esc clears the selection.
If you like, the board shows coordinates (a–h, 1–8), and “Reduce motion” turns the animations off.

Tips and strategy

Take the centre: pieces in the middle have more moves and are harder to attack than pieces on the edge.
Guard your back row: as long as your last row is occupied, your opponent can't crown a king there. Move those pieces late.
Use the forced capture: because your opponent must capture, you can offer a piece and force them into a position where you take two or three back.
Stay together: pieces that cover each other can't be jumped. Lone pieces far ahead are easy prey.
Trade when ahead: with one piece more, every exchange helps you, because the lead weighs more with fewer pieces on the board.

Frequently asked questions

Is Checkers free?: Yes. You play right in your browser with no sign-up and no download, and there is nothing to buy.
Do you have to capture in checkers?: Yes, in both variants capturing is mandatory: if you can capture, you must, and you have to finish a capture sequence. Which capture you take is up to you.
What is the difference between German draughts and English checkers?: In German draughts pieces also capture backwards and kings move any distance. In English checkers pieces capture forwards only and kings move just one square.
Can two players play checkers on one phone?: Yes. In “Two players, one device” mode you take turns on the same phone or tablet.
Is my game saved?: Yes. A game in progress survives reloading the page. Without an account it stays in this browser; with a PanicLines account it is kept in your account along with your run, so you can carry on on any device.