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How to win at checkers: seven tips

Most checkers games are lost to two or three typical mistakes. Fix them and you will win noticeably more.

1. Take the centre

Squares c5, d4, e5 and f4 are the most valuable. Central pieces hold the board and get in your opponent's way.

2. Leave the back row alone

Pieces on your first row stop your opponent from crowning. The e1 piece is especially important for White.

3. Move in columns

Pieces standing one behind another cannot be jumped: there is no empty square behind them.

4. Calculate your opponent's reply

Before every move ask: could this move walk into a compulsory capture?

5. Trade when you are ahead

With more pieces, exchanges bring victory closer. With fewer, avoid them.

6. Aim for a king

One king is often stronger than three men. Crowning is the main goal of the endgame.

7. Review your games

Put the moment where things went wrong into the calculator and see how the engine plays it.

Try it on the boardCheckers analysis

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