How to Beat Your Parents at Checkers: A Kid's Guide to Winning

Learn the strategies and moves that will help kids improve their checkers game and maybe even beat mom and dad.

1. Master the Basic Rules First. Before you can win, you need to know exactly how checkers works. Regular pieces move diagonally forward one square at a time. When you jump over your opponent's piece, you capture it and remove it from the board. If you can make another jump right after, you must take it. When your piece reaches the opposite end of the board, it becomes a king and can move backward too. The goal is to capture all your opponent's pieces or block them so they can't move.
2. Control the Center of the Board. The four squares in the very center of the board are the most powerful spots. Try to get your pieces there early in the game. From the center, your pieces can move in more directions and threaten more of your opponent's pieces. Don't rush all your pieces forward at once though - keep some back to protect each other. Think of it like building a fortress that can also attack.
3. Keep Your Back Row Protected. Don't move the pieces in your back row unless you absolutely have to. These pieces act like goalies, protecting you from your opponent's pieces that might break through. If you move them too early, you create weak spots that your parents can exploit. A good rule is to keep at least two pieces on your back row until the middle of the game.
4. Force Jumps to Your Advantage. Remember that in checkers, if someone can make a jump, they have to make it. You can use this rule to set traps. Position your pieces so that when your parent jumps over one of them, they'll land in a spot where you can jump them back. This is called a sacrifice play, and it's one of the sneakiest ways to win.
5. Create and Use King Pieces. Kings are much more powerful than regular pieces because they can move backward. Try to get your pieces to the opposite end safely by protecting them with other pieces. Once you have a king, use it to attack from behind while your regular pieces attack from the front. If you can get two or three kings while your opponent has none, you'll have a huge advantage.
6. Think Several Moves Ahead. Before you move any piece, ask yourself: 'What will happen after I move here?' Try to picture your parent's next move, then your move after that. Good checkers players think at least three moves ahead. If you see that your move will let your parent capture two of your pieces, find a different move. Take your time - there's no rush.
7. Watch for Common Mistakes. Many players make the same errors over and over. Don't leave single pieces where they can be easily captured. Don't create big gaps in your formation that let opponents break through. And don't focus so much on attacking that you forget to defend. Stay patient and wait for your parent to make a mistake, then take advantage of it.