About Checkers Canopy

Checkers Canopy is free online checkers (draughts) for two players. Jump enemy pieces, chain multi-captures, and crown kings at the far row. Play online with a friend via one shared link, match with an opponent, pass-and-play, or take on JungleBot.

How to play Checkers Canopy

Checkers Canopy is checkers (also called draughts) for two players on an 8×8 board. Your pieces move one square diagonally forward onto an empty dark square. To capture, jump diagonally over an adjacent enemy piece into the empty square just beyond it — and if another jump is available from the new square, you keep jumping in the same turn. Reach the far row and your piece is crowned a King, which can move and capture both forward and backward. You win by capturing all of your opponent's pieces or leaving them with no legal move.

Tips & strategy

• Hold your back row as long as you can — those squares stop your opponent from crowning kings.
• When you are ahead in material, trade pieces. Simplifying the board magnifies a lead.
• Control the center; pieces stuck on the edges have fewer moves and capture options.
• Set traps — offering one piece to win two in a chain jump is a classic checkers tactic.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a piece and a King?

A regular piece only moves and captures diagonally forward. Once it reaches the opponent's back row it becomes a King, gaining the ability to move and jump backward too — a major advantage.

How do multi-jumps work?

If, after a jump, the same piece can immediately jump again, it must continue in that turn. Chaining several captures in one move can swing the game in an instant.

Is it the same as international draughts?

It uses the common 8×8 American/English checkers rules, not the larger 10×10 international board.