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Checkers Board Games

Checkers board games are classic games that have been enjoyed by families and friends for hundreds of years. Checkers could be looked at as a simpler version of chess. The game pieces consist of a checkered board and 24 circular game pieces which come in two different colors – 12 of each.

Unlike chess, there are very few variations of designs and themes. Almost all checkers board games have a black and red board with black and red pieces. Most boards are on an 8x8 grid, although some international versions come in 10x10 or 12x12 grids. The pieces are about an inch in diameter and have small ridges at the top and bottom for when a player is “kinged” (when a player reaches the back row on his opponent’s side the piece that reached the back row has another piece placed on top of it allowing this piece more movement then the other).

The game begins with each player’s 12 pieces on the dark spaces of the three rows closes to their own side.  To move a player may either slide a piece diagonally forward (or backward if it has been kinged) or jump over an opponent’s piece. When a piece is jumped over it removes that piece from the game. A player may only jump over their opponent if there is an empty space on the other side of the piece, directly diagonal from the starting position.

The game ends when one player has captured – or jumped – all of his opponent’s pieces. Checkers board games are simple enough for young kids to enjoy and also require enough strategy to keep more experienced game board players entertained.

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