Home >> Games & Cards >> Board Games

Techniques to Win Checkers

Don't be deceived by the apparent simplicity of checkers. You can learn the rules of the game quickly, but winning consistently is not so easy. You need to learn some of the techniques that make checkers such a fascinating and often complex board game. In this respect, checkers is like chess: your techniques are all-important.

Goals
- Make each move with both short-term and long-term goals in mind. This is possibly the most important checkers technique. When you have goals, you move your pieces with purpose. Every move you make matters.
Plan
- Think carefully before making a capture, including a double or a triple capture. Establish what position you'll be in after the capture. Work out how this new position will benefit you. In other words, plan ahead.
Strategic Sacrifice
- Sacrifice one of your pieces if the overall effect is beneficial. Sacrificing a piece, for example, may enable you to take two or more of your opponent's pieces.
Block
- Block your opponent. Use blocking to keep your opponent from creating a king for as long as you can. The longer an opponent plays without a king, the better for you. Also think about ways you can block your opponent anywhere on the board. Once again, plan ahead.
Control the Center
- Never allow your opponent to block you in the middle of the board. You may soon find yourself unable to move --- and you'll lose the game. Instead, control the board's center. Pieces in the middle have more options for movement than those you have around the edges.
Centralize Kings
- Aim to keep your kings in the center. Centralized kings can command the board.
Force Moves
- Force your opponent's moves. This isn't easy but such a technique can certainly win games for you. Study your opponent's moves. Don't wait for your opponent to make an error. Position your pieces in a way that forces your opponent to make the move you want.
Review
- Become more proficient at forcing your opponent's moves by reviewing your recent games. Ask yourself where you went wrong or where you succeeded. Ensure you learn something from each game. Improve your method of analysis by splitting each game into three parts: the opening game, the middle game and the end game. In the opening game, you prepare for conflict. In the middle game, you engage in conflict. In the end game, you and your opponent resolve the conflict.
Read and Study
- Read books by the master players. Study their games and strategies. Try their techniques for yourself. By learning from the experts, you'll become a hard player to beat.

Board Games