Every Checkers Variant You Can Play

Checkers.now is home to eleven authentic draughts variants from around the world, each built with its real rules and its own computer opponent. Whether you grew up with the American game or want to test yourself against the 10x10 International board the champions play, it is all here and all free.

Use this page as your map. Compare the variants side by side, explore each family, and follow any name to a full board with rules, strategy and a game ready to play.

Compare the variants

VariantFamilyBoardPiecesKingsDifficulty
American Checkers Standard 8×8 12 per side Non-flying (one square) Great for beginners
International Draughts International 10×10 20 per side Flying (long-range) Deep & tactical
Russian Draughts Slavic 8×8 12 per side Flying (long-range) Fast & sharp
Brazilian Draughts Latin 8×8 12 per side Flying (long-range) Intermediate
Pool Checkers Standard 8×8 12 per side Flying (long-range) Intermediate
Italian Draughts Standard 8×8 12 per side Non-flying (one square) Precise & subtle
Spanish Draughts Latin 8×8 12 per side Flying (long-range) Traditional & tactical
Czech Draughts Slavic 8×8 12 per side Flying (long-range) Clean & quick
Canadian Checkers International 12×12 30 per side Flying (long-range) Expert
Turkish Draughts Variants 8×8 16 per side Flying like a rook (ranks and files) Distinctive
Anti-Checkers Variants 8×8 12 per side Non-flying (one square) Mind-bending

Standard checkers

American Checkers
The classic 8x8 game that came bundled with every old computer
8×8 · 12 per side
Pool Checkers
The American club favorite with flying kings and free backward captures
8×8 · 12 per side
Italian Draughts
Dama Italiana where men cannot touch kings and priority rules bite
8×8 · 12 per side

International checkers

International Draughts
The 10x10 world championship game with flying kings and maximum capture
10×10 · 20 per side
Canadian Checkers
International rules on a giant 12x12 board with 30 pieces a side
12×12 · 30 per side

Slavic checkers

Russian Draughts
Shashki on 8x8 where a man crowns mid-jump and keeps on capturing
8×8 · 12 per side
Czech Draughts
Dama with forward-only men, flying kings and king-capture priority
8×8 · 12 per side

Latin checkers

Brazilian Draughts
International rules squeezed onto an 8x8 board - the perfect bridge game
8×8 · 12 per side
Spanish Draughts
Damas with forward-only men, flying kings and a strict maximum rule
8×8 · 12 per side

Variants checkers

Turkish Draughts
Dama played straight, not diagonal - pieces move orthogonally and kings fly like rooks
8×8 · 16 per side
Anti-Checkers
Giveaway checkers where losing all your pieces is how you win
8×8 · 12 per side

Which variant is right for you?

Just learning
American Checkers has the simplest rules and the gentlest learning curve.
Want real depth
International Draughts on 10x10 is the deepest, most competitive form.
Love flying kings
Pool Checkers keeps the small board but gives kings the run of the diagonal.
Want a twist
Anti-Checkers flips the goal: get rid of all your pieces to win.

Questions about the variants

How many variants are there?

We host eleven: American, International, Russian, Brazilian, Pool, Italian, Spanish, Czech, Canadian, Turkish and Anti-Checkers. Each has its own board and rules.

Which is the most popular?

American Checkers is the most widely played casually, while International Draughts has the largest competitive following worldwide.

Which variant is hardest?

Canadian Checkers on the 12x12 board has the most pieces and the longest games, while International is the deepest to master. Turkish feels hardest at first because it moves orthogonally.

Can I play these against a friend?

Yes. Several variants support real-time online multiplayer on a shared board. Every variant can be played against the computer.