Capture when you can.
If any of your pieces can capture, you must choose a capture. You may choose between available capture routes; you do not have to take the most pieces.
A QUICK BOARD BREAK
Find the jump.
Three small positions. One capture idea at a time.
Play right here, then take it into your next game.
POSITION 1 OF 3
A jump comes first.
White to move. Tap a white piece, then its landing square.
THE IDEA
When a capture is available, you must capture. An ordinary move cannot replace it.
Find a white piece that can jump over black.
WHITE TO MOVEAMERICAN RULES
You Opponent★ = king
Now spot it in a game.
A compulsory capture. A complete double jump. A king changing direction. Try noticing the same ideas during your next game.
Play Checkers on iPhone ↗Online play is free. Optional Coach. iOS 17+.
The rule behind the jump.
Finish the route.
After jumping, continue with the same piece if another capture is available. A man that reaches the king row stops for that turn.
A king can turn back.
Men capture forward. Kings can capture forward or backward, jumping an adjacent opponent onto the empty square immediately beyond.
These are illustrated teaching positions for American checkers, also called English draughts. Other variants have different rules. See WCDF rules 1.18-1.21 (PDF).
Like a good board?
I'm Petros, the developer of Checkers for iPhone. This little practice board is a sample resource, separate from the full app.