Mastering the Best First Move in Checkers: A Guide for Online Gamers

Whether you are just getting started with checkers, or you are an experienced player, the first move truly counts. When playing checkers, or drought, nailing the first move can help you benefit from the first mover advantage and control the board.

In this guide by 247 Checkers, we’ll look at everything you need to know, from classic opening moves to advanced strategies and tips to get started practicing your new skills. Let’s dive in!

Mastering the Basics

Checkers is a classic game, as old as time and yet still incredibly popular. The reason for such timeless success? The easy, straightforward rules of this game and the thrill of putting into practice advanced tactics.

Let’s start by looking at an overview of checkers. The first thing you'll need to know is that you’ll have in front of you an 8x8 board that hosts 12 pieces per player. Players move diagonally, aiming to capture the opponent’s pieces by jumping over them. Then, if a piece is capable of reaching the opposite end, it becomes a king, gaining the ability to move backward. These are the critical rules that set the stage for any checkers game.

However, mastering more expert techniques requires practice and knowledge, and, often, it all starts with finding the right strategy for your opening.

But why is the first move so significant? This initial step can set the tone and give you the strategic advantage of the first mover. By choosing your first move, you’ll also determine your gameplay, which can be more aggressive or defensive, giving important clues to your opponent. Ultimately, making a wise first move is critical! Let’s look at the strategies you need to know below.

Opening Strategies

Every player will have favorite opening moves and skills that have been honed and perfected through practice. However, there are some standard opening tactics that have become standard in checkers. Let’s look at these below.

Single Corner Opening

The Single Corner Opening is one of the most basic and widely used openings in checkers. It involves moving a piece from the double-corner side of the board (the side with more checkers) toward the center. With this opening, your aim is to control key central squares of the board early on. Although it can open up possibilities for taking over your opponent, this opening is typically considered defensive.

Double Corner Opening

The Double Corner Opening emphasizes early control of both corners, especially on the player’s right side, which contains more checkers. This defensive opening is designed to build a strong structure, helping you avoid unnecessary exposure to threats and protecting vital pieces. Opening spaces in the board also help you make a more aggressive first move while your important pieces are protected.

Old Faithful Opening

The Old Faithful Opening is a classic, reliable strategy favored by most players . It focuses on central control and balanced play. It involves moving the piece from the corner to the center diagonal, typically from square 11 to square 15 (if you're playing with dark pieces). This helps players establish dominance and, possibly, a more aggressive tone for the game.

Cross Opening

The Cross Opening is a strategic move that involves advancing a piece diagonally across the board early in the game. This opening is aggressive and aims to quickly establish control of the central squares. It also helps force the opponent into defensive positions.

Bristol Opening

The Bristol Opening is an aggressive opening where the player quickly moves a piece from the left or right flank into a forward position. This opening allows you to position your pieces on the board early on allowing for mobility, allowing you to control the pace of the game. However, it is more aggressive than other openings and can leave some of your pieces unprotected, making it more suited to more experienced players.

Key Moves to Remember

When starting a game of checkers, remembering key moves is critical to plan your opening and calculate your opponent’s moves ahead. These key moves and tips include:

• The player with the dark pieces moves first.
• Pieces move diagonally, one square forward per turn.
• Prioritize advancing pieces to the center to gain control of the board early on.
• Once you have a king, this piece can move both forward and backward.
• Avoid cornering your pieces to keep them mobile on the board and not stuck.
• Set up traps by positioning pieces for multiple jumps.
• Promote pieces to kings as soon as possible.
• Keep your back row intact until you have a solid plan of action to take down your opponent - or, at least, until you have a clear idea of how your opponent is playing!

Advanced Tactics

So far, we’ve covered the basics of opening your checkers game. Now, let’s look at a few advanced tactics that allow you to boost your skills and elevate your game. These include:

• Sacrifice your pieces wisely: Sometimes, giving up a piece can lure your opponent into a trap. This can cause them to lose more pieces and allow you to make more captures or position your pieces strategically.
• Force certain moves: Guide your opponent into forced moves that benefit your strategy, limiting their options.
• Practice back-rank guarding: Maintain a strategic stronghold by keeping pieces on your back row or maintaining this intact. This can prevent your opponent from promoting pieces to kings.
• Double jump setups: Position your pieces to enable back-to-back jumps, which can change the pace of the game in your favor.

Winning Checkers Moves

To win in checkers, it’s crucial to keep advancing pieces strategically. However, it’s equally important to strike the right balance between an aggressive and a defensive strategy. Be sure to understand the impact that the different opening strategies can have on the game, and learn to calculate and anticipate your opponent’s moves. This knowledge can help you set up traps and open the game for multiple captures or the strategic positioning of your pieces.

Essential Openings

If you’ve made it so far into this guide, you know by now that the right opening can make or break your game. Above, we’ve looked at some of the essential opening strategies you are likely to see when playing with a physical opponent or computer. These include the Single Corner Opening, Double Corner Opening, and Old Faithful Opening. However, of course, different variants, locations, and house rules may change what you are allowed to do on your first move.

Pro Tips for Checkers Success

To advance your checkers game, you’ll need to practice both your “soft” and technical skills. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Think ahead and try to anticipate your opponent’s next move. This allows you to plan ahead.
• Control the center of the board.
• Strike the right balance between aggressive and defensive moves.
• Use traps effectively to execute multiple captures
• Keep your pieces mobile and not trapped into a corner - but keep your back row secured to prevent the opponent from promoting pieces into kings.
• Keep an eye on your endgame!

To practice these skills, the best thing to do is to partner with more experienced components who can help you challenge your current abilities. If you are looking to get started in all flexibility, platforms like 247 Checkers should be your first port of call. These platforms allow you to practice when it is more convenient to you and from the comfort of your own computer or mobile phone. So, you can stay consistent and advance your gameplay quickly and efficiently.

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