Checkers tips: breaking down common mistakes

[@stephengoobic7211]

I see a number of my recent mistakes in your examples. Thanks for the solid advice!

[@azcheckers]

That's great to hear, I appreciate the feedback! Hopefully my other videos will help you as well!

[@alexkendall9809]

Immensely helpful tips on central control! I have struggled with this, coming from chess. You can control and strongly influence the centre in chess without occupying it, I naively approaches checkers in the same way but you have opened my eyes :) thank you!

[@azcheckers]

Hi Alex! Thank you very much for this feedback. Yes, the concept of controlling the center of the board within both games are similar, but there are certainly some key differences. As in chess too, sometimes a subtle flanking attack is the best route to take -- it's all about evaluating what is best for the position at hand. I hope you'll enjoy some of my other array of videos as well!

[@hellopleychess3190]

that's because you didn't understand the point in chess and checkers it is the same. in chess in the center you restrict more and have more possibilities for yourself. but the drawback of being close to your opponent is, that he can attack you quicker, especially with his pawns. thus early advances into the center can be pushed back. it's short-term thinking vs long-term thinking. in checkers, you also restrict more and have more possibilities in the center. but again, there's drawbacks, as he mentioned, you can be forced to exchange. and the point of guarding the central squares is mostly, that you can have a stable hotspot which you can get into and be defended, also to prevent the opponent from going there, as I said, restricting him

[@BigLewBBQ]

Another great video. At the 5:06 mark you mentioned “Apex piece”. That was really helpful because you gave me a name to which to refer to it. I knew it was important but having a name helps me consider it. Around the 3:20 mark you mentioned that jumps are mandatory. Of course they are now. When I was kid, we played with the huff rule. Of course in those days with little understanding of the game we saw it as a punishment for overlooking a capture. When I was in my late teens or early twenties (circa 1990) I found out that the rule was eliminated during the WWII era. However, a more experienced gamesman, unlike a child who views the the huff as punishment, would use the archaic rule as a strategic advantage to either avoid multiple losses or ease play in a restricted or crowded area of the board. Now in the age of computer calculations, when American Checkers / English Draughts game has been weakly solved by a computer to a dead draw, does the abolition of the huff rule still make checkers a better game. Why is the game as it is now with mandatory jumps with out the huff, a better game than the old fashioned one in which a player had the option to jump or allow the checker to be removed?

[@azcheckers]

Ah, the huff rule. From what understand, it was hotly debated half a century ago, and really came to a end after WWII, as you mentioned. Willie Ryan talks at great length in support of the huff rule in his Modern Encyclopedia of Checkers. He advocates that the huff rule is akin to making any other mistake while playing the game, and therefore, a mistake should be punished as such. Andrew Anderson, one of the early pioneers of the game, in his rulebook was a staunch advocate of the huff rule as well. Ryan makes a point of saying that the huff rule was never applicable in world championship play, as those top tier players never missed a jump. It was more in effect for the "lower" level players, and he says those players were instrumental in barring the huff rule from tournament and even recreational play. For me personally, I see missing a jump as a mere oversight, and nothing intentional. I've been playing tournament checkers for 20 years, and I have yet to witness such actions. Thanks again for your comments -- I always enjoy all things history, and especially checkers history!

[@tonymaurice4157]

@@azcheckers what do you think of zamma game?

[@tracylezotte4605]

I'll come back to u when I'm more experienced. I'm a little rusty. But it's definitely a huge advantage to learn what u have to offer! 😊

[@rednibcoding3412]

Very helpful. Please keep making such nice beginner videos. Openings, midgame strategies and endgame would be nice. How to come up with ideas what to do after the opening and so on. That's the hardest part. As as a beginner, after the opening you running out of ideas and you don't know what to do or what to aim for.

[@azcheckers]

Thank you very much for the feedback! Opening ideas and themes are covered in published play, and there are a number of books dedicated to opening, mid game, and end game strategies. I highly recommend checking out Bob Newell's Checker Maven site here: www.bobnewell.net/checkers/checkerbooks.html and www.bobnewell.net/checkers/paskpdf.html Lee's Guide was one of my first checkers books, and it covers popular openings through the end game. I plan on going more granular into openings, as this is feedback I receive quite a bit.

[@rednibcoding3412]

@@azcheckers Thank you for your detailed answer. I will get a closer look at these books and i am looking forward to your upcoming videos about openings.

[@azcheckers]

@@rednibcoding3412 You are welcome, and I'm more than happy to recommend different books and openings to study.

[@OToole2.0]

This was great. So helpful and so fun! Thanks.

[@jollygrapefruit786]

Checkers has been surprisingly harder for me to learn over chess when it comes to overall strategy. When playing times matches it's pretty brutal, I find myself getting destroyed so much more drastically then in chess.

[@shabirpk]

its actually really easy

[@milkywaffle5985]

@@shabirpkAgreed played chess and fount myself lost cant see visions like chckers

[@azcheckers]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts, and I have heard similar sentiments. Checkers can be brutal, especially at the highest level in which one false or weak move can spell certain disaster. Every single move is critical, and you commit to a plan with each turn (no takebacks!).

[@switbeee1364]

Thanks, once again. I am wondering. Which one matters the most between keeping your back row tight and maintaining the centre squares?

[@azcheckers]

Great question, and the answer is really going to be circumstantial pending on what your opponent is giving or not giving you. I would say center control is probably theoretically better, but developing your back row toward the center goes hand in hand. I do have a video dedicated to the subject of the back row: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJmxqpiBe52YbaM When discussing this topic with beginning players, I always suggest moving pieces from your back row that make you feel most comfortable. I highlight how developing the single corner back row (4) is recommended, along with (2) to form a bridge, which can make endings challenging for your opponent. Hope this helps!

[@vitalsigns6403]

Excellent Series! Where did you get your board? Very nice! Thank you!

[@azcheckers]

Thank you very much! The board I'm using in this video is an official WCDF board. A very similar board and pieces can be purchased from the ACF store at usacheckers.com.

[@vitalsigns6403]

@@azcheckers ok does your AC/DC board fold? Is it made of wood or cardboard? Thx again!

[@azcheckers]

@@vitalsigns6403 Indeed it does fold! It's made out of a plastic material. I believe the boards you can find on the ACF site include both plastic and wood.

[@vitalsigns6403]

@@azcheckers ok thank you!

[@vitalsigns6403]

@@azcheckers ok last question - do you use the 1 1/4” or 1 1/2” checkers? Do you prefer one size over another?

[@dumptonpark]

Thanks for sharing these tactics.

[@azcheckers]

You're welcome! Hopefully this video has helped your game!

[@thewierdragonbaby4843]

Question: in checkers, is it possible to capture a piece to get to the end row and become a king, then make another capture backwards in the same turn? I've gotten information from multiple checkers websites and some allow you to capture backwards in the same turn as becoming a king, whereas some say in their rules that you have to wait one turn after kinging before you can start capturing backwards

[@azcheckers]

Not in this game. There are variants of checkers in which that is the case. I made a video in which I discuss several other variants -- I believe in either Russian or Brazilian, your piece continues onward as a king once it captures through the king row.

[@spoletosposi]

Hi, great video, I would like to know where I can buy the chessboard and tokens you use in the video. Thank you

[@azcheckers]

Hello! A very similar board and piece set can be purchased on the ACF store website here: www.usacheckers.com/store/?cat_id=4

[@ijohnny.]

Thanks for these videos, I really ebnjoy learning! I was under the impression--from playing online checkers, which I always lose--that you cannot jump backwards without a king?

[@azcheckers]

Thank you for the feedback! You are correct -- a piece cannot jump backwards unless it is a king. There are variations of checkers played throughout the world in which a piece can jump backwards. But in English checkers / draughts, a piece that is not a king cannot jump backward. Hopefully by watching these videos you will begin winning your online checkers games!

[@dmm.8205]

@@azcheckers hi mate, do you play checkers online? What site or app do you recommend to play online? Thanks for your interesting lessons

[@azcheckers]

@@dmm.8205 Thank you! I do occasionally play online -- I like and recommend the website playok.com but I've heard good things about flyordie.com as well. itsyourturn and goldtoken are also good as turn-based websites. Hope that helps!

[@dmm.8205]

@@azcheckers thanks for the information.I suppose you have a master level online.

[@azcheckers]

@@dmm.8205 I am not sure if there are "master" levels in online play. When I play online, it's usually with my tournament friends. We enjoy helping each other improve, along with finding new and interesting ways to play certain lines. Checkers should be fun, especially when playing online!

[@quillablack1549]

Thank you for your video, i'm a very basic player playing online with others unknown. my question is that i'm noticing although they can jump me, it is ignored and they keep on playing. I thought you had to jump another no matter what . could you please explain ? I do hear you say jumps are mandatory !

[@azcheckers]

You are correct -- jumping is mandatory and is an official rule! I have heard that some checkers apps available today do not reflect that rule, however.

[@bertrodgers2420]

This board looks great, where can one purchase it from?

[@azcheckers]

There are similar boards that can be purchased at usacheckers.com.

[@bertrodgers2420]

@@azcheckers lovely, thank you. Vague question, but as an absolute beginner, where do you think I should start? Is there a set of videos on your channel that will help? A lot of the stuff I've been learning recently assumes a level of knowledge I don't yet have :( Thanks

[@azcheckers]

@@bertrodgers2420 Thank you! I do have a "For Beginners" playlist on this channel that should hopefully serve as a strong starting point. I also recommend Bob Newell's Checker Maven (specifically the Richard Pask publications page). It is generally pretty tough to find pure beginner material, so don't feel too discouraged!

[@scottt3022]

How would that last nice win the game, he still has two pieces left?

[@azcheckers]

True, but you have three pieces left and will be able to win the 3 vs. 2 ending!

[@monkeychicken27]

I’ve won as white here, tripping up red as well as being lucky on actual placement for 1v1

[@azcheckers]

​@@monkeychicken27 Yes, it can be easy to let your guard down after you are a piece ahead. If that happens, then it's possible to draw or even win in your case after being at a disadvantage initially. It's important to never take any moves off!

[@pietro2866]

Thank you! really usefull expecially for what concerns center control!

[@azcheckers]

You're welcome -- I hope you enjoyed this video and see why controlling the center of the board is an important strategic concept!

[@KofyiGyampoh]

@@azcheckers hi. Could you be kind enough to give me some tutorials on playing 10x10 boards

[@azcheckers]

@@KofyiGyampoh Hello! I only cover 8x8 English checkers / draughts on this channel. However, I know there are many 10x10 channels you will likely enjoy!

[@mochno1]

6:00 why winning a game? It is draw, they will have all 3-2 kings (i am not sure if more kings = win)

[@azcheckers]

Correct, in this game (English checkers / draughts), 3 pieces vs. 2 (3 kings vs. 2 kings) will always win in an open position as you can see in the video.

[@badgenius89000]

It really helped me ty.

[@azcheckers]

That's great, thank you!

[@alejandrotorres8586]

Why the last expample is a win?

[@athanasalois4714]

How can i get a board for practicing

[@azcheckers]

Many retail stores still sell checker sets. A similar board to what I have in the video can be purchased at usacheckers.com.

[@andrewdelve7494]

When making a capture can you move forward and backwards if 2/3 are available?

[@azcheckers]

Only as a king. A regular piece can only jump forward. Hope that clarifies!

[@PhillipCreeper]

How many pieces in your back row should you leave to prevent opponents froom getting a king?

[@PhillipCreeper]

Never mind. I found your video on it. Thank you.

[@azcheckers]

​@@PhillipCreeper You got it, and I'm glad you found the video dedicated to the back row! It's a really good question -- but yes, moving the pieces 4 and 2 from red and 29 and 31 from white is generally best, as this allows you to keep a bridge in the end game. Developing 4 early (or 29) is typically best as well. There are always exceptions, though!

[@ravin1987]

In the last scenario how did the red win with white having 2 pieces left? Please clarify

[@azcheckers]

In an open position like this, 3 vs. 2 will win every time!

[@ravin1987]

@@azcheckers thanks for the clarification...didn't know that rule

[@azcheckers]

@@ravin1987 I have a couple end game videos that also show how to complete the win -- one with 3 kings vs. 2 kings in opposite double corners, and 3 kings vs. 2 kings in the same double corner. Hopefully that will help!

[@ravin1987]

@@azcheckers Thanks. That help a lot

[@BunnyBUNGALO]

Jumps are mandatory? The app i have doesn't make me jump. What app do you recommend?

[@AbduliMaulidi]

Chess & checkers or Dalmax checkers

[@ThatChannelOfHers]

This guy's cracked Thank you checker man

[@azcheckers]

Thank you!

[@justanobservation9350]

Just what I was looking for, thanks

[@azcheckers]

Great! Thank you for watching!

[@bryanpena7268]

The best advice I was ever given on checkers was to mimic your opponents move. You want to mirror each play they do. Ideally the goal is to force your opponent to make their move

[@nunorodrigues9781]

opening games, middle game and end games are important to control the center?

[@azcheckers]

Correct! It's most important in the opening and middle. The ending is circumstantial, but generally yes, it is always important to control the center.

[@nunorodrigues9781]

@@azcheckers Thank you!

[@nunorodrigues9781]

Very instructive! Thank you

[@azcheckers]

I appreciate it!

[@johnnyhunt8036]

I have a question about time and tempo. How does these two elements affect the game? I've heard you talk about tempo in some of your videos. I think there's something I may be missing or not understanding. Thanks in advance.

[@azcheckers]

Hey Johnny! Great to see you on here and I hope you are well! Missed you at the recent Southeastern tournament! Time and tempo are very important elements in checkers. Tempo I think is best explained by taking the initiative in a game. For example, advancing toward the center without any delay that would otherwise allow your opponents to capture the center. Sometimes waiting moves, moves that maybe don't advance toward the center but are geared toward a longer vision or tactical play, can also be considered good tempo moves (think in-and-out shot).

[@johnnyhunt8036]

@@azcheckers thank you Ryan for your response. I hate i missed the tournament. I really enjoy playing and playing in tournaments. I'm not a master player but want to become one. I have watched several of your videos and I find them informative. I don't see the board well enough to find all of those hidden shots. Would you say that Bolands end game book is one of the best books to study for board visualization? I know you're busy so just when you have time to respond. Again thank you for your response. Johnny

[@azcheckers]

​@@johnnyhunt8036 Absolutely, Johnny! It's a great ambition and goal to have, and I think you can do it! As for board visualization -- you can't go wrong with anything by Boland or Gould's problem book. For Boland, I recommend his Familiar Themes book as a great compilation to further develop an understanding of end game problems and ideas. Hope this helps!

[@johnnyhunt8036]

@@azcheckers Ryan thank you again. Any advice helps.

[@azcheckers]

​@@johnnyhunt8036 Of course, Johnny! I haven't been playing as much online, but the next time you are online, let me know and I'll try to get on and we can play!

[@holahola-gp6vd]

Very good video I'm a professional chess player and absolutely feel in love with checkers.

[@azcheckers]

Thank you, and that's great to hear! Both are enjoyable games!

[@santaanzo7265]

how will i do dis i play against computers

[@azcheckers]

These ideas may work against computers as well!

[@irukanoky8941]

Great tips. Thanks

[@azcheckers]

Thank you!

[@criticaloptimist7961]

This is very helpful! Thanks!

[@azcheckers]

Thank you very much! I also have a "For Beginner's" playlist (this video is included) that should hopefully help you and your son, too!

[@PROFESSOR-lj9sz]

Very helpful brother😍

[@azcheckers]

Thanks for the feedback -- glad you found this video helpful!

[@channel786star8]

This kindda work on my bff, but he know i was wacthing this and thanks for the tips.

[@azcheckers]

Ah, understood! You can take these ideas and put them into practice with other opening moves, but your bff might try and do the same! That's where creativity comes into play with this great game!

[@asadabbas2724]

I want to win every game in checkers can u plzz tell me the basics

[@azcheckers]

My videos have you covered! Keep watching, and although I cannot promise you will win every game, you will definitely learn the basics!

[@asadabbas2724]

@@azcheckers Ok

[@abdulmalikrufai2837]

Can you show us how to stop Double Connor open, Next video

[@azcheckers]

Thank you for your comment. Are you interested in learning the best attacks against 9-14? Is there a particular opening sequence you would like to see?

[@abdulmalikrufai2837]

azcheckers yes please

[@azcheckers]

@@abdulmalikrufai2837 OK very good. My next video (publishing tomorrow) is focusing on setting opening traps, including one from the double corner opening. In a near future video, I will show good attacks against the double corner. Thanks for watching!

[@abdulmalikrufai2837]

azcheckers Appreciate boas

[@vxnFloppa]

holy crap checkers just snapped in my head for me

[@azcheckers]

I hope it was a good snap!

[@pathfindr3700]

Nicely described.

[@azcheckers]

Thank you!

[@lastnameroman]

Didn’t you make a mistake at 3:07 ? I believe you picked up the wrong red checkers.

[@هيلة-ع8م]

Why would red win the game? 1:27

[@هيلة-ع8م]

Ok i see it lol

[@azcheckers]

Great -- sometimes it can take a while to visualize positions!

[@Leqasta]

Amazing video! I won against my brother thank you 😅

[@azcheckers]

Congratulations! That is great to hear and hope you keep up the good work!

[@pedroa.4033]

I love your videos

[@azcheckers]

Thank you very much!

[@chrisc9993]

Not everyone plays forced capture

[@azcheckers]

True, but it's an official rule in all variants of checkers!

[@Friedrichsen]

Thank you!

[@pogingmakai6398]

please i want to buy that type of chips, help me

[@azcheckers]

You are purchase a similar set online at usacheckers.com.

[@JEAGERlST]

I demolished my opponent right after I watched this video

[@azcheckers]

Congrats! I'm glad you found this video helpful.

[@joxnjoxn399]

Checkers is nothing to sneeze at. Wonderful game

[@azcheckers]

I agree!

[@JFar-jf6qq]

I get hungry watching your videos....your colors look like summer sausage and swiss cheese....

[@azcheckers]

Ha!!! Indeed they do!

[@zedtech6252]

Nice 👍 one

[@azcheckers]

Thank you!

[@marfehassan8345]

I like this

[@Roeclean]

I feel smarter. Now I'm gonna go pkay Checkers Clash

[@DorianPaige00]

no force jump

[@azcheckers]

I don't believe there is any official checkers variant that has this rule!

[@PROTONMAIL-h6z]

Eu assistindo em 2024, existe algum livro que eu possa estudar para desenvolver melhor meu jogo?

[@azcheckers]

Indeed! I recommend checking out Bob Newell's Checker Maven. There you can find the Richard Pask publication area, and there are many book PDFs that will help your game!

[@prakashdeori6700]

Moves were too fast. I could keep up. Try showing the moves slowly.

[@azcheckers]

I appreciate the feedback -- in a lot of my earlier videos (published late in 2019 or early 2020), I do move fast, but I slow down in my later videos. As a solution, I recommend changing the setting to reduce the speed -- this is functionality that KZbin provides.

[@PROMINENCEOFFICIAL-tk5bz]

3:57

[@SoMooLand1nine7]

Tsk so I've been making all this mistakes to beat em so called advance online player 😭😭

[@azcheckers]

That's great to hear!

[@p6mkq]

Most of the time your tips are vague. Why do you you consider tiles on the far right and far left useless ?!

[@azcheckers]

Generally speaking, it is better to advance and take the center of the board. It's a fundamental strategic concept in checkers.

[@p6mkq]

@@azcheckers cardgames.io/checkers/ Well, I lose all the time playing on this site.

[@p6mkq]

@@azcheckers It all comes down to behind ahead on trades, does it not ?

[@p6mkq]

@@azcheckers I respect you as a champion and as a wise player.

[@p6mkq]

These strategies are not working for me...

[@azcheckers]

As long as your playing opponents similar to your skill level, these basic strategies should help. Stay patient -- it's very difficult to see progress under one year of serious playing / studying.

[@lucasadam65]

7

[@estelitacuevas5375]

Jaa

[@azcheckers]

Thanks for watching!

[@RestingCatNipFace]

Great video thanks

[@azcheckers]

Thank you!