How to Move the Pieces in Chinese Checkers

Chinese checkers, despite its name, was invented in its current star-shaped form in Germany in 1892. Beginners can learn how to play this game easily. Before you know it, you will move the pieces around the board like a pro.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Chinese checkers set

1. Arrange the pieces on the board. In modern versions of the board, you will place 10 pieces in the holes in your triangle of the star, while your opponent across the board does the same. Usually the pieces consist of pegs or marbles.

2. Flip a coin to see who will play first.

3. Move a piece into an adjacent hole. The move must be to a hole on the diagonal from the original not straight across the longer distance to a hole. You can only move one hole at a time.

4. Let your opponent move his piece next. Continue to alternate moves in Chinese checkers.

5. Jump over your opponent's pieces when they come near but don't capture them as in regular checkers. You just leapfrog over them. If you can jump over two or more of your opponent's pieces during a turn, you can advance your pieces across the board more quickly.

6. Keep moving across the board during play. When your piece is out in the open, it can move in any of six directions possible. However, it's best to keep moving forward until all 10 are in the opponent's triangle.

Tips & Warnings

• Pieces are never removed from the board during Chinese checkers, so beginners should beware of anyone who tells them otherwise. All 10 continue the march toward the opposing triangle.