How to Do a Super Jump in Chinese Checkers

Originally entitled Stern-Halma, Chinese checkers is a deceptively simple game that requires both strategy and patience to win. One of the key strategies Chinese checkers players use is the Super Jump, a straight-forward maneuver that can move a marble across the entire space of the checkerboard. To implement the Super Jump, you'll need to carefully position your marbles so they reach from your base into your opponent's.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Open the game with a few aggressive, but manageable moves. Your initial strategy must be to create a chain of your marbles stretching outward from your side of the board.

2. Wait until both you and your opponent have developed your marble structures before looking for the Super Jump.

3. Look for a marble chain at least three marbles long. You need to be able to reach each marble in the chain with only one jump, so they must be close together.

4. Pick up the marble you want to move and jump the other marbles in the chain. Make sure your marble continues toward your opponent's base and not toward the board's other points.

5. Drop your marble at the end of the chain to complete the Super Jump. Ideally, this leaves your marble in the front rows of your opponent's home base.

6. Continue to use the marble chain as long as it's open. Each game of Chinese checkers can produce many Super Jumps, so keep looking for open moves.

Tips & Warnings

• Be careful not to create a long marble chain if your opponent can use it before you can. The Super Jump often makes the jumped chain of marbles unusable, so make sure it helps you first.