Official Chinese Checkers Rules
How To Play Chinese Checkers
2 - 6
Players
6+
Ages
30 MIN
Play Time
$15
Price
Chinese Checkers is originally a strategy board game that may be played by 2 to 6 players. The star-shaped board for playing consists of 121 spaces. At the start of this game, every player has ten marbles at one of six points on a star, while the object is to move your marbles across the board into the opposite point. Strategy, planning, and spatial awareness combine in this board game, as each of the players tries to move his piece while trying to block or avoid the movements of his opponents.
First of all, colors are chosen, with each player's marbles going to its appropriate starting point. A player can move only one marble on his turn by either moving it to the adjacent space or by performing a hop over other marbles. The most important feature of the game is hopping, wherein a player can jump over one or more adjacent marbles to an empty space. Players can hop over their own and their opponents', which makes the game strategic.
A single hop over any marble in a straight line, either vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, can be done. Many hops can be chained into one move if each hop follows the rules. Making multiple hops is a really fast way to go and allows the game to be dynamic and competitive; however, one must be very careful not to block oneself or put one's marbles in some kind of tricky position.
The goal of the game is simple: the first player who can successfully move his or her marbles from his or her starting point to the opposite point on the board wins. In this game, the star-shaped board creates interesting paths for each player, adding the ability to hop over marbles raises the level of complexity. Players need to be very thoughtful in their moves, weighing the risk of helping opponents against trying to create opportunities for themselves.
Chinese Checkers is a thoughtful game that involves foresight and changeability. Though easily learned, it's difficult to master because players have to think a couple of steps in advance and be able to predict with accuracy the moves that fellow players are going to make. It is an enjoyable game because it is casual enough for killing time and serious enough in its competition. Whether among friends, family, or even a little more competitive, Chinese Checkers is a classic game to enjoy hours of fun.
First of all, colors are chosen, with each player's marbles going to its appropriate starting point. A player can move only one marble on his turn by either moving it to the adjacent space or by performing a hop over other marbles. The most important feature of the game is hopping, wherein a player can jump over one or more adjacent marbles to an empty space. Players can hop over their own and their opponents', which makes the game strategic.
A single hop over any marble in a straight line, either vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, can be done. Many hops can be chained into one move if each hop follows the rules. Making multiple hops is a really fast way to go and allows the game to be dynamic and competitive; however, one must be very careful not to block oneself or put one's marbles in some kind of tricky position.
The goal of the game is simple: the first player who can successfully move his or her marbles from his or her starting point to the opposite point on the board wins. In this game, the star-shaped board creates interesting paths for each player, adding the ability to hop over marbles raises the level of complexity. Players need to be very thoughtful in their moves, weighing the risk of helping opponents against trying to create opportunities for themselves.
Chinese Checkers is a thoughtful game that involves foresight and changeability. Though easily learned, it's difficult to master because players have to think a couple of steps in advance and be able to predict with accuracy the moves that fellow players are going to make. It is an enjoyable game because it is casual enough for killing time and serious enough in its competition. Whether among friends, family, or even a little more competitive, Chinese Checkers is a classic game to enjoy hours of fun.
- Gameboard
- 60 Pegs/marbles (10 Each Of 6 Different Colors)
- Official Chinese Checkers Game Rules And Instructions
To win the game of Chinese Checkers you need to be the first to move all your pegs across the board to occupy the star point directly opposite your starting point. The first player to get all their pegs across the board wins the game, Chinese Checkers.
Please keep in mind that the official Chinese Checkers PDF rules listed below could be different depending on the version you have. They should be an exact copy of what came in your original packaging. Download them to view now or print them for later use.
Share with us your comments, funny stories, tips, advice, strategies, creative ways to play, questions about playing, problems with the directions, etc. All submissions will be reviewed within 24 hours.
Harsh says:
I just want to ask if i moved the piece first in starting of game and i also wins the game but the opponent's one piece is left and only one chance is required by opponent then opponent will get the chance or not...and if you know this tie rule in checker then plz comment
09-11-2017
I just want to ask if i moved the piece first in starting of game and i also wins the game but the opponent's one piece is left and only one chance is required by opponent then opponent will get the chance or not...and if you know this tie rule in checker then plz comment
Tavi says:
I have such good memories of playing this game with my grandmother. She was simple and would only play Chinese checkers. Needless to say we all had to learn how to play. After learning the rules we'd attempt to beat her and win but I never did.
03-22-2017
I have such good memories of playing this game with my grandmother. She was simple and would only play Chinese checkers. Needless to say we all had to learn how to play. After learning the rules we'd attempt to beat her and win but I never did.
Shawn says:
There are a lot of different versions of Chinese checkers rules out there since it's such an old game. Good to find at least one I can stick by to teach others how to play.
03-22-2017
There are a lot of different versions of Chinese checkers rules out there since it's such an old game. Good to find at least one I can stick by to teach others how to play.
Here are some other games you might like to play at your next get together. Learning how to play new games can feel daunting at first but once you get the hang of it, it can be really fun to try out new games. You can also use our search feature at the top of the page to search for a specific criteria that might interest you. Who knows - you might just find your next favorite game.
