Although there are 14 possible first moves (7 if you eliminate symmetrical moves for the first player), experienced players play only two.īy far the most common first move is to move one of the two marbles on either end of front row of the four forward marbles one space forward and towards the center (as illustrated by green in the picture). In play among experienced players there are only a few openings that are commonly seen. Knowledge of openings is very important to playing Chinese Checkers well-similar to chess.

Green shows the two most common opening moves in Chinese Checkers Red shows the next two more common moves. A piece cannot jump over two or more pieces in a line, but a piece can jump zig-zag over two or more pieces.Įxcept for the holes along the edges, all (other) holes have six holes around them, corresponding to the direction of the next move or jump. Each jump in a string of multiple jumps must jump only one adjacent piece landing in an empty hole. The player can jump over their own pieces, or over the pieces of any of the other players. The move may consist of moving one piece into the adjacent empty hole, the piece may jump over one adjacent piece into a empty hole, or can make two or more multiple jumps. On a player's turn they must move only one piece. (The roll of a die, coin tosses, youngest, etc.) Play usually follows a clockwise or counter-clockwise order. Players typically agree on the method to determine who plays first, and second. Three (3) players set up occupying every other point.įour (4) players set up with two on one side, across from the other two players. Two (2) players begin at the opposite ends of the star, across from each other. Each player chooses the color of his or her pieces and fills one of the points of the star with his or her pieces as follows: The object of the game is to be the first to get all of your pieces from the point in front of you across the board, and completely into the point on the opposite side.Ģ, 3, 4, or 6 players can play a game. The points are typically different colors, corresponding to the colors of the pieces. Each point forms a triangle with ten (10) holes in four rows 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 = 10. The center of the board forms a hexagon with five holes along each side. The board is the shape of a six point star, with holes for possible moves of the pieces, typically marbles or pegs.

Chinese checkers play