Chinese Checkers
A star-shaped race of hops and shortcuts. Be the first to move all ten of your pegs from your home point into the point directly across the board.
How to play Chinese Checkers
- Each player starts with ten pegs in one point of the star. Your target is the point straight across from it (outlined on the board).
- On your turn move one peg, either a step into an empty neighbouring hole, or a hop over one neighbouring peg — anyone's colour — into the empty hole right behind it.
- Hops can be chained: keep jumping from hole to hole as long as there is a peg to hop over. You may stop after any hop. Steps and hops cannot be mixed in one move.
- Pegs are never captured; hopping just gives you a quick ride.
- You win when your target point is completely full and holds your pegs. If an opponent leaves a peg sitting in your target, it cannot stop you: a full point with at least one of your pegs still counts.
- Choose 2, 3, 4 or 6 players. You always play the bottom point; the computer plays the others.
Controls
- Tap one of your pegs to see every hole it can reach, then tap a highlighted hole. You can also drag a peg onto a highlighted hole.
- Tap the peg again (or press Esc) to cancel. Undo takes back your last move.
Tips
- Build "ladders": leave pegs spaced one hole apart so later pegs can chain several hops in a single turn.
- Do not leave stragglers behind in your home point — the last peg is often what loses the race.
- Opponent pegs are stepping stones too. Look for long hops over their lines.
FAQ
How do you play Chinese checkers?
Each player starts with ten pegs in one point of the star and races to fill the point directly opposite. On your turn either step one peg into a neighbouring hole or hop over any adjacent peg into the empty hole behind it, chaining as many hops as you like. Nothing is ever captured. The first player to fill the target point wins.
Can you hop over your own pegs in Chinese checkers?
Yes. You can hop over your own pegs and your opponents’ pegs alike, and mix both in one chain of hops.
Is this game actually from China?
No. It is a German game from the 1890s, a simplified star version of an older square-board game called Halma. The name came later as a marketing touch.
How many players can play?
Two, three, four or six. With three players each side races to an empty point; with two, four or six, every player's target is an opponent's home.