Checkers

Checkers, or draughts, game played by two people on a board of 64 alternating light and dark squares. Each player begins with 12 red or black checkers placed on the 12 dark squares nearest him or her. Taking turns, players advance their checkers diagonally in a forward direction. Once the last row of the board is reached, checkers are crowned, becoming kings, which may move forward or backward and can jump backwards over their opponents. The game became popular in Europe in the 16th century, but its origins go back to ancient times.