Checkers Double Jump - Annoy Your Opponent with the Checkers Double Jump

Jumping is one of only two moves that are possible in a game of checkers. While a single jump is indeed a good move and one that can effectively reduce the number of your opponent’s checkers pieces when done repeatedly, a checkers double jump is even more impressive, and can have a particularly devastating effect on your opponent’s playing strategy.

What is a Double Jump in Checkers?

A checkers double jump is simply defined as being a move where two jumps are made one after the other within a single turn. The end result of this single move is that a player can capture two of the opponent’s checkers pieces at once. A checkers double jump is possible if, after making a single jump that results in a capture, the very same checkers piece is in a position to make yet another capture. This subsequent move can either be along the same diagonal direction or it may move off into another direction.

Keep in mind that if one or more jumps are possible after a player has made a single jump or capture, he or she must make those jumps all in the same turn.

Other Checkers Multiple Jumps

In the game of checkers, a double jump is only one kind of a multiple jump. All of these moves will result in the player being able to capture more than one of the opposing player’s checkers pieces. Just as a move that captures two of your opponent’s checkers pieces in a single turn is called a double jump, a move that captures three of the opposing player’s checkers pieces in a single turn is called a triple jump, and so on.

Most variations of the game of checkers, allows players to execute double or triple jump moves. The only restriction to a multiple jump move is that you have to do it with the same checkers piece. Single or multiple jump moves with two different pieces are not allowed.

What do the Russians do?

In Russian Checkers, one of checkers variation of the game, checker kings are allowed to make jumps towards any square even if only one of the opponent’s checkers pieces is captured, as long as the move is done in a diagonal direction. In this situation, the opponent’s checkers piece does not necessarily have to be right next to king, and even the square where the king will end up does not have to be right next to the checkers piece that will be captured.