Learn Chinese checkers, one hop at a time.
Six short lessons take kids from “what is this star?” to their first full race. Every move is checked on an animated board, and a friendly computer opponent is ready when they are.
From the first step to the long ladder.
Steps and hops
Short interactive boards teach the two moves: a step into a neighbouring hole, or a hop over one marble into the empty hole beyond it.
Ladders
Chain hops are the heart of the game. Kids climb ready-made ladders, then hunt for the longest one on the board themselves.
Real strategy
Build bridges, move from the back, and never leave a straggler. Race puzzles put each idea to work with a move limit.
Race the computer
Three levels, from a gentle opponent that mostly rolls forward to one that plans a move ahead. Tiny, quick and full-size games.
Math along the way
Triangle numbers (1 + 2 + 3 + 4 = 10), counting 121 holes, and adding up distance to pick the best move.
Made for small hands
Tap a marble to see where it can go, tap a glowing hole to move. Works with a keyboard and screen readers, on phones and tablets.
Race your marbles across the star.
- The board is a six-pointed star with 121 holes. Two, three, four or six players can race.
- Each player starts with 10 marbles in one point and races them to the point straight across.
- On your turn, step into an empty hole next to a marble, or hop over one marble into the empty hole beyond.
- Keep hopping in the same turn if you can. Nothing is ever captured.
- First player with every marble in the opposite point wins.
Our games use two common house rules: you may hop through another player’s empty point but not stop there, and an opponent’s marble left in your target counts toward your win once the rest is filled.
Not Chinese, and not checkers.
Chinese checkers was first published in Germany in 1892 as Stern-Halma, a star-shaped version of the older jumping game halma. The name “Chinese checkers” came later, in the United States. Unlike checkers, nobody is ever captured: it is a pure race.
Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Chinese checkers”.
Ready to race?
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