Chinese checkers has very simple rules, but they can create a devilishly complicated game. Chinese checkers is a two, three, four or six players’ game played on a board configured into a star pattern. Every player has 10 marbles that he has to move to the opposite star corner of the board. The winner is the first player that manages to do so.
The rules of Chinese Checkers
The moves are made in turns (usually the players turns rotate counterclockwise). There is only one peg move per turn. The move consists of either (a) moving to an adjacent hole or (b) “jumping” over any other peg as long as it has a free hole. It is possible to make several jumps in one turn and they need not be in one line. No marbles are removed from the board during the play, unless they stop another player from winning (by standing on his or her finishing points, for example).
The first player who places all of his or her pegs on the star corner opposite to his or her starting point wins. The first winning turn ends the game. There is always just one winner.
The partners
It is possible to choose partners. If you are eliminated from the game, you can aid your partner and help him or her in moving pegs and, hopefully, in winning a game.
The strategy
There is no simple strategy here, especially in the middle of the game when four people’s decisions smash unknowingly even the best laid plans. There is only one piece of advice that might be helpful - the key to winning the game is using jumping possibilities whenever possible. The players that “jump” as often as possible tend to win.
Getting Chinese checkers
If you don’t have a Chinese checkers set at home then you can try playing at games.yahoo.com. But if you decide to purchase a game set, don’t think twice - there are a few wonderful sets available on the Internet that aren’t only good-looking, but also cost very little. Searching for Chinese checkers in standard shops is time-consuming and tiring as it is not a very popular game. The e-shopping can save you a lot of time, money and stress!
