Checkers is an easy game to learn, but there are always questions around how the pieces move and jump.

Can You Move or Jump Sideways In Checkers?

No. You can’t move or jump directly to the side in checkers. Checkers pieces move and jump diagonally, but that’s the extent of the sideways movement.

A regular checker always moves and jumps diagonally forward, either like this / or like this \. A king moves and jumps diagonally forward or backward. Neither type ever moves or jumps directly sideways like this → or this ←.

---

Now that you’re ready to start playing, check out the full checkers rules, improve your strategy and set up the board.