Chinese checkers
A German strategy board game marketed as Chinese checkers.
Chinese checkers, also known as Chinese chequers in the UK and Sternhalma in German, is a strategy board game of German origin. It is a modern and simplified variation of the game Halma, with its Stern-Halma variant patented in 1892, though the game itself was invented earlier, around 1880. The game is played by two, three, four, or six people, individually or with partners, and the objective is to be first to race all of one's pieces across the hexagram-shaped board into the opposite corner.
Quick Facts
- Italic Title
- no
- Genre
- Board game · Abstract strategy game
- Players
- 2–4, 6
- Playing Time
- 10–30 minutes
- Random Chance
- None
- Ages
- 7+
- Skills
- Strategy, tactics
- Aka
- Star halma · Sternhalma · Hop Ching checkers · Tiaoqi ("jump chess")
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The game was invented in Germany around 1880, with the Stern-Halma variant patented in 1892 as a variation of the older American game Halma. The Stern (German for 'star') refers to the board's star shape, in contrast to the square board used in Halma. The name 'Chinese checkers' originated in the United States as a marketing scheme by Bill and Jack Pressman in 1928, and their game was originally called 'Hop Ching checkers'.
Reader's Guide
Chinese checkers is a strategy board game that remains popular worldwide, known for its simple rules but deep strategic possibilities. The game's significance lies in its accessibility and the variety of play styles it supports, from casual family games to competitive play. The basic strategy involves creating or finding the longest hopping path that leads closest to home, while also hindering opponents. Games between top players are rarely decided by more than a couple of moves. The game has spawned several variants, including fast-paced or Super Chinese Checkers (popular in France), a capture variant, the Diamond game (played in South Korea and Japan), and others like Yin and Yang and Order Out of Chaos. Its legacy is as a classic board game that bridges cultures, despite its German origins and American marketing name.
Did You Know?
- The game was invented around 1880, though the Stern-Halma variant was patented in 1892.
- In Japan, the game has a variation called 'diamond game' with slightly different rules.
- The game is known as tiaoqi in Chinese, which literally means 'jump game'.
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