Checkers for Android

Aart Bik

About this game

Checkers for Android (draughts) consists of an 8x8 checkers engine and a GUI. The application accepts moves through the touch screen or trackball. An optional "move coach" shows all valid user moves and highlights each last played move. Full game navigation enables users to correct mistakes or analyze games. Games import and export as FEN/PDN to and from the clipboard or via sharing, or are set up through a position editor. The engine plays at various levels (including random and free-play). By popular request, an option was added to select between mandatory captures (the official rule) or optional captures (a common home rule, but without "huffing", where the piece that should have performed the capture is forfeited; instead the game simply continues). The user can play either side and, independently, view the board from the perspective of white or black.

The application connects to an external electronic checkers board (Certabo).

Online manual at:
https://www.aartbik.com/android_manual.php

Ratings and reviews

Great checkers game. I hope you might consider making the level of the computer opponent adjustable by using an ELO rating ranging from 200 to 2400. If this is more work than it's worth, would you consider adding difficulty adjustment by fixed depth in addition to fixed time as you already do, to bridge the gap between random play and that 1st second, and make your excellent apps more accessible to people who are just starting out.

The game's interface is minimalist and fresh. I'm not too interested in CPUs/AIs in checkers, so I won't comment on that. However, I value multilayer mode. One suggestion: Slow down the animations. Because of the high speed of the animations, when introducing checkers to people, I'm stuck having to explain why a piece just seemingly teleported horizontally across the board, disappearing with a handful of pieces. Otherwise, allow players to input every jump till the end of the jump sequence.

Update: you're right Aart I was being unfair. I'm no beginner and I do win the very occasional game. But the easiest level, (not random) is in my opinion, too hard. There is no possibility of my moving through the levels. Great programming though.

What’s new

Certabo USB support for both CP2102 and CP2103