Chinese checkers may not seem like a simple game, but there are several Chinese checkers opening moves you can play to help you win. Just as with a game of checkers or chess, there are strategies you can use for success against your opponent.
Chinese Checkers Opening Moves
There are 14 possible Chinese checkers opening moves, since any of the first row of marbles could be moved into an adjacent hole and any of the second row could hop over the first row into an adjacent hole.
The Best Opening Chinese Checkers Strategies
You have a choice of two moves to use at the start of a game of Chinese checkers for the highest chance to win.
- The sidewinder opening involves moving one of the two marbles on the edge of the front row diagonally out from their current position.
- The cross caterpillar involves moving one of those same two marbles diagonally in toward the center line of the board.
Both of these are strong opening moves, as they set you up for a route across the board. The goal is to bring the pieces closer to the center line.
How to Win at Chinese Checkers
There are a few basic rules that people who are using a winning strategy for Chinese checkers follow. These strategies will work regardless of the number of players.
Aim for the Center Line
When you're working through the middle of the board, you will find it easier and faster to get your pieces where they want to go.
See the Whole Board
Always look at the whole board before you make your move. Don't strand one of your pieces at the back of your section of the board because you got in too much of a hurry to get your first pieces in position. Also watch what your opponent is doing to make sure they don't block you in a future move.
Move From the Sides In
Once you start filling in your final destination, get them in position along the sides of the triangle. This seems to make it a little easier to feed the pieces in than if you worked, say, from back to front.
Use Blocking
Remember that just because you can keep jumping over marbles doesn't mean you should always go as far as you can travel. Sometimes more of an advantage can be gained by blocking an opponent than by filling in your goal area. Another blocking strategy is to leave one marble in the other players ending area, as this makes it impossible for them to fill the area and win. Again, it's all about thinking strategically.
Keep Your Marbles Together
It's best to keep your marbles close together so they form a line pointing from the beginning to the ending area. You do not want them directly next to each other however as having a space between each allows you to jump your marbles along a farther distance. If marbles are too far apart and cannot jump, this will delay your ability to fill up the final destination first.
Don't Strand Your Marbles
Always be aware of where your last marbles to move are in relation to the others. Moving your other marbles too quickly away will "strand" a marble in the starting area and they won't be able to move.
Winning Chinese Checkers Strategies
Chinese checkers is a lot of fun and involves slightly different strategies depending on the number of players and what your objective is. But once you understand the basic opening moves and techniques for success, you'll become a champion Chinese checkers player in no time.
