Move one hole at a time, or jump over a marble into the empty hole beyond - and keep jumping while you can. First to fill the star point opposite wins.
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About Chinese Checkers
Free online Chinese Checkers on the full 121-hole star for two to six players, with jump chains and three computer difficulty levels.
Despite the name it is German, not Chinese: it was published in 1892 as Stern-Halma, a star-shaped version of the English game Halma, and the Chinese branding was added by American manufacturers in the 1920s because it sounded exotic. The game survives because of one rule - the jump chain. A single well-placed marble can turn a plodding move into a leap across half the board, which means the interesting decision is never where you want to go but what ladder you are building for later, and whether you are building it for your opponent too. It is one of the very few traditional board games that works properly with three, four or six players as well as two.
Frequently asked questions
Is it actually Chinese?๏ผ
No. It was invented in Germany in 1892 as Stern-Halma. The Chinese name was a 1920s marketing invention by American manufacturers.
How do the jumps work?๏ผ
You hop over one marble - anybody's - into the empty hole directly beyond it. If another jump is available from where you land, you may take it, and keep going.
Can I jump over two marbles at once?๏ผ
No. There must be exactly one marble, with an empty hole immediately beyond it in the same direction.
How many can play?๏ผ
Two, three, four or six. The seats are always placed so that everybody has somebody opposite them.
How hard is the computer?๏ผ
Three settings. Hard plays the whole board and builds jump ladders; easy makes looser moves so a younger player can win.
How do I win?๏ผ
Fill every hole of the star point opposite the one you started in.
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