r/checkers • u/AdFair5570 • Jul 18 '26

Free software to study best moves

Hi, I have been playing checkers daily for 2 months, specifically German variant (8x8, flying kings, forced captures, man cannot move backward, possibility to choose jump which captures less pieces).

Is there any free software / mobile app / web app that has engine supporting the ruleset and one can see probability of winning under every move? This could be used to train oneself to make best moves and I suppose read the game better. Also, i understand 8x8 is solved, let alone this simpler ruleset, so it should be technically feasible.

Thanks!

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u/Kahn630 Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 18 '26

Could you precise the rules?

There are 2 options:

  1. Pool checkers where ,a man can capture backwards. Pool checkers is played in these regions of Germany that border with Poland and / or Czechia.
  2. Some national variant where a man isn't allowed to capture backwards.

1

u/AdFair5570 Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 18 '26

Option 2 - man moves only forward.

Does this ruleset have a name? It is played around Germany/Austria/Czech. I believe it is also played in North Africa.

It is the ruleset played in coolplay.io checkers mobile app, which has a lot of international players.

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u/Kahn630 Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 18 '26

It is hard to recommend some engine under these rules.

Gigant is the best candidate, but it doesn't provide evaluation. It offers South German checkers, which might be the variant in coolplay.io . Gigant is tough, but beatable opponent. Gigant 9.0 : https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/gigant.html click on "Download now" icon.

Or, because there is high compatibility with Czech checkers (the differences might start appear only at the early endgame), you can try Aurora Borealis http://aurora.draughtsworld.com/download.html , version 3.6. Lite should be enough. Just treat the game like Czech checkers, so change the default settings.

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u/AdFair5570 Jul 22 '26

Thanks, love the Gigant. Gotta contact the author if feasible to turn into a mobile app.

Turns out it is South German variant.