Chinese Checkers Strategy: 8 Tips

1. Build ladders. A line of marbles with one-hole gaps lets a marble at the back jump all the way to the front. Set these up on purpose.
2. Keep your marbles together. A group can jump over itself again and again; a single marble out front has nothing to jump over.
3. Don't leave a straggler. The last marble out of your home often costs many turns. Bring the back marbles along early.
4. Use the middle. The centre hexagon has the most jump paths. Heading straight across is shorter than going around the edge.
5. Use your opponents' marbles. Any marble can be a stepping stone. Look for chains through their pieces too.
6. Watch what you give away. A step that sets up your own jump may also set up one for the next player.
7. Fill your target from the tip. Move your first arrivals deep into the target point so later marbles have room behind them.
8. Count turns at the end. When both sides are close, count how many moves each needs. A jump that brings two marbles closer is worth more than a step.

Against the computer

Easy wanders a bit; normal always makes the move that gains the most ground; hard plans two moves ahead to set up ladders. With more players, the race gets crowded in the middle, so the jumps you find there count even more.

Play Chinese checkers or read the rules.

Last updated 2026-10-19