Checkers4 (1980)

"More players and more FUN!" Checkers4 uses a larger board and four sets of pieces to accommodate 2 to 4 players. The X4 board is similar to a standard checkerboard, but with an additional 3 rows, 8 ranks wide, at the top and bottom of the board, and 3 ranks, 8 rows wide, at the sides. This gives the board the appearance of a Greek cross. The other side of the board is printed with a standard checkerboard so it can be used for traditional checkers. There are 4 sets of pieces: red, black, ivory and gold. Red and black are usually placed opposite each other, as are ivory and gold. Play is similar to traditional checkers, and has two possible methods of kinging (to be chosen by the players in advance). The first is the traditional method, in which a piece has to cross to the final row on the opposite side of the board. The second requires a piece to merely reach any edge, left, right or opposite. The game can be played with 2, 3 or 4 players. 2 players can play using two sets of pieces, either side-by-side or on opposite ends.