Print & Play

Board game rules: how to play classic board games

Chess, checkers, backgammon, go, mancala, ludo and other classic board games explained step by step. The public-domain games come with a free printable board.

← All game rules: how to play the classicsCard gamesDice gamesPen and paper
11 games
Board gameFree

Backgammon rules: how to play backgammon

Public domain · printable included

2 players5–60 min
Board gameFree

Checkers rules: how to play checkers

Public domain · printable included

2 players10–30 min
Board gameFree

Chess rules: how to play chess

Public domain · printable included

2 players20–90 min
Board gameFree

Chinese checkers rules: how to play Chinese checkers

Public domain · printable included

2–6 players10–30 minAge 7+
Board gameFree

Connect Four rules: how to play Connect 4

2 players10 minAge 6+
Board gameFree

Go rules: how to play go on a 9×9 board

Public domain · printable included

2 players
Board gameFree

Ludo rules: how to play ludo

Public domain · printable included

2–4 playersAge 5+
Board gameFree

Mancala rules: how to play mancala (Kalah)

Public domain · printable included

2 players
Board gameFree

Nine men's morris rules: how to play nine men's morris

Public domain · printable included

2 players5–60 minAge 5+
Board gameFree

Reversi rules: how to play reversi (Othello)

Public domain · printable included

2 players1–60 minAge 8+
Board gameFree

Snakes and ladders rules: how to play snakes and ladders

Public domain · printable included

2–4 players15–45 minAge 4+

Classic board games worth knowing

Most of these games are hundreds or thousands of years old and belong to nobody, which is why we can give you the board. Print it on card stock, borrow coins or buttons for pieces, and you have a complete game. Each page lists exactly what you need.

Card game rulesPrintable board gamesPen and paper games

Questions

Can I print the board?

Yes, for every public-domain game: chess, checkers, go 9×9, mancala, ludo, snakes and ladders, nine men's morris and reversi have a one-page board to print. Connect Four is a trademark, so it has rules only.

Which classic board game is easiest to learn?

Snakes and ladders and ludo need no strategy, so they work from age 4 or 5. Checkers and mancala are the next step; chess and go take a few games to click.