Checkers is played by two opponents, on opposite sides of the game-board. One player has the dark pieces, the other has the light pieces. The white player begins the game and has to make a move, afterwards both players alternate taking turns. A player may not move an opponent's piece. A move consists of moving a piece diagonally to an adjacent unoccupied square. If the adjacent square contains an opponent's piece, and the square immediately beyond it is vacant, the piece may be captured by jumping over it.