Chinese Checkers (or Chinese Chequers) was invented in the 1920s in America and has nothing to do with China. In fact it's based on an earlier Victorian game called Halma which is played on a square 16 x 16 chequer board.
At Masters Traditional Games, we know that cheap Chinese Checkers games can be found all over the place so for our discerning customers we put effort into finding things that are either high quality or a little bit special in some way. We think that ours is the most interesting selection of Chinese Checkers boards around.
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Chinese Checkers, disappointingly, is no more than Halma (a Victorian games invented in the 1880s) transported to a star shaped board. It was first patented in the West by Ravensburger, the famous German games company, under the name Stern-Halma in Germany a few years after Halma appeared.
It was later launched in the USA under the catchier name of Chinese Checkers, and this is the form that is most well-known today. J Pressman is believed to be the person who introduced the game to the USA during 1928 although several other manufacturers started to make it thereafter including Milton Bradley whom, an unconfirmed report has it, patented the game in 1941.
You can learn more about the History of Chinese Checkers from The Online Guide to Traditional Games.
We have a wide range of Chinese Checkers sets to choose from. To help you pick the right one, we’ve broken down some product details below so you can find the perfect fit for your game night:
Philos large 38cm Chinese Checkers with wooden pegs
A large. round Chinese Checker game by Philos. It features a 38cm round board made from Ash wood and coloured wooden pegs (6 colours). Many people prefer the pegs to marbles as they are easier to pick up and move about. This strategy game is recommended for ages 6+ and is designed for 2-6 players.
Chinese Checkers & Nine Men’s Morris 2 In 1 Game – 50cm
A large, round Chinese Checker & 9 Men’s Morris game by Philos. It features a 50cm round, double-sided board and playing pieces for both games (wooden pegs for Chinese Checkers and Draughts for Nine Men’s Morris). The very large wooden board is ideal for children to learn the basics of these classic old games.
Large Hexagonal Chinese Checkers Game with Wooden Marbles- 36cm
This game set features a large, quality board made from Paduak wood with Beech wood marbles (6 colours). The board has a 36cm diameter, which makes the game a nice spectacle, as well as allowing for easier movement of marbles that are surrounded by other pieces – a difficult task on smaller boards. Game is produced by Pico Pao – a Spanish manufacturer known for their contemporary take on traditional games.
Chinese Checkers in a Chinese styled Leatherette Box with Wooden Marbles – 33cm
While Chinese Checkers is NOT a Chinese game, many people associate it with that country. This version of the game is presented in a leatherette covered wooden box that is embossed with Chinese style decoration. The robust red-coloured wooden box serves to keep the marbles from getting lost. The inside of the lid is faced with Chinese writing paper while the top features a Chinese themed decorative picture. The wooden board is separate and can be removed from the box to play. The game board is a fine size for play (33 x 30cm) with medium sized marbles that are not too fiddly. There are triangular pits around the edge of the board that can be used to store the marbles when not in use. A distinctive Chinese Checkers game that would make a lovely gift.