# Tactical Checkers — Exciting Tactics and Strategy > A complex strategy board game with simple rules, playable against AI or humans. (iPhone/iPad app by David Sumner.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tactical-checkers/id1082164599 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [David Sumner](https://appshunter.io/developer/320952197) - Category: Games, Education, Board, Strategy - Price: Free - Rating: 3.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings · 3 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 8.0 · 53 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2016-05-07 - Data updated: 2026-06-01 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tactical-checkers/id1082164599/reviews.md ## What is Tactical Checkers? The rules are simple for this challenging game, but one misstep and it's all over. The computer at its expert level is beatable, but not easily. * You can play a complete game while waiting in line at the grocery store! * You have the choice of playing another human or the computer. * Learn by playing the computer, and then beat your friends convincingly! * The game is quite complex despite the apparent simplicity. * The computer can play at any of four levels from the easily beatable Novice up to the quite potent Expert. Expert is actually beatable, despite being able to search 9 moves ahead. But to win you must play exceptionally well. Pieces move horizontally or vertically (not diagonally) one square at a time, and there is no jumping. If you're a seasoned chess or checker player you will notice related aspects of the tactics in those games to the tactics here. Double attacks play a big role as does the concept of zugzwang (the unpleasant obligation to move). A later version will offer the option of Guru - which plays an absolutely perfect game and cannot be beaten with either color. The app contains a great deal of information about how to play Tactical Checkers well. Tactical Checkers derives from the game of Tac Tickle originally developed by Harry Ruderman in the 1960's. If you like Tactical Checkers, you will definitely like Circular Connect Four also available on the App Store. If you have suggestions or comments on the game, please use the email option included in the app to contact us - we really would love to hear from you! And if you enjoy Tactical Checkers, please leave us a rating or review! ## Key features - Play against computer AI - Two-player local mode - Multiple difficulty levels - Learn advanced tactics - Simple rules, deep strategy - Offline gameplay ## Recent user reviews (3 of 3) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tactical-checkers/id1082164599/reviews.md ### 3/5 — Please, please, puhleeze... *2017-12-01* ...update this game to enable screen rotation to landscape display mode for this otherwise cool game (for me, and possibly many others, portrait display mode playing is close to being an "accessibility" related deal-breaker). This shouldn't be a big issue for the Dr. Dev., eh? Thanks. RESPONSE to Dev: ...on my iPad. **Developer response:** I appreciate your input. One question - are you playing this on an iPad or iPhone? It's actually quite a job to convert either to landscape, but the iPad is a more doable option. And I am planning to do this eventually. You can contact me through the settings view on Tactical Checkers. Thanks! ### 5/5 — Working on It, With Great Pleasure *2017-05-26* How could a board game with so few squares and so few pieces and such simple rules be so bewildering? As in all of Dr. Sumner's apps, the presentation is superb. And what a game! It probably takes a genius mathematician like Dr. Sumner to find such a game. Surely there can't be many more with such haiku-like fecundity. So I'm working on it, hoping to eventually master, but not remotely close at this time... ### 5/5 — Exactly what I needed *2016-05-08* A very fun and simple game! Looking forward to improving my skills and challenging family and friends with this one. I'm enjoying it very much :) ## Frequently asked questions about Tactical Checkers ### What is Tactical Checkers? Tactical Checkers is a strategy board game derived from the 1960s game Tac Tickle. It features simple rules but requires deep strategic thinking, similar to chess or traditional checkers. ### How do you play Tactical Checkers? Pieces move horizontally or vertically one square at a time, without jumping. The game emphasizes tactics like double attacks and zugzwang. It's designed to be challenging, even at the expert computer level. ### Can I play Tactical Checkers offline? Yes, the game is designed for quick play sessions, making it perfect for playing offline while waiting in line or during commutes. ### What are the computer difficulty levels in Tactical Checkers? Tactical Checkers offers four computer difficulty levels: Novice, and three higher levels up to Expert. The Expert level is beatable but requires exceptional play. ### Is Tactical Checkers free to play? Yes, Tactical Checkers is available for free. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned in the app's description. ### Does Tactical Checkers have ads? No, the app description states that it does not contain advertisements, making for an uninterrupted gaming experience. ### What devices can I play Tactical Checkers on? Tactical Checkers is supported on iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices, making it accessible to a wide range of Apple users. ### How often is Tactical Checkers updated? The latest version of Tactical Checkers is 1.7, which was last updated on December 2, 2017. Future updates may introduce new features like a 'Guru' level. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.7 — 2017-12-02 This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon. Minor bug fixes You can tap on the envelope in the Settings Tab to send us feedback - we'd love to hear from you! And if you're enjoying Tactical Checkers, we'd appreciate your review as well. ### 1.6 — 2017-05-30 Cosmetic Changes, minor bug fixes ### 1.5 — 2017-04-28 Minor cosmetic changes and bug fixes. ### 1.4 — 2016-06-25 Changed the look and feel! Now there is an option to Quit a game and begin a new one. Minor bug fixes. If you enjoy Tactical Checkers, we would greatly appreciate your rating or review for this version. ### 1.3 — 2016-05-23 Bug fixes As always, we appreciate your reviews and ratings. ## Apps similar to Tactical Checkers | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [O vs X Duel](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/o-vs-x-duel/id6748151029) | — | Free | Games | | [TicTacToe by TechQuests](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tictactoe-by-techquests/id6745151698) | — | Free | Games | | [HexFiller](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hexfiller/id1071621546) | 4.8 (5) | Free | Games | | [Network6](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/network6/id529707960) | — | $0.99 | Games | | [Convergists](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/convergists/id1672797792) | — | Free | Games | ## More apps by David Sumner - [PentoMind - Pentomino Puzzles](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pentomind-pentomino-puzzles/id320952194) - [Circular Tic Tac Toe](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/circular-tic-tac-toe/id386563778) - [Peg Pals Pro – Peg Solitaire](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/peg-pals-pro-peg-solitaire/id468305550) - [Morse Code Trainer & Practice](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/morse-code-trainer-and-practice/id6748040912) All apps by David Sumner: https://appshunter.io/developer/320952197 --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-01.*