Halma
STRATEGY BOARD GAME (1883) invented by DR. GEORGE HOWARD MONKS, Harvard University. Played on 16×16 square board with 2-6 players. Each player has 13-19 pieces in a corner CAMP; goal is to MOVE ALL PIECES to the OPPOSITE CAMP. Move 1 square OR jump over adjacent pieces (own or opponent's) — chained jumps allowed. Ancestor of CHINESE CHECKERS (1892 German variant on hexagonal star board). Classic 19th-century strategy game; hugely popular in Victorian era; niche today.
Quick facts
Category
Mind Sports
Type
Individual
Players
2–6
Duration
~45 min
Where played
indoor
Country of origin
🇺🇸 United States
Estimated origin
1883 George Howard Monks; based on English game 'Hoppity'; ancestor of Chinese Checkers 1892
Olympic
No
Popularity
niche
How it works
Objective
Move all your pieces from your corner camp to the opposite corner camp.
Rules
Basic rules
Each turn: move 1 piece ONE step OR make chain of jumps over adjacent pieces
Signature 2 move types.
Jump over own or opponent's pieces (no capture)
Signature all-jumping.
Chain jumps allowed (multiple in one move)
Signature chaining.
Move only into empty squares
Standard board rule.
Winner: first to move all pieces into opposite camp
Simple racing win condition.
Scoring
First to occupy opposite camp entirely wins.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| All pieces in opposite camp | WIN |
| Chained jump completion | Efficiency measured in moves |
| Racing efficiency | Fewer moves = better play |
Win condition · All pieces in opposite corner camp.
Equipment
16×16 square Halma board
Signature — square with corner triangles marked as camps
Colored pieces (13 each for 4-player, 19 each for 2-player)
Traditional wooden or plastic pieces
Terminology
- Halma
- Greek for 'jump'.
- Camp
- Corner triangle where pieces start + must reach in opposite corner.
- Chain Jump
- Multiple sequential jumps over pieces in a single move.
- Chinese Checkers
- Popular 1892 German variant on hexagonal star board — technically 'Sternhalma'.
Where it is played
Frequently asked
Halma vs Chinese Checkers?+
SIBLING GAMES with different boards. HALMA (1883 USA, George Howard Monks): 16×16 SQUARE board with corner triangles as camps. Original + more strategic (variable moves possible). CHINESE CHECKERS (1892 Germany, marketed by Ravensburger): HEXAGONAL STAR board with 6 corner points. Actually German invention despite name. More popular today in USA, China, Germany. Rules essentially identical (jump + move); Chinese Checkers is more accessible + visually elegant.
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Halma— Wikipedia