If you are a developer or a high-level player using other engines, you can download the Chinook Endgame Databases (up to 8 pieces) from the University's software page . These databases contain perfect information for all positions with eight or fewer pieces.
As of 2025, the most reliable source is the or the University of Alberta’s Computer Science archive portal .
: The project, led by Jonathan Schaeffer, spent nearly two decades calculating 500 billion billion positions to prove the game is a draw. Retirement
Chinook is a historic computer program developed at the University of Alberta Chinook Checkers Software Download
Get it from the official University of Alberta Computer Science site or a trusted mirror like GitHub. Avoid third-party “pro” versions – the original is free and safe. On Windows 10/11, right-click the installer → Properties → Compatibility → Run as Windows 7/XP.
is a world-class checkers-playing computer program developed at the University of Alberta . While it was originally designed to win the World Championship against human opponents, it was famously improved to "solve" the game of checkers, proving that perfect play from both sides leads to a draw. Key Features of Chinook
I downloaded Chinook, the legendary checkers (draughts) program developed by the University of Alberta, and I’m thoroughly impressed. For anyone serious about checkers – or even curious about AI history – this software is a gem. If you are a developer or a high-level
| Error Message | Solution | | :--- | :--- | | "The program requires a 32-bit version of Windows" | You cannot run original Chinook on 64-bit Windows directly. You must use a virtual machine (like VirtualBox with Windows XP) or use the "Wine" layer on Linux. | | "Component 'COMDLG32.OCX' not found" | This is a missing VB runtime. Download and install VB6Runtime.exe from Microsoft first. | | "Runtime Error 5: Invalid procedure call" | Your screen resolution is too high. Set your monitor to 1024x768 before launching. | | The board looks scrambled / black and white. | Right-click Chinook.exe > Properties > Compatibility > Change high DPI settings > Check "Override high DPI scaling." |
Q: Can I play against other players with Chinook? A: Yes, Chinook supports two-player mode, allowing you to play against a friend or another opponent.
To download and install Chinook Checkers Software, follow these steps: : The project, led by Jonathan Schaeffer, spent
Chinook is a free, open-source checkers program developed by Jonathan Schaeffer, a Canadian computer scientist. The software was first released in 1990 and has since become one of the most popular and respected checkers programs in the world. Chinook is known for its exceptional playing strength, which has been demonstrated through numerous tournaments and matches against human world champions.
If you prefer not to manage large database files, you can play against Chinook directly in your browser: Play Chinook web interface
The most accessible way to challenge the legend is through the University of Alberta's Play Chinook web interface . It allows you to select difficulty levels (novice, amateur, or intermediate) and utilizes the program's massive endgame databases.
While the original Chinook ran on massive university workstations, its legacy is available through several official and community channels: