Chinese Checkers Is Not a Chinese Invention

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Chinese Checkers is a Western invention. Based on the English game Halma, Chinese Checkers was first played in the United States in the 1920s. Halma, it turns out, was played on a square board, with wooden pieces. Up to four people could play. The pieces moved diagonally across the board. Then came a game called Star Checkers, which introduced the star and the idea of up to six people being able to play. Finally, we have Chinese Checkers, which is thought to have gotten its name from the star on the Chinese flag.

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