the inkmate sketchbook
Rules, strategy and stories from the little hand-drawn games on inkmate: how to play, how to win, and how to play with people far away.
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- How to play Toot Boat: the co-op river game for 2 to 6: Toot Boat is a free co-op game where everyone shares one river boat and a toot button. Learn how it works, how to win levels and how to play in a private room.
- Why co-op games are good for friendships (and which to try): Cooperative games swap rivalry for teamwork. Here is why they help friendships, how they differ from competitive games and which co-op games to try online.
- Carrom rules and tips to improve your strike: Carrom rules explained clearly, from the queen and cover to fouls, plus practical tips on grip, flick, angles and positioning to make you a better player.
- Games to play with family far away, from anywhere: Easy online games to play with grandparents, siblings and cousins who live far away: what works across ages, time zones and devices, and how to get started.
- How to play snakes and ladders online with friends: Play snakes and ladders free online: roll, climb ladders, slide down snakes and race to 100 with 2 to 6 players, against bots, on one phone or in a room.
- Chess openings for beginners: simple first moves that work: Learn the principles behind good chess openings, then try three easy setups: the Italian Game, the London System and the Queen’s Gambit. Avoid early traps.
- Best free games to play on a video call with friends: Looking for free games to play on a video call? Here are board games, word games and no-equipment games that work well over Zoom, Meet or WhatsApp.
- Ludo strategy: how to win more games with smarter moves: Ludo is mostly luck, but not entirely. Learn which token to move, when to capture, how to use safe squares and how to play the endgame to win more often.
- Play ludo online free: rules, bots and rooms for up to six: Play ludo free online with friends or bots. Roll a six to leave base, race four tokens home and bump rivals back, with private rooms for up to six players.
- Snakes and ladders history: from Moksha Patam to your table: Snakes and ladders began in India as Moksha Patam, a game that taught virtue and vice. Follow its journey to Victorian England, America and your screen.
- Ludo rules for beginners: how to play, step by step: Ludo rules explained for beginners: setup, rolling a six, moving tokens, capturing, safe squares, reaching home, plus the house rules families argue about.
- Board game night ideas for long-distance couples: Fun, low-pressure game night ideas for long-distance couples: which games work online, how to plan the evening, and how to keep it feeling like a date.
- How to checkmate with king and queen (and king and rook): Step-by-step basic chess checkmates: trap a lone king with king and queen, then king and rook, and avoid the stalemate mistake that wastes won games.
- How to teach chess to kids: a gentle, step-by-step plan: A practical plan for teaching chess to children: start with pawns, add one piece at a time, keep it playful and use a friendly bot to build confidence.
- How to play chess online with friends, a bot or one phone: Play chess free online with a friend in a private room, against a bot with five levels, or pass one phone. Learn the basics and set up a game in a minute.
- How to play carrom online, free vs a bot or friend: Play carrom free online: flick the striker, pocket your coins, cover the queen and clear the board first. Play a bot, share one phone or use a private room.