Translation guide
The board game checkers (also known as draughts). In Japanese, it is usually referred to by its English name or a descriptive phrase.
チェッカー
checkers (the game)
Referring to the game of checkers, played on a checkered board with round pieces.
The most common way to refer to the game in Japanese, borrowed from English. Widely understood.
週末に友達とチェッカーをした。
I played checkers with a friend on the weekend.
Sometimes used, but less common than チェッカー. May be confused with the name of a former Japanese pop group.
チェッカーズのルールを知っていますか？
Do you know the rules of checkers?
Literally 'Western Go', a descriptive term that may be used to explain the game to someone unfamiliar with it. Rarely used in casual conversation.
チェッカーは西洋碁とも呼ばれることがある。
Checkers is sometimes also called 'Western Go'.
In Japanese, the game is almost always called チェッカー (checker). Using the English word with Japanese pronunciation is the most natural choice. Avoid literal translations like 検査する人 (inspector) or 格子模様 (checkered pattern), as they refer to completely different things.