TRIVIAL PURSUITS: From where did the game Chinese Checkers originate?

From where did the game Chinese Checkers originate?

The first version of the game was a UK game called Halma, which became popular in the U.S. Halma was played on a square board, with wooden pieces. Up to four people could play.

The current game was invented in Germany in 1892 under the name “Stern-Halma” as a variation of the older American game Halma. The “Stern” (German for star) refers to the board’s star shape. It can be played by two, three, four, or six people, playing individually or with partners.

Some sources say the name “Chinese Checkers” originated in the United States as a marketing scheme by Bill and Jack Pressman in 1928. The Pressman company’s game was originally called “Hop Ching Checkers”. Other sources say the game got its current name because of the star on the Chinese flag.