I would change Checker to something like this:
class Checker {
private int x;
private int y;
private int id;
private boolean white;
private boolean king = false; // to clarify the default value
public Checker(int x, int y, int id, boolean white) {
this.x = x;
this.y = y;
this.id = id;
this.white = white;
}
public boolean isKing() {
return king;
}
public void setKing(boolean king) {
this.king = king;
}
public int getX() {
return x;
}
public int getY() {
return y;
}
public int getId() {
return id;
}
public boolean isWhite() {
return white;
}
}
Where you assign state to it in its constructor.
I'd create a CheckerSquare object that can hold a Checker object (or hold nothing).
I'd create a CheckersBoard class that is an 8 x 8 array of CheckerSquare objects.
I'd then use a for loop to fill the board's squares with appropriate Checker objects, and yes, if you work this out on paper, a for loop would work great for this, probably two of them though, one for white and one for black (though one could do it if you're a little clever).
I'd then create a Main class with a main method that initializes the objects above, and other necessary objects, such as a class to oversee the game itself, a class for Player, a class for the rules, and then get things started.