Many years ago the world checkers championship was held in Asheville, N.C. The winner was also a chess master who had played Bobby Fisher to a draw.
I am not sure I agree but he said that checkers was just as difficult as chess.
I have played chess for forty years. I tried checkers. Checkers is harder. I am not joking.
Chess is harder to learn, but neither game is more difficult... the only thing that determines difficulty is the strength of the opponent.