RESULTS OF FIRST UNOFFICIAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CHECKER PROBLEM COMPOSING CONTEST JANUARY 2012
by William Salot
Two original, unpublished checker problems named “Scooper” and “Undercut” met face to face on the ACF Forum over a period of two weeks in January 2012, during which time they were reviewed by 12 willing and able judges. This may have been the largest review panel ever to pass judgment on such a competition. (Larger problem composing contests, conducted by Leeds Mercury (1893-94), Pittsburgh Leader (1910-11) and ACF Bulletin (1969- 70), had fewer judges.)
Both problems were praised and received votes: “Scooper” 4 and “Undercut” 8. “Scooper” was composed by Louis Cowie and “Undercut” by Bill Salot, a pair of 82 year olds.
Remarkably, Mr. Cowie, a long time master player and problemist, does it all without a computer. Since he could not vote, his competitor did not vote either.
Now that these two old American codgers have shown the way, it is time for some young international whippersnappers to take up the challenge in future contests. Send your best original, unpublished efforts to Bill Salot at wjsalot@comcast.net or at 1006 Elmwood Drive, Colonial Heights, VA 23834, USA.
A February 2012 contest is already assured, but it, and later contests, can still accommodate more entries. Good luck!
FIRST UNOFFICIAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
CHECKER PROBLEM COMPOSING CONTEST
JANUARY 2012
“SCOOPER”
Black to Play; White to Win
“UNDERCUT”
White to Play and Win
Send your own original, unpublished compositions for future contests to Bill Salot at either wjsalot@comcast.net or 1006 Elmwood Drive, Colonial Heights, VA 23834-2905, USA