Wally Gobetz CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

We're not talking today about the city of Denver, as attractive and appealing as that modern metropolis might be. Instead, we're talking about John Denvir (and neither do we mean the late popular musician who called himself John Denver). John T. Denvir was a well-known checker player and author in the early 1900s, and was, to put it mildly, a man of controversy. He did publish a number of checker instruction books, and today's two-part problem is drawn from one of them.

First, look at this position arising from a Single Corner opening:

BLACK

WHITE
White to Play and Draw

W:W22,20,18,12,9:B14,11,3,2.

White has drawing moves here, and it's not so hard to find them. We invite you to give it a try.

One way not to draw is with the seemingly clever 20-16, which results in this position.

WHITE

BLACK
Black to Play and Win

B:W22,18,16,12,9:B14,11,3,2.

Can you find a win for Black at this point?

If you don't find the solutions, you needn't travel all the way to Denver to see how it's done; clicking on Read More will transport you immediately to the answers.

Sandro Halank,Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0

Spring has come to the northern hemisphere, and our rather impressive long jumper in the photo above is literally springing into spring as the outdoor season arrives. But even with our irrepressible urge to get out of the house and into the fine fresh air, we know you still have a little time to keep up with your game of checkers.

In this week's column we help you do just that, with a nice speed problem that will give you a little practice without keeping you inside for too long. We rank it as "medium" on the difficulty scale and allow you ... one minute. After all, the sunshine and blue skies are calling you!

Click below to show the problem and start the clock, then click on Read More to check your solution.

April Speed Problem (medium; 60 seconds)

Nriyer64 CC BY-SA 4.0

A very complex-looking double crossing (known as a "diamond") is to be found in the railway section pictured above. We wonder, though, if it's equal in complexity to today's checker problem, which, most appropriately, arises in a line of the Double Cross opening. The Double Cross, arising from 9-14 23-18, has a bit of shall we say a checkered reputation, with 23-18 being at best a weak reply to 9-14. Nevertheless, it's completely playable if you know what you're doing, but there's plenty of opportunity to go astray.

But for now, let's jump right into our position, in which White has indeed strayed from the narrow path.

WHITE

BLACK
Black to Play and Win

B:W31,27,19,18:B11,10,9,4.

Can you find the Black win, or will you get all crossed up? Don't be cross about it; clicking on Read More brings you the solution, the run-up to the position, and the usual explanatory notes.

There's an old maxim well known in formal project management practice: "Faster - Better - Cheaper: Choose two." Or, in the words of that yesteryear Cambridge, Massachusetts salesman known simply as Cheap Al: "You can't have all the goodies for nothing."

This month's speed problem indeed calls upon two of the three attributes mentioned in our title, namely, faster and better. Although the problem is quite easy, you'll need to be fast and rather a better player to solve this one within the very brief allowed time. Of course, "cheaper" doesn't enter into the picture as The Checker Maven always has been and always will be a free publication. Sorry Al, but maybe you can have all the goodies for nothing!

Click on the link below to show our problem and start the unforgiving JavaScript clock.

March Speed Problem (very easy)

When you're done, clicking on Read More gives you a faster, cheaper, and better way to see the correct solution.

PickPik CC0

Valentine's Day is the traditional day of romance, yet we are certain that our game of checkers and romance are seldom associated. More's the pity, as we can see in the photo of the young folks just above, and the wonderful picture of the older folks just below.

Pexels CC0

We like to think that checkers can be an important part of a romantic relationship. Consider: checkers is good clean fun; it's sociable; and it's an inexpensive activity. It's one of the overlooked simple things that can add a lot to a couple's time together.

To celebrate Valentine's Day, here's a checker problem that is of moderate difficulty; we propose that it's just the right thing for you and your Significant Other to work on during a pleasant hour together, perhaps over a soda or a pot of tea. And who knows where it all might lead?

WHITE

BLACK
Black to Play and Win

B:W25,22,21,20,K3:BK31,14,13,10,2.

Put your heart into finding the answer, then click on Read More for the charming solution.

PICRYL CC0

Much of North America and Europe is mired in the depths of winter, but that doesn't seem to faze our speed skater in the picture above. He's having a great time out on the ice, making the most of the season.

At home, there's nothing like a checker problem to help us make the most of the season too, and this month we bring you an easy speed problem that will cheer you, even if it won't quite last through a whole cup of tea. In fact, it's easy enough that we think 10 seconds is plenty of time.

When you're ready, click on the link below and speed to your solution. After you're done, click on Read More to check your answer.

February Speed Problem (easy)

Marvin J. Mavin was in St. Louis on a goodwill tour, where he would play exhibition matches and teach checkers in inner city schools.

But first, Marvin made an unscheduled and rather prolonged stop--- at St. Louis' landmark Mudvisor Brewery. The press was not allowed to follow Marvin while he took a tour of the brewery, a tour that normally lasts about 30 minutes, though Marvin was not seen to exit the grounds until more than two hours had elapsed. Just what was Marvin doing during all of that time?

Marvin J. Mavin

However tonight Marvin was scheduled to play an exhibition game at the St. Louis Civic Society Auditorium against the countywide amateur champion, Hinkley B. Dinkley. It was rumored that a number of major league scouts would be in attendance, with their eyes on Mr. Dinkley, who had made such a showing in amateur play that a professional contract was a real possibility. Mr. Dinkley, however, was also considering becoming a tennis pro; tennis seemed to be his real love, even though a major league checker career would be far more lucrative.

Hinkley B. Dinkley

Soon Marvin and Hinkley were seated before the checkerboard, shaking hands and exchanging pre-game greetings.

"Ever been to the Mudvisor Brewery, Hink?" asked Marvin.

"Um, the name's Hinkley, and yes, I've been there once or twice. Nothing really special," replied Hinkley.

"Aw, c'mon Hink," Marvin continued, rather oblivious to Hinkley's reply, "they got that Mud Light in there and they give ya samples. Lotsa samples!"

Hinkley declined to reply, as the referee had signaled the start of play. Marvin had Black, and made his opening move.

Marvin leaned back in his chair, clasped his hands on the back of his neck, and chuckled, "Hey, Hink, thought I'd sorta give you a break, being as how you're an amateur and all!"

Hinkley did not reply but simply moved

"Ah, now we're gettin' serious," said Marvin, and the game continued as follows.

Hinkley suddenly sat up straight, staring intently at the board, with an astonished look on his face. He blinked his eyes, blinked again, and continued to stare at the pieces.

"Whaddya lookin....." Marvin started to say, but he abruptly cut off his sentence, and then muttered, "Uh-oh...."

The forced exchanges took place, and then it was again Hinkley's turn.

Hinkley thought for a few more minutes, and then looked Marvin straight in the eye and said, "Marvin, I think your visit to Mudvisor was ill advised," whereupon, Hinkley made his move.

Can you figure out what's going on here? Did Marvin make an error? What move had Hinkley been expecting Marvin to make? How did Hinkley respond?

BLACK

WHITE
White to Play, What Result?
W:W32,31,30,29,28,27,26,22,21,20,18:B19,13,11,10,7,6,5,4,3,2,1.

Put yourself in Hinkley's shoes and work this all out, then click on Read More for the rest of the story.

Pexels CC0

We certainly don't recommend that you consume the entire triple burger shown above in a single sitting, unless you're hungry beyond belief and health considerations are of no consequence. Instead, we recommend you try out today's triple checker problem, in which you can truly have it your way.

The first setting is this.

WHITE

BLACK
Black to Play and Win

B:W26,23,K4:B24,K20,1.

If you don't like the first setting, then move the Black piece on square 1 over to square 2.

WHITE

BLACK
Black to Play and Win

B:W26,23,K4:B24,K20,2.

And if even that doesn't please you, move the piece to square 3 instead.

WHITE

BLACK
Black to Play and Win

B:W26,23,K4:B24,K20,3.

Have it your way--- move the Black piece to any one of the three squares as shown--- and Black will still win. Can you find the correct play in all of the positions?

Try to solve them; they're really not so difficult (well, mostly). Then after you've had it your way, have it our way by clicking on Read More to check your answers.

Needpix.com CC0

Did you stay up to see the clock strike twelve this past New Year's Eve? If you're like most of the Checker Maven staff, who are, after all, a little older than they once were, ten o'clock is already a late hour and waiting up for the stroke of midnight is a difficult task.

So instead, let's deal with not a clock stroke, but a checker stroke; that intriguing specimen of a checker problem that, like yogurt and opera, you either love or hate. And, since by now you've surely recovered from possible New Year's Eve revelry, we're setting out a position that is especially bewildering. Just take a look below.

BLACK

WHITE
White to Play and Win

W:WK2,8,K9,13,14,20,23,24,25,27:B1,4,6,7,K11,12,17,18,26,K32.

Of course, we expect you to solve this one completely from the diagram --- no setting up the board and moving the pieces! When you've clocked your solution, take the time to click on Read More to check your answer.

Wally Gobetz CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

During the winter holiday period, The Checker Maven closes its offices for a week or two, and staff spend time with their families. But that doesn't mean that checkers go off the agenda. Not at all! It's our wont to publish an interesting and entertaining checker problem or two, so our loyal readers can have a little extra checker enjoyment during this festive time of year. And when we look for a special checker problem, we inevitably turn to the master himself, Tom Wiswell; and what better choice than a problem he calls New Year's Resolution. Here's the position.

WHITE

BLACK
Black to Play, What Result?

B:B9,12,13,16,17,20:W10,18,19,23,27,31.

The position comes from a game in a New Year's Day tournament played in New York some decades back. As a holiday present, we'll give you a large hint: Mr. Wiswell, playing Black, won this game.

We would not say that this position is particularly easy, and in fact, it may use up a certain number of your holiday leisure hours. So please enjoy, but don't neglect your family time! When you've found your solution, click on Read More to see the full game, Mr. Wiswell's winning play, and KingsRow's computer analysis.