The Checker Maven
The World's Most Widely Read Checkers and Draughts Publication
Bob Newell, Editor-in-Chief
Published each Saturday morning in Honolulu, Hawai`i
Contests in Progress:
Labor Day Race
This article will be published on Labor Day weekend, a time to kick back, relax, enjoy a beverage, and recognize the ordinary working guy and gal; the people who through their daily hard work and perseverance make America great. We know that many of these folk are checker players, as checkers is the mind sport of the common man; and today we salute all of you with our September speed problems.
September Speed Problem 1 (easy enough but a bit odd; one minute)
September Speed Problem 2 (moderately easy; two minutes)
The Twelve Move Sack
We continue to electronically reprint Willie Ryan's unmatched classic, Tricks Traps & Shots of the Checkerboard, in tantalizing monthly installments. This month, we feature a twelve move debacle and a thrilling triple action shot. Willie himself explains.
A Twelve-Move Sack
It takes only one bad move to make a total wreck out of a good healthy position, as the reader will note from a cursory examination of this well-known 12-move mop-up. White's play up to A is sound enough; but with 21-17, black cuts loose with a withering blast of fireworks. Proceed:
10-14 24-19 11-16 28-24 16-20 19-15 9-13 23-19 7-10 32-28 14-18 21-17---A, forming the diagram.
BLACK
Black to Play and Win
B:W15,17,19,22,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31:B1,2,3,4,5,6,8,10,12,13,18,20.
A---This is where white misses the boat. The following is correct to draw: 26-23, 2-7, 23-14, 10-26, 30-23, 8-11, 15-8, 4-11, 31-26, 6-10, 19-16, 12-19, 24-6, 1-10, 26-22, 10-14, 22-17, 13-22, 25-9, 5-14, 29-25, 11-15, 25-22, 7-10, 22-17, 15-18, 17-13, 18-22, 13-9, 22-26, 9-6, 10-15, 6-2, 15-18. Wm. F. Ryan.
An Old Familiar
The following catch is well-known to all expert players, and is particularly useful in crossboard play, because it arises from several openings. In this example, a triple action shot does the trick, white executing three separate double jumps in succession.
9-13 23-19 6-9 27-23 9-14 22-18 11-15 18-11 8-15 23-18 14-23---A. See the diagram.
WHITE
White to Play and Win
W:W19,21,24,25,26,28,29,30,31,32:B1,2,3,4,5,7,10,12,13,15,23.
A---The wrong jump. The correct play is: 15-22, 25-9, 5-14, 19-16, 12-19, 24-6, 1-10, 29-25, 4-8, 25-22, 8-11, 28-24, 11-15, 32-27, 7-11, 26-23, 3-8, 30-26, 14-18, 23-7, 15-19, 24-15, 11-25, ending in a draw.
Don't get sacked yourself; clicking on Read More will bring you solutions and commentary.
Fifty Years of Composing
Melyvn Green, of Salford, England, next year will celebrate 50 years of composing original stroke problems. Mr. Green has composed hundreds of these teasers in the course of a long creative career that started in 1957.
Draughts stroke problems, as we've noted here before, are not everyone's cup of tea, much as composed chess problems are not to every chess player's taste. But, fan or not (and we confess to being unabashed fans), stroke problems have their own ineffable charm and appeal, with their often complex layouts and devilishly concealed key moves. Melvyn calls them, "hidden beauty on a draughtsboard," and has published a book with that exact title, collecting together 138 of his best puzzlers, enough to keep even the most dedicated solver busy for months.
Here's one of Melvyn's newer efforts, composed this past spring (2006). He categorizes it as "easy." You may or may not agree. Give it your best effort and then click on Read More for the solution.
WHITE
White to Play and Win
W:WK1,K9,K13,15,22,25:B14,16,18,23,K30,K31.
To commemorate his 50th year of problem composition, Mr. Green is offering copies of his book for only US $5.00 postpaid. This price is so low that it barely covers international postage. The offer is good until the end of calendar year 2007. Don't miss this opportunity. The book is a true gem.
Mr. Green is a man of many interests, and has asked us to pass along the fascinating fact that he is also offering for sale a substantial part of his collection of fantasy, sci-fi, and horror movie magazines! He has, over the years, amassed a large number of these publications from the US, the UK, and other points abroad. If your own interests extend beyond draughts and into this area, you might wish to contact Melvyn.
Mr. Green can be reached by email at melcar@amserve.com, and by traditional postal mail at 8 Castlefield Avenue, Salford M7 4GQ, United Kingdom.
Tupper-Ware
Checker School for this month presents a position and problem that a review of checker literature has shown to have been first published by C. W. Tupper rather than others who reprinted it later. Our own independent research efforts were unable to determine, however, if Mr. Tupper was in any way related to Earl S. Tupper (the son of Earnest and Lulu Tupper), the eventual inventor of Tupper-Ware. We have no reason at all to make such a connection other than pure speculation, of course, but the known dates and locations make this at least an interesting possibility. Is there such a thing as Tupper-Ware checkers? Perhaps this is a new marketing opportunity, and perhaps Marvin J. Mavin himself might endorse such a product.
BLACK
WHITE
White to Play and Draw
W:W8,K14,19:B3,12,K16.
Forces are even, but White will very soon be down a man. Can you store away a draw for the White forces, or will Black put a lid on things? When you've worked out your answers, click on Read More to uncover the solution.
Dog Days of Summer
Our canine friend seems to have found a cool, wet place to seek relief from the heat of an August midafternoon. But if you wish to beat our relentless clock on this month's speed problems, you won't be able to rest on your haunches; you'll have to brave the heat and show some hustle.
August Speed Problem 1 (very easy to easy). We're allowing you all of 30 seconds for this one.
August Speed Problem 2 (easy to moderate). For this one, you get two minutes, though you may not need it.
But don't sweat; clicking on Read More will bring you cool comfort by showing you our solutions.
The Zephyr
Today's problem, a Tom Wiswell gem provided to us by Harold Schneider, was titled Zephyr by Mr. Wiswell, though we're not sure quite why. After all, the word Zephyr has various meanings such as the west wind (after Zephyr, the Greek deity of the west wind); a gentle breeze; a soft, light fabric; or something airy, insubstantial, and passing.
Surely, though, there is nothing airy or insubstantial about our featured problem. Perhaps the title was inspired by the mighty passenger trains of a bygone day that took the name Zephyr. We really don't know; we simply invite you to partake of a cool summer refresher while basking in gentle westerly breezes, as you work out the solution to this challenger.
WHITE
White to Play and Win
W:WK20,K11,K3:BK12,10,K4.
It would seem that White's position is on the superior side and that the win should be rather easy. Appearances are often deceptive, though, and it will take your best efforts to bring about a White victory.
When you've come up with your answer, breeze on over and click Read More to see how it's done.
Demolition
As we delve further into Willie Ryan's famed Tricks Traps & Shots of the Checkerboard, we come across still more interesting and useful positions. This month we look into A Scotsman's Scoop and Denvir's Demolition. Listen up as Willie himself explains.
A Scotsman's Scoop
I am unable to find the appended trim snare recorded by any previous connoisseur of the stroke art. It was shown to me by Paul R. Semple, of Martins Ferry, Ohio, who reports he got it from an old Scotsman. Old or new, it's a practical example and belongs in every checker enthusiast's notebook. Move:
11-15 23-18 9-14 18-11 8-15 22-17 4-8 26-23 7-11 23-19 5-9 30-26 9-13---A. See the diagram.
WHITE
White to Play and Win
W:W17,19,21,24,25,26,27,28,29,31,32:B1,2,3,6,8,10,11,12,13,14,15.
A---This is where black bites the dust. The following moves will bring about a draw: 15-18, 19-15, 10-19, 17-10, 6-15, 27-23, 18-27, 32-7, 3-10, 26-23, 8-11, 25-22, 9-14, 29-25, 2-6, 22-17, 15-18, 24-19, 18-27, 31-24, 11-15, 24-20, 15-24, 28-19, 14-18, 17-14, etc. Wm. F. Ryan.
Denvir's Demolition
9-14 22-18 5-9 25-22 11-16 24-19 8-11 27-24---A 16-20 31-27 11-16 29-25 4-8 19-15 10-19 24-15 7-11 22-17
BLACK
Black to Play and Win
B:W32,30,28,27,26,25,23,21,18,17,15:B20,16,14,12,11,9,8,6,3,2,1.
The stage is all set for a startling stroke, leaving white hopelessly beaten. This clever whirligig is generally credited to the late John T. Denvir of Chicago, but it was probably known and shown by other champions before he was born.
A---A losing move often made by beginners, after which there is no scientific salvation. Either 22-17, 30-25, or 28-24 will draw.
After trying the problems, you don't need to be a Scotsman to demolish all difficulties by clicking on Read More for the solutions.
Bowen and Lyman's Double Play
We hope you managed to turn last month's Triple Play but if not, here's a chance to make a double play instead, as our lessons in Checker School continue with a pair of related positions.
In the first problem, White is a man up but Black is going to quickly even the count. How is White to pull off a win?
In the second problem, forces are even, but the White king is pursuing the lonely-looking Black men. Can you show how Black can save the draw?
BLACK
WHITE
White to Play and Win
W:W13,19,20,30:B7,11,12.
WHITE
BLACK
Black to Play and Draw
B:W30,20,K7:B19,18,10.
Whether it's short to second to first or some other way, turn the double play before clicking on Read More to see if your solution is "safe."
White to Move and Draw, Again
Last time we presented a less usual "move and draw" stroke problem, and we liked the concept so much, we're presenting yet another of the same ilk. At least subjectively, though, we think this one is a bit easier, but you'll have to draw your own conclusion.
WHITE
White to Move and Draw
W:W14,22,24,25,27,28,K32:B3,11,15,18,19,20,26,K29.
Sketch your solution, and don't erase it until you've clicked on Read More to see if everything is in line.
Fourth Of July Race
Fourth of July, coming up in a few days from the date of publication of this article, is of course the Independence Day holiday here in the US. It's invariably celebrated with fireworks, picnics, and games.... including many a Fourth of July race.
Can you win the race against our relentless clock and solve our July speed problem? Click below to show the problem and start the clock. Our problem is a bit on the easier side, so that you'll have more time to spend at the picnic.
July Speed Problem (easy)
When you have your solution, don't lose time; click on Read More to check your answer.
The Checker Maven is produced at editorial offices in Honolulu, Hawai`i, as a completely non-commercial public service from which no profit is obtained or sought. Original material is Copyright © 2004-2025 Avi Gobbler Publishing. Other material is the property of the respective owners. Information presented on this site is offered as-is, at no cost, and bears no express or implied warranty as to accuracy or usability. You agree that you use such information entirely at your own risk. No liabilities of any kind under any legal theory whatsoever are accepted. The Checker Maven is dedicated to the memory of Mr. Bob Newell, Sr.
