The ACF Website wishes a big congratulations to Roy Little, the composer of The Scorpion , which was voted the winner of
Unofficial World Championship Checker Problem Composing Contest #52.
Unofficial World Championship Checker Problem Composing Contest #52.
Roy Little, the Babe Ruth of today's Checker Problem Composers, did it again. His incredible double Zugzwang problem, The Scorpion, swept him to his 21st contest win or tie for 1st. Its 7 votes more than doubled the votes for each of its competitors. Gene Ellison and George Hay voted for it.
Tie for 2nd place, with 3 votes each, was The Trap, featuring 3 false solutions, by Leo Springer (Netherlands); and Roundup, a Zugzwang with an extended preamble, by Ed Atkinson. Kathy Wirthwein voted for The Trap, while Slava Gorin (Russia) and Bob Newell voted for Roundup.
Struggling in last place, with 2 votes, was Stragglers' Struggle, by Bill Salot. Liam Stephens (Ireland) voted for it.
As usual, the composers did not vote.
This contest had 220 visitors, 15 of whom voted.
For those who voted in at least 5 contests, the International Voters' Ladder stands as follows:
1 - Leo Springer (Netherlands), picked 3 winners in 5 tries (60%)
2, 3 & 4 tie - Liam Stephens (Ireland) 10 wins in 20 tries (50%); Slava Gorin (Russia), 7 wins in 14 tries (50%); and Wilma Wolverton 3 wins in 6 tries (50%)
5 - Gene Ellison, 9 wins in 19 tries (47.4%)
6 - Kathy Wirthwein, 8 wins in 17 tries (47.1%)
7 - Richard Marlowe, 2 wins in 5 tries (40%)
8 - George Hay, 7 wins in 20 tries (35.0%)
9 - Lloyd Gordon (Canada), 5 wins in 15 tries (33%)
12 others have either picked fewer than 33% winners or voted in fewer than 5 contests.
Here is how the contest was originally introduced:
It is time to display Zugzwangs again. Those are situations where you allow your opponent optional moves, but they all quickly turn sour. He must either concede your win or draw, or let you demonstrate it. They are a blend of beauty and difficulty for both composers and solvers.
Use these problems to learn how to put your opponent in Zugzwang.
See the maneuvers animated; then press the voting button for the one that impresses you most. It will make the Composer happy and maybe make him the champion. Mark Sokolovsky is the current champion.
Publicly pick the winner to climb the voters' ladder. After voting, just disclose your vote by notifying Bill Salot at the address below the diagrams. Mark Sokolovsky & Leo Springer (Netherlands) currently top the Ladder, each picking 3 winners in 4 tries (75%)
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