13 is viewed by some as a bit of a "shady" number but we've always liked it. For instance, how can you argue with that great-looking All-American meal above, served by the Lucky 13 Bar and Grill in Salt Lake City?

This is the 13th installment of "Capers on the Kelso" from Willie Ryan's Tricks Traps & Shots of the Checkerboard, and we think you're in luck once again. These pages in Willie's classic book contain an unbelievable wealth of great checker material. Today's position is subtle rather than explosive.

We're still working with Willie's "Variation 3" and in "Note B" of the text we find another fascinating and instructive situation.

Here's the run-up, without commentary.

The correct move here was 6-9. Willie now calls this "a dead loss." Indeed, it is; but White will require patience and technique to bring home the win.

BLACK

WHITE
White to Play and Win

W:W32,30,27,26,25,24,19,14:B18,11,10,8,7,5,3,2.

You don't need to be lucky to solve this one; although the solution is long, it's not nearly as difficult as some of the others in this series. Try your luck; then, for sure you'll luck out when you click your mouse on Read More to see the solution.

Solution

Many variations on this solution are possible. Use your computer engine if you wish to explore further.

White gets the first king, sometimes a winning advantage.

Black gets a king, but it's too late and the king is too immobile.

Not 15-18 31-27.

White Wins. The man on 23 falls after 29-25 24-27. There was no big secret to this win; it just took accurate, methodical, and steady play.