Popularity is fleeting. One day you're in ...

... the next day, you're out.

Our game of checkers, too, has gone through such cycles.

In 1908, a match was played for the championship of Essex County, Massachusetts. One can only imagine with wonder at the popularity of checkers 110 years ago, at a level such that even county championships were vigorously contested.

The match was played between C. O. Mayberry, who was champion of the city of Lynn (yes, there were municipal champions as well), and Frank L. McClellan, the Captain of the Lynn Checker Club (in additional to the local club, the Lynn newspaper published a checker column). In the position below, Mr. Mayberry played Black and Mr. McClellan, White. The setting was originally featured in Teetzel's Canadian Checker Player. Mr. Teetzel opines that Mr. Mayberry must have thought he was going to win, but it was not to be, as Mr. McClellan found a clever draw.

BLACK

WHITE
White to Play and Draw

W:W9,16,18,20,26,30:B1,3,7,11,21,K29.

Checkers is, sadly, far less popular today, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't continue to enjoy the game. Will the problem above prove "popular" with you? We think so, and after you solve it, we're sure you'll enjoy clicking on Read More to check your solution.

Solution

18-15 11x18 26-22 18x25 16-11 7x16 20x11 1-5---A 9-6 5-9 6-2 9-14 2-6 14-17---B 11-7---C 3x10 6x15 17-22 15-18 22-26 30x23 25-30 18-22 30-25 22-26. Drawn---D.

A---Black has nothing else.

B---Careful! 14-18 11-7 White Wins.

C---6-9 or 6-10 lose, for example 6-9 17-22 9-14 22-26 30x23 and now White is down a piece with no compensation.

D---Black can only shuffle between 25 and 30.