You might be a blue collar worker, such as the plumbers shown above.

Or you might be a white collar worker or even a business executive.

Labor Day is for all of you and for all of us, as we recognize once again that all honest work deserves respect, and that every worker is an important contributor to our economy and our way of life. It's a great American (and Canadian) holiday.

For this celebration, in our Checker Maven columns we typically turn to Tom Wiswell, a great American checker champion, checker writer and teacher, and one of the most outstanding checker problemists in the history of the game. Today we invite you to try out The Sea Dog, which Mr. Wiswell dedicated to William Grover, the brother of another checker great, Ken Grover. William Grover served in the Merchant Marine during World War II and became a prisoner of war.

BLACK

WHITE
White to Play and Win

W:WK2,9,22,25,27,31,32:BK1,15,18,20,23,24,28

As is typical for Mr. Wiswell, this is an elegant problem and you will enjoy solving it. When you're done, click on Read More to see the run-up and the solution.

Solution

9-5---A 23-26 2-7---B 26-30---C 7-11 30x21 22-17 21x14 27-23 18x27 11x9 WW---D

A---This odd-looking move into the dog hole is the only move to win. 2-7 only draws: 2-7 15-19 22x15 1-5 27x18 5x23 15-10 23-18 etc. and White cannot win.

B---This move can now be played.

C---The computer gives 1-6 but the text is more natural and would be played by most checkerists.

D---An amazing fiinish which would not have been possible had the White piece not been in the dog hole on square 5.

The photo shown here embodies the spirit of William Grover's times. Enjoy Labor Day!