The Detroit Doublejumpers of the National Checker League were on spring break, and their superstar captain, Marvin J. Mavin, had a week off.

Now recall that in our last story, Marvin got into trouble when his Valentine's Day gift to his wife, Priscilla, was a love poem written by a computer. It took Marvin a little while to make things up with her, but a $100,000 emerald ring was a good first step. However, there was to be a second step.

"You're forgiven," Priscilla said over Sunday morning breakfast in the breakfast room of her 5,000 square foot luxury condo, "or at least almost."

"Huh?" Marvin replied. "Ain't that fancy ring enough?"

"I do appreciate the gift, dear, even if it was a couple of weeks late, and even if the stone was a bit on the small side. However, there's one thing you'll need to do for me and then we'll say you've paid your debt to me."

"Do? Like what?"

"Well, seeing as how you're off this week, and seeing as how on Saturday night there's the annual black-tie fundraiser for the Art Museum, I thought you might help out."

"Black tie --- I ain't got no black tie."

"Oh, Marvin, we've been through this before. You'll rent from the usual place, Twirly Tuxedos and Gaudy Gowns. But that's not the point."

"So what is?" Marvin ws beginning to shake his foot and push his fork around his plate, sure signs of nervousness.

"Why, I've set up an exhibition! You'll play a game against your old friend, Dmitri Tovarischky. Attendees will bet on the winner, with all of the money going to the Art Museum. The one who bets the most on the actual winner will be named Patron of the Year, a great honor. Most attendees would pay several hundred thousand for that title."

"This is nuts!" Marvin exclaimed. "Dmitri ain't my old friend or any kind of friend neither. He's a total ---"

"Don't say it, Marvin. In any event complaining won't help. It's all arranged. You're committed."

"What kind a folks would pay a few hundred grand for some dumb museum title? And I ain't gonna play wearing no monkey suit. In fact I ain't gonna play at all!"

"I would be careful if I were you, dear. Yes, you are going to play. Yes, you are going to wear a tuxedo. And especially, you are going to be polite to the people who support the museum with large contributions. In fact, a little fawning, bowing and scraping might be in order."

The discussion didn't go on for much longer. Marvin knew there was no way out. But Dmitri? The very thought of him made Marvin ill. (Editor's note: Marvin's experiences over the years with Dmitri have been related in a number of previous Checker Maven stories.)

It was the night of the gala. Marvin had spent an uncomfortable couple of hours at Twirly Tuxedos getting fitted for a rental that would cost about $1,000 for this one event.

Marvin and Priscilla arrived at the downtown Swank Hotel at a fashionably late hour. The hotel ballroom was filling with men in formal attire, and women in evening gowns and sporting glittering jewelry. Admission alone was $50,000 per person. It was an affair for the wealthiest of the Detroit area's wealthy.

Dinner was something that was said to be duck but was surely the usual banquet rubber chicken, accompanied by unidentifiable side dishes. But, as it was prepared by a three star Michelin chef, everyone raved about it and said how it was well worth the $50,000 price of admission. Marvin started to make a remark about the food but Priscilla quickly cut him off. "Remember, Marvin, grovel a little tonight," she admonished.

There was a betting board for the upcoming checker match. The board only announced the total amount bet but didn't break it out by player or bidder. By the time the event's emcee announced that the match would commence in just 30 minutes, the total pool was at nearly ten million dollars. The emcee noted that betting was running quite a bit behind the previous year and that the patrons needed to hurry if they were to have a chance at becoming Patron of the Year.

Soon Marvin and Dmitri were called to the front of the ballroom, where a small stage had been set up with a table and chairs. An elegant checker set and board was on the table.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the emcee announced, "tonight two top professionals will contest a match for charity. The winner will be awarded the prestigious title of Art Museum Checker Champion and a generous grand prize of two museum entry tickets, good for use on any Monday morning of the winner's choice. That's a $20 value.

"The contestants will play on a diamond encrusted checker board, with ruby and ivory checker pieces. Use of this set was donated by Toys for the Rich Only, who stand ready to meet all your high-end requirements for one of a kind toys and games."

Marvin and Dmitri met at center stage amid great applause from the patrons. The betting pool closed at $15 million, which the emcee declared to have now exceeded the previous year's amount.

There was a very brief and unenthusiastic handshake between the two rivals.

"Checkers boy," Dmitri said, "we meet one time more and I am ready for crushing you again like last time."

"Uh, listen here you little Commie, I won that game as I recall, and I'm gonna win this one too."

"Checkers boy is dreaming," said Dmitri. "Prepare for humilating losing."

The match began. Other than the clinking of champagne and wine glasses, the ballroom was exceptionally quiet. All eyes were on the stage as the game progressed.

After about an hour, the following position was reached with Marvin to play.

Dmitri was grinning. "Now what," he said. "What you are going to do, checkers boy? I suggest resign. Save some time. I am wanting nice glass of champagne to celebrate victory and don't want to wait more longer."

"Stuff it," Marvin said.

The patrons knew the game was at a critical juncture. The silence in the ballroom broke and cheers of both "Marvin!" and "Dmitri!" went up. Finally, in the increasing din, Marvin made his move.

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Did you ever play checkers wearing a tuxedo? We suppose it's possible, although surely not a common thing. Do you have a checker rival at the level of Dmitri's rivalry with Marvin? We certainly hope that if you do, you are on more cordial terms. But all that aside, would you be able to win this match? See if you can, and then click on Read More to see the solution and the rest of the story.

Solution and Conclusion

Play continued as follows.

7-10 14x7 15-10 7x14 27-23 18x27 16-11 8x15 19x10 28x19 1-6 14x7 6x15 White Wins.

Marvin had won! He stood up from the table and offered to shake hands with Dmitri, but Dmitri had already left the stage and disappeared through a service door.

The emcee announced, "Congratulations to Marvin J. Mavin, the 2025 Art Museum Checker Champion!"

The crowd gave Marvin a standing ovation. Finally, after numerous bows and waves to the audience, Marvin left the stage and found Priscilla waiting for him at their table.

"Sure could use a beer," he said, but before Priscilla could respond, a large athletic looking middle aged man came up to Marvin and stood directly in front of him, his head not even six inches from Marvin's face.

"A beer?" the man said. "It figures for a low-life like you. Beer! How pedestrian! But listen here ... "

"Hey pal, back off, you're kinda in my personal space ... " Marvin began, but he was quickly cut off.

"Yeah, 'pal', I'm in your space all right and you're going to explain to me why you won that game."

"Explain? Uh, I like, you know, play to win and stuff. It's kinda the idea."

"Well, 'pal', it just so happens that I bet big on Dmitri and was counting on being Patron of the Year, and you went and wrecked it for me. So you owe me. You're gonna pay me back the $250,000 I bet or I'm gonna smash your ugly face." The man raised his fist and looked as if he were going to strike Marvin. "You've got ten seconds before I ... "

"Oh, yeah?" said Priscilla, who had heard the whole conversation. "We'll see about this!" Quickly, she picked up a champagne bottle from the table and with a rapid and forceful motion smashed it over the man's head. He collapsed to the floor, unconscious.

"You don't mess with my husband!" Priscilla exclaimed and then, looking down at her evening gown, continued, "and my gown --- it's ruined! You'll be getting a bill for it, 'pal'!"

Marvin just smiled. "Thanks honey," he said, "now whaddya say we blow this joint and go get a nice cold one?"

"You got it," Priscilla replied, taking Marvin's hand as they headed for the exit.

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We hope you enjoyed today's problem (please note that the order of jumps can vary but the results are the same). It was published in 1892 and attributed only to 'Nettete." We have no further information on the problem or the composer.