We have to admit that last month's Fausto Dalumi problem was well into the "difficult" category. So this month, we'll feature a problem that is a little less strenuous. It was originally published under the theme "The Devil and the Deep" and we think you'll see why when you arrive at the solution.

BLACK

WHITE
White to Play and Win

W:W27,15,K4:BK6,K3

We don't think this problem will sink you, but if you find yourself bedeviled, just click on Read More and the solution will surface.

In this month's lesson in our ongoing Checker School series, we learn a valuable lesson in saving the game; in other words, looking for a way to draw even when our position doesn't appear to have too many chances. Here's the position:

WHITE

BLACK
Black to Play and Draw

B:WK26,K24,K23:BK32,K25,21.

This situation, attributed to a J. Cornock, does indeed look tough for the Black side, who have little mobility and a very narrow choice of moves. Yet, one of them is good enough to save the draw. Can you find it?

Give it a try but don't forget, you can always save time and frustration by clicking on Read More to see the solution, with detailed notes and a sample game.

Our first set of speed problems for the year are truly worthy of the title. They both fall decidedly into the "easy" category, but as we know our readers enjoy a challenge, we're setting the time limits at record lows--- five seconds for the first problem and ten seconds for the second! We think this should satisfy everyone. Advanced players can try to sight-solve the problems in the rather strict time limits allotted. Less experienced players can simply look for the solutions and ignore the clock (well, yes, that is easier said than done).

Are you ready? Click below to start each problem--- faster than greased lightning!

February Speed Problem No. 1 (five seconds)

February Speed Problem No. 2 (ten seconds)

When you're finished, slide your mouse over and zap Read More to see the solutions.

In the world of sports, sometimes a play is a really close call and quite an argument about it takes place. Today's checker problem surely falls into that category. Take a good look at the position below, with White to move. How would you call this one? White win, Black win, or draw? Show it to your checker friends and you're bound to generate a lot of, shall we say, animated discussion (we'd hate to accuse checker players of having heated arguments, after all).

BLACK

WHITE
White to Play, What Result?

W:WK29,23,19:BK30,5,1.

Make the call, and then do an "instant replay" to demonstrate the correctness of your decision. We'll just give you a bit of fair warning: this one isn't so easy, and just may surprise you. What do you say?

There's one call, though, we can always make without error: it's a certainty that clicking on Read More will bring you to the solution.

We haven't run a "stroke" problem in a little while, though it's something we like to do for the sake of variety on the first Saturday of some months. Today we return to that theme, and present a problem that was considered "easy" by the author.

Much as the photo above represents the bizarre side of architecture, stroke problems are certainly the bizarre side of the world of checkers. You either love them or hate them, and we think that depends in no small measure on whether you're able to solve them. Stroke problems call upon your ability to visualize long, forced series of moves. They are an excellent test of your skills, but seldom, if ever, an exercise in practical play.

So here's our so-called "easy" problem.

BLACK

WHITE
White to Play and Win

W:WK5,6,K9,10,12,19:B4,K11,K27,28,K32..

Could you find your way through, or is all simply too bizarre? Whatever your result, click on Read More to see the "easy" solution. Did we say "easy"? You may or may not agree!

Are you celebrating the upcoming New Year's Eve on an elegant cruise ship off the coast of O`ahu? Well, don't feel bad, we're not either (though maybe some day we might). We'll likely stay home in our Honolulu location and watch the goings on from our lanai.

We'd like to present you with an alternative, though, to parties and dancing. We have a checker problem that is difficult enough to carry you through the evening and into the early hours of the morning. It's non-alcoholic, doesn't require driving or pushing your way through a crowded dance floor, and is completely free. What else can you find on New Year's Eve that doesn't come with a stiff price tag? (That's why we're skipping the cruise this year, in fact; at nearly $300 per person we'd much rather play checkers instead.)

Here is a position that even champion Tom Wiswell called "challenging."

BLACK

WHITE
White to Play and Draw
W:W28,27,25,23,22,18,17,14:B20,16,13,11,9,5,3,1.

Can you cruise to a solution this New Year's Eve, or even sooner? There's no need to wait, though; clicking on Read More will ensure a smooth voyage straight to the answer.

In today's entry from our Checker School series, we have a most interesting position, as shown below.

WHITE

BLACK
Black to Play and Win

B:W25,K12,K2:BK11,10,K1.

In this position, Black's mobility is definitely in the plus column. And as our current World Champion has often stated, checkers is all about mobility. In fact, Black has a very neat win here. The position is almost 120 years old and is attributed to R. D. Yates. Well over a century later we find that it still entertains and instructs. It's a fitting tribute to the timeless attraction and value of the game of checkers.

Try to trap White, but don't be trapped yourself: clicking on Read More will move you to the solution, a sample game, and explanatory notes.

Our title is how famed problemist Tommie Wiswell referred to today's puzzler, which he drew from actual play. It's one of those cases in which the win is "obvious" but actually demonstrating how it's done is the real trick.

BLACK

WHITE
White to Play and Win

W:W12,K18,22:B5,13,21.

The Black pieces are all off on the side of the board, while White has good mobility and a king to boot. So the win should be easy, shouldn't it? But Mr. Wiswell notes that in play over the board, the White player missed the winning continuation. Can you do better?

When you've settled on the winning course of action, click on Read More to see the solution.

In the United States it's Thanksgiving weekend, bringing one of our favorite times of family, food, and celebration. In the spirit of the weekend, we'd like to bring you an especially elegant checker problem which we're sure will provide you with much pleasure. It's part of our Checker School series and looks like this.

BLACK

WHITE
White to Play and Win

W:WK10,20,22:B1,9,28.

The problem is due to R. Martins, and while the solution is not overly long, it may surprise you; and, like Thanksgiving dinner, the problem is incredibly rich in content. Take your time, have a slice of pumpkin pie and a cup of coffee, and enjoy. When you're all done, click on Read More to see the solution, a sample game, and detailed explanatory notes.

Willie Ryan, possibly the only checkerist ever to achieve anything close to "rock star" status, takes us back to his youth in this month's installment from Tricks Traps & Shots of the Checkerboard. Let's listen as Willie tells us about a trap he learned in those early years. Editior's note: the photo above is definitely not Willie Ryan!

"When I was just a boy of 13, I learned this trap on the Defiance opening by John Drummond, which enabled me to win more than a few games. The basic germ or idea utilized in this example is known as the "Brooklyn"--- a tactical device that has almost as many variations of application as the versatile in-and-outer.

WHITE

BLACK
Black to Play and Win

B:W31,30,26,23,21,20,19,15:B14,12,10,9,8,3,2,1.

A---The old and somewhat difficult Andrew Anderson defense. A better defense for white is: 22-18, 15-22, 26-17, 11-15, 24-20, etc., as given in my book, Scientific Checkers Made Easy.

B---To the gallows! The correct play here is: 31-27, 8-11, 18-15, 11-18, 21-17, 14-21, 23-5, 2-6, 27-23, 10-15, 19-10, 6-15, 20-16, 12-19, 23-16, 15-19, 16-11, 19-24, 26-23, ending in a draw."

Young or old, one thing is certain: clicking on Read More will show you the snappy and pleasing solution.