The Checker Maven
The World's Most Widely Read Checkers and Draughts Publication
Bob Newell, Editor-in-Chief
Published every Saturday morning in Honolulu, Hawai`i
The Speed Problem Returns
Shades of the Terminator! Luckily whoever this is hasn't showed up at our offices!
What is back at our offices is our old favorite speed problem. We haven't run one in a little while, so today we're returning to that theme and subjecting you once again to our unforgiving Javascript clock. The good news, though, is that the problem is very easy.
Oh .. the bad news? You'll have five seconds to solve it!
Fear not. Most players will see it at a glance, but if it takes you a little longer, no matter. Working it out is what really counts.
When you're ready, click on the link below. After you've solved it come back and click on Read More to verify your solution.
August Speed Problem (very easy, 5 seconds)
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Labor Day 2015
Public Domain Pictures CC0
Each year we mark Labor Day, the celebration of the men and women who make America what it is --- the workers of our nation. From factory worker to small business owner, from taxi driver to doctor, millions of Americans keep our nation going and help make it strong. We're not ones to make class distinctions; we believe that all honest work is worthy of respect and recognition.
The sketch above is of one of the very first Labor Day celebrations, in New York City way back in 1882.
Often on great American holidays we turn to Tom Wiswell, but today we instead offer a setting by another great American problemist of days gone by, Charles Hefter. Mr. Hefter's settings meet Mr. Wiswell's criteria of being natural, clever, and pleasing. Here's one that's simple in form and challenging in execution.
BLACK
Black to Play and Win
B:W23,21,19,13:B14,6,3,1.
The position is from a game played about 80 years ago; in the actual event, the game was drawn. Mr. Hefter later showed that Black has a win. Can you find it? Labor away and when your work is done, click on Read More to see the solution and notes.
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Now We Have a Nice Problem
In the chart above, Apple Computer has the "nice problem" of having to figure out what to do with all the money they've made.
"A nice problem to have" is a phrase often heard when someone faces a "dilemma" in which any choice is a good one. Here in Hawai`i, we sometimes have to decide between going to the beach or going to the mall. That's considered a nice problem to have, especially in January.
"A nice problem" in checkers of course means something else, and this week's position, attributed to W. J. Wood, is an example. Mr. Wood himself, after presenting the run-up, stated "Now we have a nice problem." Did he intend a pun or play on words? We rather doubt it.
BLACK
Black to Play and win
B:W29,21,20,K6:B16,K14,11,9,7.
We'll warn you that the solution is very long, but it is also very methodical, and you should be able to work out the general direction if not every detail. There is a trap or two along the way, however, so be careful, and when you've given it a nice try, click your mouse nicely on Read More to see the solution and notes.
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Fourth of July Celebration
Pexels CC0
This year our Fourth of July column appears on the day itself, America's birthday. It's a time to reaffirm our patriotism and honor the greatness of America. At The Checker Maven, we're proud American patriots who are profoundly grateful for the opportunities and blessings that come from living in America, and thankful to the men and women who give so much to defend our freedom.
Pexels CC0
There's nothing like a Fourth of July picnic to celebrate, and there's nothing like a Tom Wiswell problem to make checkers part of the day. Mr. Wiswell was a great American player, problemist, and patriot, one of the "Greatest Generation" who served in our armed forces during the Second World War.
Here's the problem.
WHITE
White to Play and Win
W:W28,26,K21,13:BK29,20,10,5.
Mr. Wiswell called this one "Strolling Through The Park" because he happened upon some players in the park (presumably Central Park in New York City) and saw the White player miss the win. We wouldn't say that the problem is super-hard, but it does require a good eye and good judgment.
Take a little stroll with this one, then walk your mouse to Read More to see the solution.
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Burning the Candle at Both Ends
Today's Checker School entry is a fascinating position we call "Burning the Candle at Both Ends," because the terms could just as well have been "White to Play and Draw." To be sure, this isn't in keeping with the traditional meaning of the phrase, but to us it seemed rather apt. See if you agree: First White must find the right move to save the draw. But then Black has the same task and must hew to the correct path. It's a double-ended problem with both ends burning.
BLACK
WHITE
White to Play, Black Draws
W:W31,27,25,21,20,19:B14,13,12,11,10,5.
Can you work out both sides of this very interesting endgame? We hope you won't have to burn your own candle at both ends in so doing, and rather than stay up all night, you can always click on Read More to see the solution, a sample game, and detailed notes.
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Not So Fast
Last month we brought you "not quite" a speed problem, and this month is no different. We originally were going to publish today's entry as a speedster, but the position requires a little thought, so again we're dispensing with the JavaScript clock and letting you take all the time you need.
WHITE
White to Play and Win
W:W26,K21,K12,11:BK29,K4,K3,1.
At first glance (aren't those famous last words?) it looks like White has it sewed up, as all three Black kings have no safe moves. That just leaves the single Black man ... oh ... wait ... Black has "the move" and White can't necessarily trap the Black man ... hmmm ... not so simple after all.
The winning technique is well worth knowing, so take your time and see if you can figure it out; then click on Read More to see the solution and notes.
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A Textbook Win
Rawpixel CC0
"Hitting the books" is something we were admonished to do throughout our academic years, from grade school all the way through graduate school. There was certainly a lot of knowledge in those weighty textbooks, and though acquiring that knowledge wasn't always an enjoyable experience, hitting the books usually paid off.
The same is true with checkers, although we have to admit to enjoying checker study a little more than we enjoyed things like tensor analysis or the works of Kant in the original German. Besides, if we want to be good at checkers, book learning is a necessity, not an option.
Today's study definitely could have come from a checker text.
BLACK
Black to Play and Win
B:W28,21,K15:BK27,13,9.
White has just played the losing 19-15. What should White have played? And more importantly, how can Black win? This problem is another example of the beautiful subtlety of checkers.
It's only fair to warn you that it will take Black a little while to win this. But the process is no more than a logical and methodical application of textbook principles.
Write a chapter in your own checker textbook by solving this problem, then click on Read More to see our own annotated solution.
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Not Exactly a Speed Problem
Rawpixel CC0
Today's problem was sent by regular contributors Lloyd and Josh Gordon of Toronto, Ontario. We were going to feature it as a speed problem, and indeed there are some speed problem aspects here. But the problem goes deeper than the first few moves, as you'll soon see.
So this month, we'll spare you the Javascript clock and let you take as much time as you need. We don't doubt that you'll see the "speed" part pretty quickly. After that, you'll likely need to think it through.
Here's the position.
WHITE
White to Play and Win
W:W32,30,27,24,21,15,K2:BK31,22,20,14,12,3,1.
It's an interesting study. Take all the time you need, then click on Read More to see the solution.
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The Joker
PICRYL CC0
It's been a while since we featured a Chris Nelson problem. Mr. Nelson was a checker analyst and composer who lived in that one-time hotbed of checkers, Brooklyn, New York.
Today's problem gets its name from Tom Wiswell, who says it has fooled many an expert with a "joker" or false solution. Mr. Wiswell continues, "We doubt that you will get it the first time."
WHITE
White to Play and Win
W:W26,K10,K7,5:B28,K21,17,1.
Don't let the joke be on you. When you think you've got it, check twice and see if you've really solved it. Then click on Read More to see that it really wasn't that hard after all.
Or was it?
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The Fastest Speedster Ever
The fastest speedster in the world is supposedly the Hennessey Venom GT, which reached a measured speed of 270.49 miles per hour in 2014, although there's one little hitch. It didn't go into the record books because the run was made in only one direction; apparently, an official record for a production car requires the averaging of two runs in opposite directions. You can buy one of these, by the way, for around a million dollars.
Today we present what is probably the easiest problem we've ever published in the more than ten year history of The Checker Maven. Naturally, we're offering it as a speed problem, and here too there's one little hitch.
We're giving you just three seconds to solve it. But at least it won't cost you anything.
If you're an expert player, you'll get it in a fraction of a second. The rest of us might need a couple of seconds. And even if you don't get it in three seconds, you'll get it before long.
Click on the link below when you're ready, and keep your eyes wide open! Come back and click on Read More to verify your solution.
April Speed Problem (Very easy, three seconds)
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The Checker Maven is produced at editorial offices in Honolulu, Hawai`i, as a completely non-commercial public service from which no income is obtained or sought. Original material is Copyright © 2004-2026 Avi Gobbler Publishing. Other material is public domain, AI generated, as attributed, or licensed under CC1, CC2, CC3 or CC4 and the various CC options. Information presented on this site is offered as-is, at no cost, and bears no express or implied warranty as to accuracy or usability. You agree that you use such information entirely at your own risk. No liabilities of any kind under any legal theory whatsoever are accepted. The Checker Maven is dedicated to the memory of Mr. Bob Newell, Sr.
