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
Noticing missing images? An explanation is here.
Lightning Stroke
Lightning storms are common during summer in much of North America. Some lightning-prone areas have a keraunic level of over 100, which means there is lightning activity an average of 100 days per year. But science marches on, and the traditional keraunic level statistic is being replaced with the more informative flash density measurement. That's another topic, though, and a rather electrifying one.
This month we present a stroke problem that is neither modern nor difficult, but definitely informative. We think you'll agree that the solution is like a stroke of lightning: quick and powerful, no matter what your means of measurement.
WHITE
White to Play and Win
W:W17,14,13,11,7:B24,23,22,K21,5,2.
Blitz this problem and then flash your mouse on Read More to see the solution.
Famous Shots IX
Our Checker School series of Famous Shots concludes this month, and as in previous entries, we ask you to solve the shot, name the shot, and, if you wish, name the "shot" in the photo above. During the past eight months we've taken a tour of the checker "big shots"; these are positions that every learner must master and every master must know.
Here's the finale, with the full run-up. Once again the game is not especially well played, but the ending is great.
11-15 23-18 8-11 27-23 4-8 23-19 10-14 19x10 14x23 26x19 7x14 19-15 11x18 22x15 14-18 21-17---A 12-16 24-20 16-19 20-16 2-7 17-13---B 9-14---C 31-26 5-9 25-21---D 18-23---E 29-25---F 14-18---G 21-17---H 7-11---I 16x7 3x10 (see diagram)
A---24-19 is probably better, although deep computer analysis doesn't shown a Black advantage.
B---Ouch. 25-22 was best. This move might actually lose for White.
C---19-23 was better.
D---Loses; 16-12 was better.
E---7-11 would have won. This return blunder is only good for a draw.
F---Loses again! 16-12 was fine.
G---Gives the draw back again! 7-11 wins.
H---Doesn't lose but gives Black a real edge. White just doesn't seem to want to play 16-12.
I---8-12 was best. The game now unravels for Black.
WHITE
White to Play and Win
W:W32,30,28,26,25,17,15,13:B23,19,18,10,9,8,6,1.
This one isn't too difficult, at least as far as these things go, so shoot it down and then click on Read More to check your answer.
July Speed Problem
It's summer, and we hope you are able to get out and enjoy summer sports, such as a speedy ride on a bicycle. The winter of 2013-14 was pretty harsh in most of North America, and we're certain you're happy to be outdoors. Do it while you can, summer doesn't last forever. Unless you're in Hawai`i, of course!
Our speed problem for July isn't especially hard, but we're still allowing you 30 seconds to solve it. Such generosity! It's a very practical setting and we hope you like it. When you're ready, click on the link below; then come back and click on Read More to verify your solution.
July Speed Problem (30 seconds, relatively easy)
4th of July Special
Every year we say the same thing: we love celebrating the Fourth of July, America's birthday. We are proud to be American patriots, and invite our American readers to celebrate along with us.
Similarly, every Fourth of July we turn to a man who served America with honor and distinction, Mr. Tom Wiswell. This year, we present a situation from one of his matches with Millard Hopper, yet another patriot and, like Mr. Wiswell, a champion go-as-you-please player.
Here's the situation.
BLACK
Black to Play and Draw
B:W32,30,27,25,24,22,17,14:B18,15,10,8,7,5,3,2.
It's quite a complex situation but the draw is there and you can work it out with some effort. Find the solution and then celebrate by clicking on Read More to check your answer and to see the transcription of the full game.
An Untimed Speed Problem
Today, instead of the usual timed speed problem with which we often open the month, we're presenting an untimed speed problem. It's one that can be solved fairly quickly, but which we think is best enjoyed without the pressure of our relentless Javascript clock.
The problem was sent to us by Lloyd and Joshua Gordon, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Lloyd and Josh are a father and son team who often send us interesting positions from their games.
WHITE
White to Play and Win
W:W32,28,23,22,21,10:B15,14,13,9,3,1.
Can you slug this one out? Take as long as you wish and then smash your mouse on Read More to see the solution.
The Luck of the Draw
There are games of skill, games of luck, and games that combine the two. In the game of checkers, luck plays a small role: you might catch your opponent on a bad day, or in a Swiss system tournament, maybe you'll get an easier match-up than another player with the same score. But that's about it.
The following problem was first published in 1929, and from the looks of it, perhaps you need to get lucky to find the solution. It's by Fausto Dalumi, an Italian who like so many others came to live and work in the United States. Mr. Dalumi earned a well-deserved reputation as a composer of elegant and challenging checker problems.
WHITE
White to Play and Draw
W:W24,K22,K2:B23,16,K9,4.
Feeling lucky? We think you'll need more skill than luck to find the solution, but the problem is a dandy. Give it your best and then click on Read More to see the solution.
Memorial Day Special
This column will appear on Memorial Day weekend; Monday will be Memorial Day, a time to honor the men and women who have sacrificed so much to defend America's freedom. As it is so often and so truly said, "Freedom is not free," and The Checker Maven adds its own salute in honor of the memory of the patriots who gave their all on our behalf.
During the Second World War, checker expert Millard Hopper visited our service men and women to entertain them with checker lectures, lessons, and exhibitions. Mr. Hopper gave some of his problem settings war-themed names, such as his "Solomon Island Slam." Some of the other problem names would today be considered to contain racially offensive language, but back then, America was at war, and we need to be more understanding than critical.
We never found the exact position for the "Solomon Island Slam" so instead we'd like to offer the problem below. There are two possible winning lines, depending on Black's choices, but in both cases White's key first move is the same. Can you find it?
WHITE
White to Play and Win
B:W28,24,20,18,K5:BK26,12,11,10,2.
When you've got the answer, click on Read More to verify your solution.
May Stroke
After so many years of publication, we're out of "stroke" puns and find it necessary to do repeats. But the photo above is definitely a harbinger of spring and summer; rowing crews out on the water, enjoying outdoor activity, perhaps after a long winter.
Today's problem is relatively easy and is set with only four pieces per side; it's a little more practical than the more complex, artificial stroke problems.
WHITE
White to Play and Win
W:W22,19,15,6:BK24,23,K21,20.
Solve this one from the diagram, if you can, for great practice in visualization. Then click on Read More to verify your solution.
Horse-Radish
Horseradish, of course, is a well known condiment, with a sharp taste and sinus-clearing effect. It's often enjoyed with prime rib of beef, on hot dogs, and in numerous other ways. It's not to everyone's taste; you either love it or you don't.
Horse-radish, in checkers (note the hyphenation) is an older term not much heard today that refers to moves that are sharp, like horseradish, but not to everyone's taste, because they are usually unsound or at least questionable in theory. They're all about over the board play; a horse-radish move, even if inferior, may be hard to refute on the spot if you're not familiar with the line.
You won't be surprised to hear that Willie Ryan was a fan of horse-radish, and the following problem comes from a horse-radish line in one of his earliest books.
WHITE
White to Play and Win
W:W14,15,20,21,23,25,26,27,30,31,32:B2,3,4,5,6,7,8,11,16,17,18.
Is this sort of thing to your taste, or is it a little too sharp? Does it clear your thinking? Give it a taste, and then click on Read More to see the solution.
Is It Spring Yet?
Technically, it's already spring in the Northern Hemisphere, as the vernal equinox always arrives in March. Whether or not it's warmed up in your location is something else, and since these columns are written some weeks in advance, we really can't say. Hopefully, the long winter is coming to an end for most North Americans. (If you're in the Southern Hemisphere, we realize you're moving into winter, and we can only hope on your behalf that it will be a mild one.)
To herald the arrival of spring, we have an easy speed problem that will entertain without baffling.
April Speed Problem (Easy; 10 seconds)
When you've warmed to the answer, warm up your mouse by clicking on Read More to check your solution.
The Checker Maven is produced at editorial offices in Honolulu, Hawai`i, as a completely non-commercial public service from which no profit is obtained or sought. Original material is Copyright © 2004-2025 Avi Gobbler Publishing. Other material is public domain, as attributed, or licensed under Creative Commons. 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.
