The Checker Maven

Strokes in June

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In order to avoid reuse of the "golf stroke" pun, we've gone with a tennis stroke instead. The point is that winter in North America seemed especially tough this year (or at least so we hear[1]), and we'd bet that many of you are happy to be able to get out and make a few strokes on the tennis court or golf course.

But, as a checker fan, surely you'll come back in at the end of the day, and, perhaps after dinner, want to take on a checker stroke, one of those mind-bending fantasy problems that may not be practical but certainly provide great visualization practice. With that in mind, here's one that we would not call easy.

BLACK
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WHITE
White to Play and Win

W:W24,22,20,19,18,17,14,13,9:BK28,27,26,K25,K21,8,7,1.

Take a swing at this rather entertaining position, then swing your mouse over to Read More to see the solution.null

[1] This year we did not have snow in Honolulu(!) although the temperature did get as cold as 62F/17C.



Solution

9-6 1x10 14-9 21x5---A 13-9 5x16 20x2 25x18 2-6 28x19 6x15 WW.

A---21x16 20x2 25x18 2-6 28x19 6x15 WW. This less likely continuation was probably not what the composer had in mind. Does this spoil the problem or make it unfair? We don't believe so.

06/02/18 - Category: Problems -Printer friendly version-
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