Recall from our last story that Tommy Wagner, an aspiring young checker player at a high school in central Florida, had made it onto the Varsity Checker Team. But, alas, it was the second team.

Following his initial disappointment at not making first team, Tommy, under the tutelage of kindly old Uncle Ben, a retired professional checker player who wasn't really Tommy's uncle, played out the season with determination and patience. And so it was when fall came around, with the graduation of some top first team players, there were vacancies.

The head coach, Coach Schann, immediately promoted the two top second team players. That left one vacancy, and Coach was frank about not being sure whether Duwayne Zigley, who played fourth board on second team, or Tommy, who played third board, should get the nod and move up to fifth board on the first team.

"We're going to have a playoff," Coach announced. "Four pairs of games over the course of two afternoons. High score gets the position. In case of a tie, preference goes to Tommy, who is currently on a higher board."

At first Tommy thought this was a little unfair. Hadn't Tommy played a higher board than Duwayne the previous year? Still, Tommy knew he and Zigley were very close in skill, and Tommy didn't dare question Coach. Also, Duwayne had been been doing a lot of training with his own private coach, another retired professional named Ginsberg. So Tommy accepted that he would have to earn his promotion over the board.

The match took place and sure enough, Duwayne and Tommy played even; the first seven games were draws! Tommy had Black in the eighth game and only needed a draw to squeak by and make it to first team.

The game played out to the following position with Tommy to move. He was in a little bit of a situation but all he needed to do was find the draw.

The thing was, Tommy had gotten nervous. His next move would make or break his bid for first team, and he knew it. Furthermore, his clock was running down and he had to make a decision quickly.

Finally, Tommy made his move.

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This is not a difficult problem at all, and well within the reach of a player of Tommy's caliber. Can you match wits with Tommy--- and Duwayne? You likely don't have a promotion at stake, so enjoy the problem and then click on Read More to see the rest of the story, the solution, and many examples of this theme.

Solution, Conclusion, and Further Work

(The solution to today's problem can be found at No. 18 below.)

Tommy played 10-6 and his teammates, who had all gathered to watch the dramatic conclusion of the match, collectively gasped. It was a terrible blunder.

Duwayne of course responded with 16-11 and Tommy, realizing what he had done, resigned. Being a good sportsman, he dutifully shook Duwayne's hand and gave him sincere congratulations, even though his voice was on the point of breaking. Then Tommy left immediately and ran all the way home, hoping he could bring his emotions under control before he had to tell his parents that he lost his promotion bid.

The next day, which was Saturday, Tommy wanted to stay home but his mother pointed out that, as was the case every Saturday morning, Uncle Ben would be waiting on his porch to give Tommy his weekly checker lesson. So despite everything, Tommy made his way over to the kindly old gentleman's residence.

A pitcher of fresh lemonade was already on the little side table when Tommy arrived.

"You don't have to explain anything," Uncle Ben said at once. "Your mother called and told me what happened."

Tommy flushed and wasn't able to speak for a moment. Finally he said, "I hope you aren't too disappointed in me."

"Disappointed? Did you give it your best? Of course you did. And I understand it was a very close thing. Besides, look where you are--- you've moved up to first board on the second team. You'll get a lot more playing time and you're a shoo-in the next time there's an opening. But never mind all that, let's look at the position you lost and see what we can learn from it. Show me."

Tommy set up the position and said, "I should have gotten the draw, shouldn't I?"

"Well, yes, the draw is there, but you do have to know how to go about it. Let's study this a little more."

The lesson went on a little longer than usual, as Uncle Ben demonstrated many variations on the theme of the position, which he called "Perpetual Check." When they were finally done and it was time for Tommy to head home, he said, "Thank you, Uncle Ben. I don't think I'll ever get that one wrong again."

Uncle Ben just smiled. "Have a good week, Tommy," he said, "and I'll see you next Saturday."

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Following is a sample game and many examples. They're worth your attention, and come from Ben Boland's remarkable little book, Familiar Themes in the Game of Checkers.

Game---11-15, 23-19, 9-14, 22-17, 5-9, 26-23, 9-13, 24-20, 15-24, 28-19, 13-22, 25-9, 6-13, 29-25, 10-14, 25-22, 8-11, 22-18, 1-5, 18-9, 5-14, 30-25, 7-10, 25-22, 3-7, 22-18, 14-17, 21-14, 10-17, 18-14, 17-22, 14-9, 13-17, 9-6, 2-9, 19-15, 11-18, 23-5, 22-25, 5-1, 17-22, 1-6, 25-30, 27-24, 7-11, 24-19, 30-25, 6-2, 25-21, 2-7, 21-17, 7-16, 4-8, 32-27, 17-14, 27-23, 22-25, 31-26, 25-30, 26-22, 30-26, 22-18, 14-10, 18-15---Forms No. 18.

PERPETUAL CHECK

1. J. Patterson No. 35 A. D. P. B---3, 8, K---18, 27. W---12, 28, K---6, 10. B. D. 18-23, 10-7 3-10 6-15 8-11 15-8 27-24 28-19 23-16.

2. A. Ross No. 57 A. D. P. B---K---4, 14, 19. W---6, 15, 16. W. D. 15-10, 14-7, 6-2 19-12, 2-11. At times piece on 6 is on 7.

3. J. Saukell, Leeds Wkly. Exp. May 25, 1867, No. 5 Drs. Brd. 1870. B---K---11, 15. W-12 K---3, 23. B. D. 15-10, 23-18, 11-8, 3-7, 10-3, 18-15, 8-11, 15-8, 3-7. No. 88 G. P. Bk.

4. J. H. Phelan, No. 26 Phelan-Kelly, A. C. P. 1875. B---15, 22, 28. W---27, 30. K---11, 13. B. D 22-25, 30-21, 28-32.

5. A. Sinclair, No. 64 L. P. Bk. B---K---22, 23. W---21, 29. K---24, B. D. 23-18, 24-19, 18-14, 19-15, 22-26, 29-25, 26-30, 15-11, 14-18, 11-7, 30-26, 7-10, 26-30, 10-6, 30-26, 6-9, 26-23, 9-13, 18-22. Also No. 187 Tyson and Henmgan A. C. R, Vol. 2, 1889.

6. Dr. T. Brown, No. 8 L. P. Bk. B---K--- 18, 19. W---20, 28. K---10. B. D. 18-23, 10-7, 19-15, 7-3, 15-11, 28-24, 11-15, 3-8, 23-18, 8-12

7. J. A. Kear, No. 94 L. P. Bk. B---21, K---24, W---29, K---31. W. D. 31-26, 24-19, 26-30, 19-23, 29-25, 23-18, 25-22, 18-25, 30-26.

8. G. Price, No. 103 L. P. Bk. B---2, 24. K---23. W---17, 21. K---32. W. D. 17-14, 2-6, 32-28, 24-27, 21-17, 23-18, 28-32, 18-9, 32-23 9-13, 17-14, 13-17, 14-9, 6-13, 23-18.

9. J. Wyllie, No. 512 D. W. Vol. 10. B---2, 4, K---31. W---9, 11, 26. W. D. 26-22, 31-26, 22-17, 26-22, 17-13, 22-18, 9-6, 2-9, 13-6, 18-15, 6-2, 15-8, 2-7.

10. E. W. Spiller, No. 25 D. P. W. B. (Yorkshire Post 30-11.-96). B---12, 15, 21. W---22, 25, 30. B. plays. W. D. 12-16, 22-17, 15-18, 17-13, 16-19, 13-9, 19-23, 9-6, 23-27, 6-2, 27-31, 2-6, 31-27, 6-9, 18-23, 9-13, 23-26, 30-23, 27-18, 25-22, 18-25, 13-17. This Pos. also by W. Veal No 13 N. A. C. B. Vol. 11;, Aug 1901. B---15 18, 21. W---20, 25, 30. W. D.

11. J. A. Price, No. 642 G. P. Bk. B---19, 22, K---25. W---28. K---14, 31. B. D. 19-23, 14-17, 23-27, 17-26, 25-30.

12. J. Wyllie, No. 480 D. W. Vol. 9. B---5, 6, 15, 18. K---19. W---17, 21, 25. K---2, 13. B. D. 19-16 2-9, 5-14, 17-10, 18-22.

13. R. Atwell, No. 98 His Scient. Drs. B--- 21. K---27, 29. W---18, 23. K---5. W. D. 18-14, 27-9, 5-14, 29-25, 14-17.

14. J. White No. 72 H. P. Bk. B---12, 13. K---24. W---23, 26. K---6. W. D. 26-22, 24-27, 23-19, 27-31---A, 6-10, 31-26, 10-15, 26-17, 15-18, 17-21, 18.22.

A---27 23, 6-10, 23-16, 10-15. Works on both sides of board.

15. 8. J. Pickering, No. 76 Newckgram., Oct. 1933. B---6, 7. K---29, W---14, 22. K---5. W. D. 22-17, 6-9, 14-10.

16. P. R. Semple, No. 91 Newckgram., Nov. 1933. B---14, 21, 23. K---28. W---25, 30. K---15. W. D. 15-18, 28-32, 18-9, 32-27, 9-13, 23-26, 30-23, 27-18, 25-22, 18-25, 13-17 as No. 1.

17. G. G. Staines No. 3290 A. C. M. Vol 17. B---10, 13. K---25, 31. W---11, 18, 21, 22. W. D. 11-7, 31-27, 7-2, 27-23, 21-17, 23-21, 2-6.

18. Black---Henderson, White---Ginsberg. 10-7, 16-11, 7-16, 20-4, 12-16, 19-12, 26-10. Drawn---1. No. 128 Third Am. Try. Bk.

1---Editor's Note: This falls into the "perpetual check" pattern after the following additional play: 12-8 10-7 8-3 7-11 to a draw as in previous examples. Alas, our hero Tommy apparently didn't see this.

AVOIDING IDEA

R. A. Knowles, No. 96 Phelan 's A. C. P. 1876. No. 78 L. P. Bk. B---7. K---21, 29, W---15, K---22. B. W. 21-25, 22-26, 25-30, 26-22, 29-25, 22-29, 30-26. C. Hefter, No. 138 A. C. R. Vol. 2, 1889.

B---4, 5. K---3. W---29, K----11. B. W. 3-8, 11-7, 8-12, 7-11, 5-9, 29-25, 9-14, 25-22, 4-8, 11-4, 12-16.

GERM

W. Payne, No. 1 His Introd. to Game of Drs. 1756. B---K---3, 4. W---K---15. W. D. 15-11, 3-8, 11-7.

No. 2, Ibid B---5. K---9, W---K---7, W. D. 7-10, 9-13, 10-14.

No. 3 Ibid. B---K---3, 4, 12. W---K-----10, 11. B. plays. W. D. 3-8, 10-15, 8-3, 15-19, 12-8, 19-15.

The idea is also used in his No 1 Crit. Sit. to win games.

B---21. K---25. W---K---26, 27. Either to move. W. W. The King on 26 holds everything. The idea is also employed in his single corner draw, also Avery s 3rd Pos.

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Uncle Ben's Porch is a purely fictitious account of the retirement years of the great checker author Ben Boland. The articles in this series contain much detail and producing them is prone to errors. Please help out by reporting anything amiss to unclebensporch@checkermaven.com. Our thanks to Lloyd Gordon for proofreading and correcting more errors than we'd like to admit.