The photo above is of what's known as a "full English breakfast" or often "a heart attack on a plate." The photographer (credited above) calls it "the breakfast of champions" although that's a trademarked slogan of General Mills; however it's also the title of a novel by Kurt Vonnegut.

We won't get into the complexities of intellectual property law here, but Willie Ryan's use of the term "Champion's Choice" to describe today's checker study certainly doesn't conflict with the aforementioned trademark. Of course we have no doubt that many checkerists consume the cereal which is the subject of the trademark, but that's merely by the way.

As we've mentioned before, the last installments of Willie Ryan's Tricks Traps & Shots of the Checkerboard are pretty long and complex. We've broken today's study into two parts. We'll present the second part in our next regular installment.

The study looks at the Cross Choice opening and it's fascinating to say the least. Let's let Willie tell us more.

"The Cross Choice opening, formed by 11-15, 23-18, 9-14, has long been a favorite battleground of the champions, and some of the most spectacular wins on the record have been scored on it. The following analytical study of this colorful debut bristles with brilliant play and unusual combinations:

11-15	17-13	7-10
23-18	2-6---C	21-17*---F3
9-14	23-18*---D,2	16-19
18-11	14-23	29-25---G
8-15	27-18	19-24---H
22-17	10-14---E	28-19
4-8	31-27*---F	15-24
25-22	14-23	25-21*
8-11---A,1	27-18	3-8---I,
26-23---B	12-16---F1	to the
6-9	24-20---F2	diagram

A---7-11 is also good, as shown in Variation 1.

B---As played by Champions Rubin and Hunt. In view of the improved attack innovated at C, this 26-23 move will henceforth occupy a lower rating among the master minds. Probably the best move here for a draw is---B1: 17-13, 11-16, 22-17, 16-20 (16-19, 29-25, 7-11, 24-20, 2-7, 27-24, may be used as a plausible alternative), 26-23, 7-11, 29-25, 3-7, 24-19 (23-19, 5-9, 25-22, 14-18, 17-14, 18-25, 14-5, 25-29, 21-17, 11-16, 17-14, 16-23, 27-11, 20-27, 32-23, 7-16, 14-7, 2-11, 31-26, 11-15, 23-19, etc. produces the draw), 15-24, 28-19, 11-15, 32-28, 15-24, 28-19, 7-11, 31-26*, 11-15, 19-16, 12-19, 23-16, 15-19, 26-23, 19-26, 30-23, 10-15, 17-10, 15-19,10-7, 19-26, 27-23, 2-11, 16-7, 26-31, 23-19, 31-26, 19-16, 26-23, 25-22. Sam Levy, Manchester, England, 1937.

B1---The computer thinks 7-11 and 8-11 are about equally good and finds 17-13 to be a lesser choice---Ed.

C---Inaugurates a baffling attack, suggested to me by John T. Bradford. It improves upon the combination of: 14-17, 13-6, 17-26, 31-22, 2-9, 23-19 (used by Edwin F. Hunt, Nathan Rubin, and Asa Long in games played by them), which leaves black with a draw at best and no chance of winning. This 2-6 puts muscle in the black build-up and promptly takes the snapper out of white's formation. If black tries 1-6 at C, then we have a familiar Denny development, strong for white, which runs its course like this to a draw: 1-6, 23-19, 14-17, 21-14, 9-25, 29-22, 5-9, 27-23, 9-14, 24-20, 15-24, 28-19, 14-17, 31-26, 11-15, 32-28, 15-24, 28-19, 7-11, 22-18, 3-7,19-16,12-19,23-16, 6-9,13-6,2-9,16-12,17-21,12-8,10-15, 26-22, 7-10, 20-16, 11-20, 18-11, 10-15, 8-3, 15-19, 3-7, 19-23, 7-10, 23-27, 10-15, 20-24, 15-18, 9-13*, 11-7, 27-31, 7-2, 24-28, 2-7, 28-32, 7-10, 31-27. Wm. F. Ryan vs. Jesse B. Hanson, 1927.

D---The key to the situation, cramping mobility of the black pieces on squares 1, 5, 6, and 9. A good draw by any other move is hard to find, and even the text must be followed through by the subtle touches at J. For play on 23-19 at this point, see Variation 2---an exposition in hairline draughts! Ed.'s note: Variation 2 will be published next month.

E---This press is obviously the only move to gain a draw. If 12-16 is played, 24-20 wins.

F---31-26, 14-23, 26-10, 7-14, 29-25, 12-16, 32-27 or 30-26, then 11-15 leaves white irreparably impaired.

F1---The end of the KingsRow opening book, with an equal evaluation---Ed.

F2---It takes some deep computer analysis to reveal that 32-27 is the best move here, though any Black edge is tiny indeed---Ed.

F3---Willie stars this move, but 32-27 also is good---Ed.

G---The shot by 17-14, 10-26, 30-7, 15-22, 7-2, 22-26, leaves black with much the better ending, though a win would be hard to prove. The strength of the black ending rests in ultimately relieving the four man tie-up of his pieces on 1, 5, 6, and 9. This is accomplished by crowning the piece on 22, returning the king to square 18, and then conditionally "slipping" 9-14, 2-9, 14-17, thus removing the white king on square 2 from play. On such "ideas" and tactical threats is the game of checkers based. The more knowledge a student acquires of these principles of play, and the more adept he is in knowing when and how to threaten with the proper plan for a particular setup, the greater is his skill. The proficient planner makes the player.

H---Or 19-23, 28-24 (better than 20-16, 11-20, 18-11, 9-14, 25-21, 5-9, black strong), 3-8, 20-16, 11-27, 18-4, 27-31, 4-8, 31-27, 8-11, 27-24, 11-8 will also reach a draw. Wm. F. Ryan.

I---24-28, 30-26, 3-8, 17-14, 10-17, 21-14, 8-12, 22-17, 11-15, 18-11, 9-18,11-7,18-22, 26-23, 22-26, 23-18, 26-30,18-14, 30-25, 7-2, 25-22, 2-9, 22-18, 32-27, 28-32, 27-23, 18-27, 9-6 produces the draw. Wm. F. Ryan.

J---The timely rescue for white.

Variation 1

7-11	22-17	10-17	25-22	11-16
29-25	3-7	21-14	12-16	2-7
12-16	31-27---A	18-23	22-18	31-26;
24-20	1-5---B	20-16	16-19	drawn.
16-19	27-23	11-27	1-6	Wm. F.
27-24	14-18	28-24	2-9	Ryan.
5-9	23-14---C	19-28	13-6
17-13	9-18	26-1	7-11
8-12	17-14	27-31	6-2

A---White dares not go 32-27, since he will be stung by 19-23. However, white can travel safely to a draw with: 26-23, 19-26, 30-23, 1-5 (nothing better), 23-19*, 11-16, 20-11, 7-23, 24-19, 15-24,28-19,14-18,17-14,10-17, 21-14,2-7,19-15,12-16,15-11, 6-10, 11-2, 10-17, 13-6, 17-21, 2-7, 21-30, 7-11, 16-20, 31-26. Wm. F. Ryan.

B---If the play goes 11-16, 20-11, 7-16, 27-23, the breakup by 15-18 will promote a draw; but if the move is 2-7, white will reply with 32-27*, and black's position is perilous.

C---Or 23-16, 12-19, 17-14, 10-17, 21-14, 18-23, 14-10, 7-14, 20-16, 11-27, 28-24, 19-28, 26-1, 27-31, 13-6, 2-9, 1-6, 9-13, 25-22, 14-17, 22-18, 17-22, 18-14, 13-17, 6-9, 17-21, 9-13, also ending in a draw. John T. Bradford."

Ed.'s Note: Variation 2 will appear in the next installment.

Here's the diagram once again.

Can you make the champion's choices here and solve the problem? Will you be a champ or a chump? We think if you give it a good try, you're a champ no matter. When you've chosen your moves, click on Read More to see the solution.

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This month brings the fourth entry in our Famous Shots series, taken from Ben Boland's Famous Positions in the Game of Checkers. As always, the challenge is to solve the shot, and, if you wish, identify the "shot" pictured above.

Here's the run-up:

11-15 21-17 9-13 25-21 8-11 17-14---A 10x17 21x14 6-10 22-17 13x22 26x17 15-18 24-20---B 2-6 28-24 4-8---C 29-25 11-15 30-26 6-9---D

A---30-25 is better; Black now gets a small but noticeable advantage.

B---23-19 is better. Black's advantage is now significant.

C---6-9 would retain the Black advantage. The game is now about even.

D---Loses. 15-19 was correct.

Aw, shoot; we're pretty much out of "shot" puns, so all we'll say is to see if you can solve it and then click on Read More to see the solution.

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For February, the shortest month, we're pleased to present another short speed problem from father and son team Lloyd and Josh Gordon of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It features a practical over-the-board situation and is relatively easy (hence a 10 second time limit).

We invite other readers to submit similar problems, suited for solving in anything from five seconds to one minute. Meanwhile, a big "mahalo" (thanks) to Lloyd and Josh.

When you're ready, click on the link below; then come back and click on Read More to verify your solution.

February Speed Problem (Easy, 10 seconds)

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"Man up!" is an expression that is probably out of favor these days as it refers specifically to masculinity. We won't get into debates about this and we'll say no more than that we believe in all forms of equality. However "man up" in checkers is a different concept. When you are a "man up" you're quite likely to win--- if you know how.

Today's Beginner's Corner episode deals once again with that "you've got to win it" idea. A man up is usually a win, but short of the expert level, the other player isn't just going to concede; you'll have to show that you know how to win it.

Here's one such situation.

Can you "man up"* and win with a man up? We think you can. Prove us right by solving the problem and then clicking on Read More to see the solution.

*Editor's Note: Obviously both men and women play and excel at checkers.

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The phrase Hobson's Choice, named for 16th century English stable owner Thomas Hobson, is often used to describe a no-win situation. In checkers, that would occur when any move available would be bad; in other words, a player would be left to choose only among various losing options.

That usage, though frequently employed, is incorrect, as Hobson's Choice really means "take it or leave it"; you have but one option and there really is no choice except that of refusal. (Mr. Hobson reputedly offered his customers a choice of but one horse, which was no choice at all.) In checkers, however, you've got to make a move, so the phrase Hobson's Choice doesn't seem to apply.

We think, in the position below, as published by Ben Boland in Familiar Themes in the Scientific Game of Checkers, the author meant to use the term dilemma, which accurately refers to a choice among undesirable alternatives. Contrast this with Morton's Fork, which is a choice among equal or equivalent alternatives.

Confusing? Perhaps simply looking at the diagram is the best option.

White indeed seems to face a dilemma; he's going to lose a man no matter what choices he makes. But a draw is still possible with perceptive play; can you find it?

Of course, for you, the reader, the choice is certainly Hobson's; you can choose to solve the problem, or just leave it! We do hope, though, that you'll try it, and then click on Read More to verify your solution.

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Checker School today brings us the third in our series of famous shots, taken from Ben Boland's Famous Positions in the Game of Checkers. As is the case with the other entries in this series, experienced players should recognize it by sight, while less experienced players would do well to learn the position.

Here's this week's run-up:

11-15 23-19 8-11 22-17 4-8 17-13 15-18 24-20 11-15 28-24 8-11 26-23 9-14 31-26 6-9 13x6 2x9 26-22 9-13---A

A---Loses. 3-8 or 1-6 would be correct. White to play and win.

We're not sure which looks more interesting: the checker position or the attractive concoction shown in the photo at the top. Right now, though, let's go for the checker position. Find the solution, name the shot (both of them!), and then click on Read More to see the solution.

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The holidays have sped by as they always do; there's the long run-up, a week or so of family fun and frolics, and then--- it's over, and we face that winter letdown and months of solid, virtually uninterrupted work, school, or what-have-you.

Fortunately, there's a bright spot for readers of The Checker Maven. For some little while, the father and son team of Lloyd and Josh Gordon, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, have been replenishing our stock of speed problems, with positions from their own games and of their own design. We're presenting the first of these today.

Josh and Lloyd generally assemble problem positions that vary from easy to medium in difficulty, making them perfect for speed problems. This month we'll start with an easy one. You won't have a lot of trouble solving it, and it's quite clever and pleasing. Ten seconds will be plenty of time, we think, although perhaps you may disagree!

When you're ready, click on the link below to show the problem and start the clock. Then come back here and click on Read More to verify your solution.

January 2014 Speed Problem Easy; 10 seconds

Thank you, Josh and Lloyd, for sending these problems, and we hope that the rest of your Eastern Ontario winter won't be too tough.

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Bill Salot's outstanding series of checker problem composing contests continues to thrive, attracting talented problem setters from around the world. Contest 14 has just concluded, and the winner is from the Netherlands. Check it all out by clicking on the Compositions link in the left-hand column.

There are just a couple of days left in 2013 and then 2014 will be upon us. The years pass by; it seems like we've hardly turned the clock on 2000 and now Y2K is almost ancient history! In any event, The Checker Maven hopes that 2013 was a good year for you and yours, and that 2014 will bring every good thing you might wish for.

To celebrate the coming New Year, how about an A. J. Heffner problem from way, way before Y2K? This one is close to 100 years old but it's never lost its practical appeal. Willie Ryan says he's seen it come up in play more than once ... and doubtless it's occurred many times since.

What's up here? Black is going to get a king and there's nothing White can do about it, although White can get one of his own if he wishes. Where's the White win, though? Can you find it?

The problem isn't particularly easy, and the solution is fairly long, but hey, you've got the rest of the year to solve it! When you've figured it out, click on Read More to see the solution.

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It's the holidays once again, and The Checker Maven offers best wishes for a wonderful season to you and yours.

At this festive time, the checkerboard often gets set aside as we all become busy indeed, perhaps more so than we ought. So we invite you to take a step back and relax with an entertaining checker problem. It's one that you can easily share with relatives and friends as a sort of mini holiday present, a nowadays all-too rare gift of time and attention.

The problem comes from our old friend Willie Ryan, who calls it a simple problem and yet in the class of gems, because it comes up often in practical play and many times is missed over the board.

Here's the situation.

Forces are even at four men each, but White is obviously cramped, and in checkers, mobility is key. How can White save the game?

Follow the path we proposed at Thanksgiving this year. Reward yourself and friends and family for tackling the problem with an extra slice of holiday pie.

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