The young woman in the picture above has a little problem: she's got a square peg and she needs to fit it into a round hole. We suspect that this will not be an easy feat to accomplish, though we surely wish her the best of luck.

Checkers is filled with little problems as well; often they're called "miniatures" and involve just a few pieces per side. They are very often both practical and challenging.

The little problem shown below seems to fit the description perfectly.

WHITE

BLACK
Black to Play and Win

B:W25,17,K3:BK11,2,1.

This situation surely arises often over the board, so knowing how to win it could make a real difference. We think it's challenging, but ultimately not all that difficult. Certainly, it's not in the "square peg in a round hole" category.

Can you peg this one just by looking at the diagram? Give it a square try, and then move your mouse 'round to Read More to reveal the solution.

Emma Janvier Smith was a turn-of-the-20th-century vaudeville performer who starred in productions that were famous for that era, including The Moth and the Flame and Miss Innocence; she also took on unique roles such as Girdle in The Spring Chicken. But our research, sadly, turned up no specific evidence that Ms. Janvier Smith played checkers, although we can well imagine her playing a game or two on a night when the theater was dark.

We also don't think she was related to checkerists J.D. Janvier or F. A. Smith, as Janvier was a stage name borrowed from her uncle--- her real surname was Spicer--- and Smith was her husband's name. However, she was certainly a contemporary of both Janvier and Smith. so anything is possible.

But in any case, today's Checker School lesson is about checkers, not vaudeville, though it can surely be argued that at times vaudeville-like situations arise on the checkerboard. Whether that adjective applies to either of the situations below is up to you to decide.

In the first situation, forces are even but White has one man in the "dog hole" on square 28, and the other man definitely lacks mobility.

J. D. JANVIER
BLACK

WHITE
White to Play and Draw

W:WK3,5,K7,13:B1,K17,K21,23.

The second situation is quite similar to the first, except that it's Black's move, and he has a third king instead of a second man; as we know, in checkers little things can loom large.

F. A. SMITH
BLACK

WHITE
Black to Play and Win

B:W5,K7,K8,9:B1,K17,K21,K23.

Can you solve these problems, or will you be the subject of comical failure? Either way, it's no joke that clicking your mouse on Read More will reveal the solutions, detailed notes, no less than four sample games and a supplementary problem.

Talk about getting clipped! It seems that extreme clipping is the order of the day in the lakeside scene above. We think it may be a bit unusual to go to the lake to get clipped, although in lakeside resorts, it's inevitable that a different sort of "clip joint" is usually to be found.

A player can get clipped at the checkerboard, too, and in just as extreme a fashion. Willie Ryan, in his classic Tricks Traps & Shots of the Checkerboard, illustrates this nicely in his discussion below.

"Sometimes deadly shots exist in situations that appear so innocent that even master minds of the board will fail to detect them. The example shown here is a case in point. I had reached the situation on the diagram in one of my books, but overlooked a trim coup in my analysis. It was spotted by Jeff Clayton, the well-known Oklahoma City expert:

BLACK

WHITE
White to Play and Win

W:W15,18,19,21,25,26,27,28,30,31,32:B1,2,4,6,8,9,10,11,12,13,20.

A---A very weak move leading to critical play, 10-14 is better.

B---Black walks into a trap with this move. There is a narrow draw here by 1-5---4, 27-23, 9-14, 18-9, 5-14, 25-22, 14-17, 21-14, 10-17, 28-24---5, 20-27, 31-24, 17-21, 23-18, 6-9, 32-27, 8-11, 15-8, 4-11, 27-23, 7-10, 24-20, 2-7, 19-16, 12-19, 23-16, 10-15,16-12, 15-19, 12-8, 7-10, 8-3, 11-16*, 20-11, 10-14, 18-15, 14-18, 15-10, 18-25, 10-6, 25-29, etc. Wm. F. Ryan."

1---8-11 is quite a bit better---Ed.

2---27-23 would have kept the edge---Ed.

3---Very weak; 8-11 would keep things on an even keel---Ed.

4---The computer disagrees and thinks this is still a probable loss. See note 5. Instead, Black should play 12-16! 19-3 10-19 3-10 6-29 27-23 9-14 23-16 29-25 etc. White still has a clear lead and a likely win, but Black's chances are a little better. It's surprising that Willie didn't look at this spectacular shot---Ed.

5---This move appears to be incorrect and gives up the win. 32-27 retains a strong White lead---Ed.

Are you going to get clipped by this problem situation, or are you able to cut it? Try to find the solution, and then slice your mouse over to Read More to see how it's done.

June's speed problem is taken from an actual game played on the It's Your Turn Internet site. The winning player in our problem situation uses the screen name Yearof57; his real name is Flavious Burgess and he hails from Beulah, Kentucky. Mr. Burgess says that he plays in a few tournaments around his home state and tries to play in the Majors Division, but at times "has to" play in the Masters Division. We're hardly surprised at that; Mr. Burgess is a very skilled player.

There's no doubt that he spotted the win in today's problem rather quickly, and you probably won't need a lot of time either, so we'll "help you out" by not giving you much! 10 seconds is all that's left on the clock; click on the link below when you're ready to begin.

June Speed Problem (10 seconds; easy)

Some of the problems and study material presented in our weekly columns are, to say the least, somewhat challenging for the average player. But we've always tried to a make a point of having something for everyone, so, once again, we're "taking a break" from the really hard stuff and presenting a problem that is interesting, practical, and not so difficult.

WHITE

BLACK
Black to Play and Win

B:W30,28,26,22,K10:BK31,21,19,14,13,5.

Black is a man up, but not for long. Still, there is a very nice win on the board. Can you see it? We'd rate this problem as no higher than "intermediate" in difficulty, and we're sure the more experienced players will call it "easy." Whatever it may be, can you solve it? The truly easy thing about it: clicking on Read More will lead you right to the solution.

Our offices are closed until at least mid-summer; we'll be checking email from time to time but may not be able to respond as quickly as usual to your correspondence. Of course, our Saturday morning publication will continue without interruption, so you can count on a fresh new column every weekend, the same as always. Just look below for our latest article.

"Fourth Position" as practiced in the art of ballet is obviously very elegant, but appears a little uncomfortable to hold on to for any period of time. The ballerina above carries it out with great grace and skill, but we'll venture a guess that she might be a little tired and sore by the end of class.

Fourth Position, featured today in our ongoing Checker School series, doesn't need to be tiresome; it certainly seems easier to master than, for instance, First Position.

Or is it?

The three variants below show that there may be more here than meets the eye. Subtle changes to the position cause completely different end results. Maybe there's something to this after all!

BLACK

WHITE
Black to Play and Win

B:W30,K31,K32:BK20,21,K22,K23.

BLACK

WHITE
White to Play and Draw

W:W30,K31,K32:BK20,21,K22,K23.

BLACK

WHITE
Black to Play and Win

B:WK30,K31,K32:BK20,21,K22,K23.

In any event, it's all very practical, as four to three endings of this type come up quite often in cross-board play. Try to work out the solutions and understand why small changes make big differences. Then glide your mouse over to Read More to see the solution, sample games, and detailed explanatory notes.

The wicked-looking instrument in the photo above is known as a "Jackson Pulverizer" and when someone is wielding it, perhaps it is best to stand clear.

There are pulverizers in the game of checkers too, as this month's installment from Willie Ryan's Tricks Traps & Shots of the Checkerboard will clearly demonstrate, and they're no less fearsome than the steel variety. Let's see what Willie says about this.

BLACK

WHITE
White to Play and Win

W:W13,18,20,21,22,24,26,27,28,29,30,32:B2,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,15,16,19.

"Now the stage is all set for a ripping cul de sac, which American Champion Matty Priest sprung on James P. Reed in 1878.

A---If white tries 27-24, black goes 10-14, 20-16, 14-23, 24-20, 7-10*, 16-7, 2-11, 31-27, 8-12, 27-18, 19-24, 28-19, 15-24, and white's draw, if any, is problematical.

B---If black presses 10-14, white gets a winning game by 26-23---3.

C---This is where Reed took the wrong road. The following is correct to draw: 9-14, 18-9, 5-14, 22-17, 11-16, 20-11, 7-16, 29-25, 2-7, 24-20, 8-11, 27-23, 15-18, 32-27, 19-24, 28-19, 11-15, 20-2, 15-31, 2-9, 18-27, 9-18, 31-15, 17-14, 10-17, 21-14. James Lees."

3---We're not really sure where Willie was going with this, as the computer definitely thinks this line is drawn. Perhaps over the board it's difficult to play---Ed.

Can you pound your way through this position, or will you get pounded? We think you should give it a smashing good try before clicking your mouse on Read More to see the solution.

Some things need to be done quickly, but they also need to be done correctly. In the photo above, our high-hurdlers need to be sure to clear the barriers, but they have no time to lose. Needless to say, these two requirements are not always compatible and can cause considerable stress.

This month's speed problem allows for a quick solution, but making a move without a little thought can lead to trouble. So, do it fast, but do it right--- we think 15 seconds is enough time for what seems like a simple 2x2 ending. Click on the link below to display the problem and start the clock. Then come back here and click on Read More to see the solution and notes.

May Speed Problem (not so hard)

Tommy was doing well this year. Having won a spot on the varsity team in his middle school, he had moved up during the course of the year from fifth board starter--- an entry level position--- to third board starter. And now the Florida State Team Championship Tournament was coming up in just a week.

Tommy visited Uncle Ben nearly every Saturday morning, rain or shine, for his checker lesson from the kindly retired master. But Tommy was extra sure to be up on time and on his way to Uncle Ben's porch this week. He needed to be as sharp as possible for next week's tournament. Not only did he want to do his best for the school team, but how he played would determine his placement for the next school year. And taking over one of the top two slots would be no easy thing.

Uncle Ben knew about the big tournament, of course. He greeted Tommy with a smile and a bit of his usual advice. "You've done very well this year, Tommy, and I know you're wanting to do even better and get one of those higher board slots next year. But you can't think about that during the tournament. You've got to focus on each game and each move, without distracting yourself. You'll move ahead when you're ready, no sooner and no later. Coach Hovmiller will know when it's the right time.

"I've noted that you still seem to be a little impatient with some endgames. Would you agree with that?"

"Yes, sir," replied Tommy, "sometimes I just want to get the game over ..."

"Ah, Tommy, I've seen that. But it's the same thing: the game will be over when it should be, not sooner and not later, and if you try to rush things, you could lose an important couple of points for your team. So today, I want you to look at the position I've set up on the board, and take your time. Even if you think you see how it's done, I want you to spend a full five minutes thinking about all the possibilities."

Tommy agreed, but before he could turn to the board, Uncle Ben smiled and said, "Of course, a glass of lemonade will help your concentration, don't you think?" And having said this, he reached for the lemonade pitcher.

The position Tommy faced was the one shown below.

BLACK

WHITE
White to Play and Win

W:W23,27,31,32:B9,11,15,20.

Tommy thought for a while, and after a couple of minutes started to say, "I've got it--- oh, wait a minute---" and went back to studying the board.

Can you solve this one yourself? Don't go for the first move that comes to mind; be patient and take the full five minutes that Uncle Ben recommends. Then click on Read More to see the solution, a sample game, and 17 additional related problems.