Andres Segovia, pictured above in a photo from 1962, was one of the greatest guitarists of all time, and the man responsible for re-establishing the guitar as a serious instrument for the playing of classical and other music. As a teacher, he said that technique either advances or retreats but never stays the same.

In our game of checkers, you might possibly say the same thing. We want our checker technique to advance but if we neglect practice and play it's bound to retreat. So along these lines (of advancement) we present today's Checker School problem, which demonstrates the technique of visualization. It's from a game played long ago by Jordan in a match between England and Scotland, as found in Andrew Banks' electic book, Checker Board Strategy.

Apply your best checker technique to this one and see if you can win it. Then apply your mouse-clicking technique to Read More to see the solution.

[Read More]

Marvin was feeling a lot better. A couple of days had passed since Marvin had been quite ill and played poorly in his game against Stella Striker of the Phoenix Paraffin, in fact so poorly that he cost his team the match. Even a talented pinch mover, Courteous Curt Curtiss, couldn't save Marvin's position. (Please see the our previous Checker Maven story for full details.)

Marvin knew he was in trouble with the new Head Coach, Sammy Sawizawiz. He just didn't know how much trouble. Before Marvin hit the showers on that fateful evening, Coach had accused him of not putting his team first.

So it was that, upon Marvin's return to the Detroit Checkerdrome for a Doublejumper practice session, he wasn't surprised to be told the Coach wanted to see him in Coach's office.

Marvin dutifully went to the office area and knocked on Coach's door.

"Come in," called Coach Sawizawiz.

Marvin opened the door and entered.

"Close the door behind you," Coach quickly said.

Marvin did as directed and went to take a seat in front of Coach's desk.

"Hold it right there," Coach said, "I didn't say you could be seated."

"Uh gee Coach, well I just ... "

"I didn't say you could speak, either," Coach interrupted. "You will stand there and you will listen and not say a word."

"Okay, Coach ... "

"What does 'not say a word' mean? Do not talk! You had better listen and listen well."

Coach folded his hands over his stomach and continued, "You have reputation as something of a troublemaker. Now, even leaving aside what the now disgraced Coach Baba Dudut thought of you--- I've read his notes--- Coach Riddleme said I should keep an eye on you. Your general lack of respect, your excessive beer drinking, your tendency to do what you want instead of doing what you're told, and a lot of other things ... well, you're a good player to be sure but that doesn't make up for a bad attitude, selfishness, carelessness, and being bone headed at times."

"The other night in our opener with the Paraffins, you were many of those things. And a liar as well ... "

'Hey Coach, that's too much ... " Marvin broke in.

"SILENCE!" Coach shouted as he stood and put his fists on his desk. "One more word out of you and you'll finish the season in Hoboken New Jersey as a water boy for Single A play! If even that!"

Marvin said no more.

"Now, about that match with the Paraffins. I asked you if you were okay and you lied and said you were, even though you knew how sick you were. You never should have showed up, let alone played, but it was Opening Day and so you lied your way into the game. And then you messed it all up so badly that even Courteous Curt, our best pinch mover, couldn't straighten things out! You cost us the match! On OPENING DAY! How do you think the fans liked that?"

Coach took deep breath and continued. "Well, I'll tell you! They were really angry! Some of them wanted you fired right on the spot! Others said what a bad example you set for the kids who look up to you! Well, what do you think about all of that? What do you expect me to do?"

"Well, gee, Coach ... "

"I still didn't say you could speak!"

"But you asked me a question ... "

"Well, I don't want to hear your answer! It would just be more lies and self-serving excuses! Now, here's what's going to happen. I'm fining you $1 million. You know what? I'm sending you to Hoboken for the next series of the Hoboken Hams. I won't make you a water boy but you'll yourself be a pinch mover. Then you can see what it's like to try to clean up other people's messes. Maybe it will all teach you a lesson. There's always hope, but frankly I doubt it. Now go home and pack. Your overnight bus leaves at midnight and that will get you to Hoboken tomorrow around noon."

"Bus?" Marvin muttered.

"Yes, bus!" Coach replied. "You're lucky I don't make you pay for your own ticket. And by the way, your pay will be commensurate with the Low-A League scale. Something like 5% of your present salary. Now, out of my office!"

Marvin had little choice but to exit Coach's office, put on his street clothes, and drive back home.

Figuring to be away for just about a week, Marvin packed a bag. He would have to tell his wife, Priscilla, when she got home and she wasn't going to be happy.

It didn't take long to pack and get ready to go to the downtown bus terminal. He'd have to leave at around 11 to catch that midnight bus.

Meanwhile, Marvin tried to keep busy with some checker problems in the latest All Checkers Digest, but his heart just wasn't in it. He was looking at the following problem

when Priscilla returned home at about 8 PM. Priscilla, as the CEO of the large international conglomerate Rust Belt Holdings, worked long hours.

Over dinner, which consisted of Tournedos Rossini, truffled mashed potato, asparagus with Bearnaise sauce, and an Asian Pear salad, all prepared on site by Priscilla's private chef, she noticed that Marvin seemed quite dejected.

"Okay, out with it, dear," Priscilla said, already suspecting what was wrong. "Let's hear it."

Marvin, having little choice, explained what had happened at the Checkerdrome with Coach. "So I gotta like, catch the midnight bus and stuff," he concluded. "Could you maybe like give me a ride to the depot?"

Priscilla started to laugh but turned it into a glare. "I don't think so, dear hubby of mine. I have to get up early for work tomorrow, as you well know, and besides, giving you a ride and sympathizing would kind of go against the lesson Coach is trying to teach you. No, you can take the city bus. It will be good for you."

"The city bus? At night in Detroit?"

"Oh, okay, maybe it isn't quite the safest thing. Take a cab or a ride share instead. Just make sure it gets charged to one of your accounts. I'm certainly not paying for it."

Even though dessert was Baked Alaska, Marvin decided to skip it. He stayed in his study until it was time to leave for the bus depot, and left the condo and went down to the lobby without another word.

"Hoboken, here we come," he said to himself as his ride share pulled up to the curb. "Pinch mover it is."

---

Marvin is in for an experience, it seems. Pinch mover for a Low A club is a big step down. Will Marvin learn the lesson coach wants to teach him? We don't know. But what we do know is that you can try to solve today's problem and then click on Read More to see the solution.

[Read More]

It was October 1955, and the merchants of downtown Bismarck, North Dakota, were holding a Saturday festival near Broadway and 3rd. It was a warmer than usual day for October, with temperatures in the lower 70s, and the merchants agreed to move the festival outdoors. Many downtown merchants set up displays featuring new merchandise that they planned to stock for the upcoming winter season. Food vendors were present, too, and the atmosphere was festive.

Now, normally on a Saturday afternoon, the Coffee and Cake Checker Club would meet nearby at the Beacon Cafe in the Provident Life Building. But the Downtown Merchant's Association had contacted Sal Westerman, the club's unofficial leader, and asked if the club would meet instead at the festival location from about 10 AM to 3 PM. Sal, being civic minded and knowing his members shared his sentiments, readily agreed.

Club members Larry, Dan, Wayne, Delmer, Young Blaine, Louie the Flash, and Kevin the Spooler all arrived at 9 for setup. Old Frank, Nancy, and Ron arrived a little later.

The idea was that the club would play checkers against all comers. With checkers being such a popular sport, there would likely be a lot of action. The club set some rules. If a festival goer was able to get any combination of two wins and draws against club members, they could challenge Sal, who was reigning State Champion, to a game. If someone was able to win a game from Sal, they would get a five dollar gift certificate from the A. W. Lucas department store. (Keep in mind that in 1955 five dollars was quite a bit of money.)

Soon everything was ready. The checkerboards were set up on a few long folding tables. The club members had taken their seats. Elsewhere the downtown merchants had finished assembling their booths and displays. In the air was the smell of sausages, vegetable soup, fresh coffee, frying donuts, and much more. Right on the dot of 10 AM, a crowd began to form and the atmosphere was festive and happy.

Numerous challengers took on the club members. But the club members were excellent players and only a handful of players from the general public were able to gain the right to challenge Sal, who easily defeated all of them. Sal's challengers did however receive a consolation prize, a coupon good for a an ice cream soda at a downtown soda fountain, a 25 cent value.

The event stayed crowded right through the noon hour and into the afternoon, with the 'boys' continuing their success against all comers.

But then, a little after 2 PM, who appeared but--- Gerry Russell.

Recall from a previous Checker Maven series that Gerry Russell led a coaltion which attempted to get checkers banned from the Bismarck school system, calling checkers both "the devil's work" and "a Communist plot against America." That effort fell flat on its face when Sal thoroughly demolished Mr. Russell in testimony before the school board, which voted not only to continue to support checkers in the school system but to increase its funding.

Mr. Russell claimed to be an expert checker player who had fallen under the evil spell of the game and had only recently "seen the light" and ridded himself of its influence. But paradoxically, after losing his case to Mr. Westerman, he threatened revenge, saying one day he would defeat Sal for the checker championship!

"I have returned," Mr. Russell announced to the 'boys' in a loud voice, "and this will be the beginning of my vengeance. I will defeat you by turning your own evil against you!"

Heads were turning in the direction of the checker tables. The background hubbub of the crowd reduced noticeably as Mr. Russell continued to speak. "I will now take on Bismarck's number one Communist, Mr. Sal Westerman, in a game of checkers!"

It was Dan who spoke up first. In an equally loud voice, he said, "Just a minute, bud. For one thing, we don't take kindly to Sal being insulted or called a Communist. And for another, there are rules around here. You don't get to play Sal until you beat two of us. So just hold your horses and cool off for a moment. When you're ready to mind your manners and stick with the program, you can play a game. You can start with me."

Mr. Russell started to huff and puff and was about to speak when Sal interjected, "Never mind, boys. Let him play me. We'll take care of business without further delay and send this unpleasant fellow on his way."

Now, from Sal, who was ever polite and kind, that was quite a strong statement.

"Well, well, now," said Mr. Russell, "our favorite Commie isn't a chicken. Just a fool thinking he can take me on."

Dan and Louie stood together and moved toward Mr. Russell with their fists clenched. "You can leave right now, buster," Dan said, "or else."

"Oh, two more of the Red brigade, making threats of violence no less! Let me call the cops and see how brave you are then!" said Mr. Russell.

"Boys!" Sal said sharply. "No need for that! Instead let's have Mr. Russell back up his words with performance--- on the checkerboard."

"Okay, Sal,' said Louie, "but no one should talk to you that way."

"I'm 77 years old and I've heard it all," Sal said. "You boys go grab a coffee while I teach Mr. Russell a thing or two about The Grand Old Game."

The boys backed away, but of course by now there was a large crowd gathered around the checker tables. Nearly all of them seemed to support Sal, but there was a handful from Mr. Russell's old anti-checkers coalition.

Mr. Russell took a seat and the game began. Sal had to admit that his opponent played a good game, which reached the following position.

Sal was giving the position some thought when Mr. Russell said, "Come on, you tired old disgrace, make a move or resign. I haven't got all day."

Sal looked up, stared for a moment at Mr. Russell, and made his move.

---

Would you have been able, in Sal's place, to give Mr. Russell a well-deserved comeupance? See if you can and then click on Read More to see the solution and the conclusion of our little story.

[Read More]

Today's column title has interesting origins. Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy has a popular meaning which refers to something very easy to do or accomplish. The "easy peasy" part, from what our research tells us, dates back at least as far as a 1940 movie. The "lemon squeezy" part is often said to refer to a 1950s British soap product, Sqezy, which unsurprisingly came in a squeeze bottle and had a lemon scent (we were unable to find a public domain image for this product). However this account is rather speculative.

The problem below could be the easiest speed problem we've ever published; the trick is to solve it in just a few seconds without making a slip-up as there are a couple of opportunities to do so. Is the problem "easy peasy lemon squeezy"? You'll have to decide for yourself.

Pretend you're playing a bullet game (one minute of time for the entire game). Can you solve this instantly? It's easy peasy with minimal thought, but will you find the right moves through rapid reflex? It's an interesting challenge. Give yourself about three seconds. If you haven't gotten it by then, keep going and you'll surely see it in a few more seconds. When done, click on Read More to verify the solution.

[Read More]

In this installment of our long-running Checker School series, we turn again to the eclectic volume entitled Checker Board Strategy, by Andrew J. Banks, published back in 1945. Part V of this book, "Fundamentals," starts out with a section called Laws of Learning. We offer the following brief quote.

In his college laboratory, Ned guided some white rats that were running in a maze box. Their problem was to find the path to some food. The scientific boy tutored some of the rats a few times by blocking the blind alleys, which directed them into the correct paths. Then he removed the block; this restored the original problem. Other rats were not guided at all. Which rats, do you think, learned the maze with fewer trials? In general those that Ned helped learned faster; however, those that he guided too much learned more slowly than those without any help--- perhaps a certain number of errors must be made in order to learn what to avoid.

The application to our game of checkers is obvious, but do you agree? We do. A certain amount of tutoring and explanation certainly is helpful but ultimately, over the board when your tutor is not present, you'll have to apply what you know, and you'll make some errors. You really cement your learning when you review your game later on and correct your errors. Note in the illustration above, "repetition" figures prominently.

Here are two classic problems which Mr. Andrews presented to illustrate his point. The first one is quite easy.

The second one is also relatively easy with a little thought.

These might be quite familiar to experienced players, who are challenged to solve them rapidly. For those of us not in the upper realms of checker knowledge, you might wish to solve the first one, check the solution, and then come back and try the second one. In any event, clicking on Read More will allow you to verify your work.

[Read More]

It was opening day for the new National Checker League season. Training camps were completed, season tickets sold, myriad print and media articles produced, and there was a general air of excitement. With the scandals of the previous season over and the NCL under new and vibrant leadership, everyone, from coach to player to fan to referee, greeted opening day with eager anticipation.

The same was true for Marvin J. Mavin, team captain of the highly rated Detroit Doublejumpers. There was just one problem. Marvin was feeling ill and feared he had the flu, or worse.

The Doublejumpers opened at home against the Phoenix Paraffin, captained by top ranked player Stella Striker. Marvin expected a competitive game played at the grandmaster level, and he would normally be all for it, except that he wondered if he would be at his best. His head ached, his sinuses were acting up, and he felt feverish with a feeling of intermittment chills punctuated by periods of sweat.

The match was scheduled for 7 PM and practice turnout was at 4:30. Marvin's wife, Priscilla, before her driver picked her up at 7 AM to take her to her CEO's office at Rust Belt Holdings, took one look at Marvin and told him he was staying home tonight.

"For one thing," Priscilla said in the stern voice often used with Marvin, "you might make others sick. What if you have Covid or something? You want to spread contagion? I shouldn't have to tell you that you don't need any more controversy in your career."

Priscilla continued, "But that's not all. What about your health? Don't you think you ought to take care of yourself? You may not like to hear it but you're quite sick right now and the last place you should be is in front of a checkerboard being watched by 50,000 checker fans."

"Aw, gee, Prissy," Marvin said, although it was more like a groan, "you gotta ..."

"Keep quiet and listen!" Priscilla cut in. "I'm not done yet. Lastly, your team counts on you, and you can't tell me you'll be able to play your best in your current condition. You are staying home. Period. I don't want to hear a word from you about it. Now goodbye. My driver is waiting and probably wondering what happened to me."

At that Priscilla headed over to the private elevator in her swanky 5,000 square foot condo and set off for work.

Marvin knew he was sick, but he thought that a morning and an afternoon of rest would be enough to shake off whatever it was he had and still play that evening.

He slept during most of the day. Priscilla, the previous evening, had her private chef prepare a large pot of chicken soup, and Marvin had some of that during his brief waking periods. By about three thirty in the afternoon, Marvin felt that he would be able to play. So, despite Priscilla's admonitions, and definitely risking her ire, Marvin took a hot shower. That made him feel a lot better and so he dressed and went down to the garage, where Priscilla kept her little fleet. Marvin wasn't allowed to drive the Mercedes or the Bentley, and certainly not the Rolls-Royce, but he did have permission to drive the "everyday" Lexus.

During pre-game practice and warm-ups, he felt a little tired but thought he was doing well enough, until the Coach approached him.

Recall from our previous story that the Doublejumpers had once again inadvertently hired a bizarre coach who went by the name California Hummingbird, and ending up firing her on the first day of training camp. While Problem Coach Riddleme filled in for a while, the Doublejumpers managed to recall Sammy Sawizawiz, and he was now Head Coach.

"Marv," Coach Sawizawiz said, "you seem a little off today. Everything okay? You want me to change the lineup and bring in Milo Gru? I know it's opening day and all, but still, if you're not at 100%, maybe I shouldn't play you today."

"Nah, Coach," Marvin replied, "I just kinda took a coupla naps today and it sorta like made me a little sluggish and stuff. I'll be fine."

Coach looked dubious but said, "Okay, fine, but I want 100% from you."

"You got it, Coach," Marvin said.

It was soon time. The players came out on the field, the National Anthem was played, everyone took their places, and the referee blew his whistle and called, "Play checkers!"

Stella Striker of the Paraffin was a top player and Marvin knew he needed to be at his best. Still, he decided to play a safe line and see how the game developed; he hoped to stay within published play for as long as possible and give himself a little extra time to shake off the fogginess he was feeling.

Stella, however, liked sharp play and sharp lines and wasn't afraid to go into new territory. Marvin made a couple of small slips and the game ended up in the following tough position.

Suddenly Coach Sawizawiz was on the field, signalling to the referee for a time out. The referee blew his whistle and a three minute break began.

Coach approached Marvin and said, "That's it." He pointed to the dugout and signaled for number six --- a player popularly known as "Courteous Curt Curtiss" --- to come in as a pinch mover. "You're out, Marvin," Coach said. "You didn't play at anything like your full ability, and in fact you look even more ill than you did before. I'm disappointed that you didn't put your team first and sit this one out as you should have. Go home, and when you get well we'll have a serious discussion about what you did."

Marvin, dejected, left the field and made his way to the showers.

---

Can Courteous Curt, as a pinch mover, pull off a draw in this position? Will Marvin face consequences? How would you have done if called in as a pinch mover? Solve the problem, then click on Read More to see the solution and the rest of this installment.

[Read More]

In Bismarck, North Dakota, it was the Saturday after Labor Day in September 1955, and for long-time resident Sal Westerman that meant one and only one thing. The Coffee and Cake Checker Club would resume meeting at the Beacon Cafe after the club's summer hiatus. A long string of checker filled Saturday afternoons lay ahead.

Sal was in high spirits as he made the ten minute walk from his home on 13th Street over to the Provident Life Building, in which the Beacon Cafe was situated. Sal and the "boys" (all but one of whom were over 50) met at the Beacon and enjoyed wonderful baked treats made by the proprietess, Deana Nagel, accompanied by lots and lots of coffee.

As expected, there was a great turnout for the first meeting of the new season, and by the 1 PM start time the group filled both of the large booths at the back of the cafe. On hand were Larry, Delmer, Wayne, Tom, Louie the Flash, Kevin the Spooler, Dan, Mike, Ron, Young Blaine, and even Old Frank, making an even dozen.

But then, just after Sal joined the group, there was a new arrival. Now, Sal had known in advance about this, due to a telephone inquiry, but he deliberately hadn't made a prior announcement. "Boys," Sal said, "meet our newest member, Nancy German."

Nancy, reaching the back of the Cafe, gave a big smile. "Pleased to meet you, boys," she said, "and I hope you'll welcome a lady to your group."

There were enthusiatic nods all around. "Delighted to have you," Sal said, "and why don't you tell us about yourself?"

"Well," Nancy said, "I grew up in South Dakota and just moved to Bismarck over the summer to take a new job. I played a lot of checkers down in Pierre and was even on the Pierre municipal team. So when I heard about Sal and the club, naturally I wanted to join. Now, I have to work on Saturday a lot of the time, so I won't be here every week, but I'll do my best, both to show up, participate in problem solving, and try to give you some good games of skittles."

Again all the boys expressed enthusiasm. "Have a seat," Dan said, moving over to make room at the side of one of the booths. We usually start out with Sal giving us a problem to solve."

Nancy took the proferred seat. "Yes, Sal explained that to me over the phone, and how you boys buy treats if you can't solve it and Sal buys if you can. But look, as a newcomer, regardless how it turns out, I'd like to treat today."

Just then, with her usual great timing, the Beacon's proprietess, Deana Nagel, spoke up from behind her service counter. "Fresh apple pie," she said. "I got hold of a batch of really nice apples from a farm just outside of Mandan, across the river."

"Mighty kind of you to offer to buy," Wayne said to Nancy, "and apple pie sounds fantastic, but you really don't have to do that."

"I want to," Nancy replied. "I'd like to show appreciation for you welcoming me to your club and letting me be one of the 'boys'."

There were chuckles from everyone. "Sure," said Louie the Flash, "you can be one of us 'boys' if you wish."

Then Sal said, "Well now, shall we get into it? First problem of the season!"

Sal laid out the following position on a checkerboard on the table in each booth.

"Take a little time," he said, "maybe you're all a bit rusty after the summer layoff."

But the boys--- and Nancy--- were deep into contemplation of the problem.

---

We welcome our readers back to the Beacon Cafe, at least virtually, even though 1955 was quite a while back. Get yourself some of that good virtual cafe coffee, and sit down with the 'boys' to solve the problem. When you're done, click on Read More to see the solution, the brief conclusion of our story, and to get yourself some virtual apple pie made with apples fresh off the tree from Mandan, North Dakota. Sorry ... if you want real coffee and apple pie, you're on your own--- but it sure does sound good.

[Read More]

Labor Day is a day we always look forward to; celebrated on the first Monday of September in the United States and Canada, it is an opportunity to recognize the working man and woman, who are the soul of the economy and upon whom we all depend.

We've often said that all honest work is honorable and deserving of respect. Perhaps you're part of an elevator crew.

Or maybe you're a shuttle driver.

A fireman?

Or even a television news anchor!

No matter what your profession or job, The Checker Maven salutes you, and as always for Labor Day, we present a special checker problem. Often we turn to one of the greats, Tommie Wiswell. But instead today we turn to Jessie Hanson, a member of the 1927 All-American team. Mr. Wiswell says of him, "he has published numerous problems of a very high order." Here's one of his gems.

We'll give you fair warning; this one is much trickier than it looks, but your labor for today is to solve the problem and then, like any good working person, check your work--- by clicking on Read More.

[Read More]

Association of concepts and ideas in our memory is vital to our everyday existence on just about every level. We maintain mental "maps" in varying levels of detail and the better we can develop and utilitize these maps, the better we can do when the inevitable problems and challenges come our way, as we will have stored away knowledge about similar problems and their solutions.

Now, we've been going through parts of Andrew J. Banks' eclectic book, Checker Board Strategy, as part of our long standing Checker School series, and Mr. Banks has the following interesting observation about memory and association:

"Association of ideas is the third way of developing a logical memory. If I merely say 'Think of something!' you will be at a loss for ideas. But if I say, 'Think of an article of clothing,' ideas will flash. This test illustrates the power of association. After you have learned a problem, meditate and reflect; thus you often can associate that problem with a similar one."

We definitely think Mr. Banks is in accord with us. After all, as described above, we mostly solve problems in general by implicitly or explicitly comparing them to problems we have solved in the past, and extending or adapting those previous solutions.

So, then, look at the position below. Is it comparable to or associated with anything you've seen before? Does that give you some ideas?

Access your memory bank; correlate, adapt, and extend, and find the solution--- this one isn't all that difficult. After you're done, associate your mouse with Read More to check your answer.

[Read More]

There had been a lot of changes in the National Checker League since the big scandal in the previous season. The NCL was under new management with a new Commissioner and a new Deputy Commissioner. Several coaches and assistant coaches on various teams, and a number of players as well, had either been dismissed, forced to resign, or outright arrested by law enforcement.

The Detroit Doublejumpers, who had as its Captain our protagonist, Marvin J. Mavin, also had several new coaches and a few new players.

Most notably there was a new Head Coach, as former Head Coach Baba Dudut had been arrested on corruption, racketeering, and other charges. The new coach was Morticia Mumples, who was hired away from the AAA Memphis Mills. She replaced Interim Coach Sammy Sawizawiz who had filled in for a couple of months.

Morticia had a good track record. She had been a professional player, mostly in AAA checkers but with a few years as a substitute in the big leagues. She had coached the Mills to a league championship. Known as a stern taskmaster but also someone who always treated players fairly, she was widely regarded as a good hire.

But something had happened between the close of the season in May and the opening of training camp in August. After signing the contract with the Doublejumpers Morticia disappeared for two months. No one knew where she had gone or what may have happened to her.

Then just before training camp started, she showed up again and was, shall we say, a different person. She called in the sports press and said, "My new name is California Hummingbird. This summer I went on a retreat in a remote mountain monastery in a secret location, which I cannot reveal, but I have seen the light. I will teach the Doublejumpers a whole new approach to the game of checkers, and they too shall see the light and experience bliss and nirvana."

She took no questions from the press. Doublejumper management, when asked, said they would just wait and see. In public, they stated, "Ms. Mumples ... er, Hummingbird ... has a demonstrated record of success and we are counting on her." In private, though, they were rather concerned.

The Doublejumpers always trained at a luxury camp in the appropriately named town of Au Train on Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and traditionally the team boarded a charter bus in Detroit, with the ride to Au Train taking the good part of the day. This year was no different, except that prior to departure, Coach Hummingbird engaged the services of a spiritual practitioner, Swami Sammy Salami, to bless the bus and ask for a safe journey and a successful training month.

Swami Salami chanted in a language he claimed to be Vedic Sanskrit but nearly every phrase sounded something like "oma blah glah nah oma namma ramma gamma"; but since no one on the team had ever studied Sanskrit, they couldn't really say anything.

In any event the bus did arrive safely at the campsite and the players quickly occupied their cabins and then assembled for their inaugural camp dinner. This was normally a festive affair with great food featuring fresh fish and locally sourced produce; there were always a couple of toasts and then the Coach would close the dinner with a talk that set the mood for the month of training.

Under former coach Baba Dudut and his own predecessors, this was usually a lot of tough talk about hard mental and physical work. But Coach Hummingbird took a much different approach.

"My camp will be gentle," she said, "now that I have achieved enlightenment. We do work hard, but we enjoy the work and we envelop it in a spiritual cloak that shields all the pain and leaves only the bliss of achievement and success. I will teach you mantras to chant. We will recite shlokas from spiritual texts. When we do physical training, we will be one with nature and with the Higher Orders. We will revel in the companionship of teamwork and shared achievement. Each morning we will rise early for chanting and yoga ... "

"Not tactics training?" one team member interrupted. "We always used to ... "

"We will meet our spiritual needs first," replied Coach Hummingbird, "for if our spirits are not balanced, how can we do worldly work?"

There were a number of shaking heads and a few muttered under the breath comments as the dinner adjourned.

The next morning, the Doublejumper team was awakened at 5 AM to the sound of a gong. They were all ushered into one of the practice rooms. Our hero Marvin was heard to remark that "the sun ain't even hardly up yet" but then Coach Hummingbird was speaking.

"I will give each of you a spiritual name," Coach said, "and during our time at training camp you will be known by that name and that name alone. It is your key to the ethereal energies that will help you play better checkers."

Coach went around whispering in the ears of the players, and when she got to Marvin, she gave him a friendly smile and said quietly, "You, Captain Marvin, must be both a leader and a player. Therefore you shall be known as Holistic Harmonic Happy Hope, or 4H for short."

Marvin replied, "4H? Ain't that some kinda farm club?" But Coach just smiled and moved on to the next player.

The players then adjourned for breakfast. Instead of the usual sausages, eggs, pancakes and coffee, breakfast consisted of yogurt, fruit juice, herbal tea, and blackberries. The players grumbled but Coach said, "We consume only spiritual food to nourish the spirit. We must not put harmful substances into our sacred bodies."

Next up was an hour of yoga. This was followed by an hour of meditation. Finally before lunch the players gathered again and were asked to each give a statement about how checkers affected the higher orders of their connection to the Great Wheel of Life. Most of the players mumbled a few phrases, not really knowing what to say. Marvin, for his part, said, "I ain't got no idea about nothing like that."

Lunch consisted of a green salad with no dressing, cubes of boiled tofu, and something Coach called "tea of heaven" which apparently was a brew made from various leaves and twigs.

The afternoon was similar to the morning. Finally, at about 4 PM, Marvin spoke up on behalf of the team.

"Coach, ain't we gonna like, practice checkers and stuff? You know, like checker problems and scrimmage games and openings and endings and ... you know, checker camp sorta things?"

"Oh, 4H," Coach replied, "your inner harmonies are clearly misaligned. In my newly conceived checker camp we don't study checkers in the way you describe. Instead we let our spirits soar, we see them fly over the checkerboard; then the pieces on the board, far below, become energetic nodes through which our inner energies pass. We envision a victory and ... voila! The victory is ours!"

Marvin thought for a minute, "Uh ... yeah ... well ... at least can we have some, like, decent food for dinner?"

Another team member then spoke up. It was the second board starter, Timmy Timbuck. "Coach, when you were coaching in AAA did you do all this sort of stuff?"

"Oh, no," Coach replied. "That was back when I was still known as Morticia Mumples. I had not yet achieved enlightenment. But I have now seen a new and better path to success. I couldn't wait to share it with you players. It will be the New Age of checkers!"

At this point the other coaches--- the Problem Coach, the Opening Coach, the Endgame Coach, and the Strategy Coach--- went off to the side and conferred..

Problem Coach Riddleme, who was normally among the hardest taskmasters in the league, was the one who spoke up.

"Team," he said, "we're taking the bus into town for dinner at a steakhouse. Load up. Wheels roll in five minutes."

The players actually cheered. But Coach Hummingbird, clearly shocked and surprised, attempted to protest. "I'm the Head Coach!" she wailed. "You can't do this without my permission!"

"Wrong," replied Coach Riddleme. "Doublejumper executives, unknown to you, have asked all the other coaches to keep an eye on things and take action if necessary. We have full authority. Sorry, Ms. whatever you call yourself, you're no longer Head Coach."

The team went into town and happily consumed steak and lobster dinners. When they returned to camp, Coach Hummingbird was nowhere to be seen. Later, a note was found in her cabin saying she couldn't work with insensitive non-spiritual clods who had no chance at enlightenment. She would return to the monastery in the secret mountain location to wait the coming of the Great Om-My.

Coach Riddleme announced that he was taking over until another Head Coach could be appointed. But even though it was rather late, he called for an hour of problem solving. "We've got to make up for lost time," he said, "but no worries, you'll have your pancake breakfast in the morning with plenty of coffee. Now here, look at this, it's in two parts."

1.	9-13	22-18
2.	12-16	24-20
3.	8-12	25-22

Black played a potentially losing move at this point and the game continued:

4.	16-19	23x16
5.	12x19	27-23
6.	11-16	20x11
7.	7x16	18-15
8.	4-8	...

Of course there were quite a few more problems and positions to be solved before lights out was finally called, but the players were glad to actually, you know, play checkers.

---

We don't know what you prefer; is it steak and lobster or boiled tofu? The choice is yours and literally a matter of taste. But we'll bet you'll enjoy taking on Coach Riddleme's first checker problem. Reach checker enlightenment by finding the solution and then clicking on Read More to see the solution. Recitation of shlokas is optional.

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