Wow, we'd hate to be on the receiving end of whatever is going on in the photo above; that lady is really snapping at someone. We can only hope it all gets worked out peacefully.

We're continuing our Checker School series with another "snappy" problem posed to our friend Nemo by his mentor, Skittle, both of whom appear in Checker Board Strategy by Andrew J. Banks, a self-described "checker philosopher." The problem itself is attributed to G. M. Gibson.

WHITE

BLACK
Black to Play and Win

B:WK9,19,25:B11,K17,K18.

Black has two kings and a man to White's one king and two men, and has one other obvious advantage. Do you see it? Do you see how White might defend, and how Black might still overcome that defense?

Don't snap at us; we're just trying to provide you with interesting material! And when you find the solution, you'll surely snap to attention! Clicking on Read More will let you check your work and review our extensive notes.

Solution

17-13---A 25-22---B 18x25---C 9-6---D 13-9!---E 6x13 25-22---F 13-9 22-26---G 9-14 26-23 Black Wins.

A---If 17-21, 19-15 to a draw. If 18-23 then 25-21.

B---Trying to make things difficult for Black, as on 9-6 18-23 the White man on 19 is lost.

C---No choice as the double jump must be avoided.

D---Yes, Black is a man up. But now the Black piece on 11 is threatened, for instance if 25-22, 6-2 22-18 2-7 to a draw.

E---Did you see this amazing Black resource?

F---And now Black again is in a position to win the White man on 19.

G---Careful! 22-18 19-15 and the White man gets away.

Quite a bit of interesting and instructive play is to be found in this seemingly innocent little problem. But we're not surprised; it's checkers, after all.