We're very pleased to be able to offer our readers the annotated match book from the 2024 U.S. vs. Italy international match, courtesy of Jim Loy and Alex Moiseyev (with support from John Acker and others). The book is available as a completely free download.

Jim Loy and Alex Moiseyev

Anyone in touch with the international checkers and draughts community will recall that the first U.S.-Italy match, held in Rome in April 2018, was won by Italy by the smallest of margins. Nevertheless it was an important and significant win and a further demonstration of how the Italians had moved onto the checkers scene with success at the highest levels (two world champions, no less).

Sergio Scarpetta, 3-Move World Champion

Matteo Bernini, GAYP World Champion

The much anticipated rematch, in Vidor Texas over the period July 1-5, 2024, ended in a victory for the U.S. with a recognizable yet not overwhelming score difference. Have things evened up and the tide turned back to the U.S.? It's hard to say; Italian players still hold both the 3-move and GAYP world championships.

More about this international tournament and the whole history of international tournaments can be found in the book. We're certain you'll enjoy the narratives and the games as expertly annotated by highly respected checkers writer and analyst Jim Loy. Here's one sample from the book.

BLACK

WHITE
White to Play and Win

W:W30,31,27,20,11,K1:B2,4,15,18,19,22

To see the solution, just download the book and turn to page 6. The Checker Maven thanks Mr. Loy and Mr. Moiseyev for the opportunity to put this book before the checker playing public.