As we continue to republish the unequalled classic Tricks Traps & Shots of the Checkerboard we today find author Willie Ryan ready for a real shoot-em-up. It's one we're sure you'll enjoy. Willie tells us all about it below.

"The ancient Souter opening, formed by 6-9 at the fifth move of the game tabulated below, was a great favorite with all the champions in Wyllie's day. According to historians, the opening was named after a Scottish shoemaker who knew his way around with it. Here's a Souter snare that will shake the crown from any king:

BLACK

WHITE
White to Play and Win

W:W9,14,20,22,24,25,26,30:B1,3,5,8,11,15,16.

A---The Souter opening, a standard debut leading to an equal game.

B---A good "catch" line for black is 5-9. After this move, 23-18, 8-11, 20-16, 11-27, 18-2, 27-32, etc., leads to a draw; but if white plays 25-21 after 5-9, then black scores with this impressive combination: 5-9, 25-21, 9-14, 21-17 (all that's left), 14-21, 23-18, 8-11, 31-27 (31-26, 3-8 wins), 11-16*, 20-2, 1-5, 18-11, 3-7, 2-9, 7-32, 9-6, 32-28, 6-15, 28-10. W. S. Lambert. A real beauty.

C---Well-known play to here. The text loses by the pending shot. The correct moves are: 3-7*, 25-21, 15-19, 24-15, 11-25, 9-6, 1-17, 21-14, 8-11 *, leading to a draw."

Were you quick on the draw in finding the solution? Don't be blown away; click on Read More to shoot directly to the solution.

Solution

"Continue: 24-19, 15-24, 14-10, 5-14, 10-7, 3-10, 22-18, 14-23, 26-3, and white wins."