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.

Solution and Conclusion

Sal played 1-6 and noted the look of shock on Mr. Russell's face. The game went on as follows.

1-6 15-18 16-19 3-8 6-10 22-26 19-16 26-30---A 16-12 8-11 2-7 White Wins.

A---Perhaps Mr. Russell had originally thought he could play 8-12 and save his man, but that would then lose to 10-14.

Sal had won.

Mr. Russell stood up and spluttered, "You're a dirty cheat! No one beats me! You must have moved the pieces around while I wasn't looking! Well, I'll show you!" And at that Mr. Russell took a swing at Sal. But Sal, who was spryer than anyone expected, caught Mr. Russell's wrist in mid-swing and gave it a sharp twist. Mr. Russell howled in pain.

"Be glad," Sal said, "that I'm not going to press charges for assault."

Without another word Mr. Russell and his small number of supporters left the area. His attempt to punch Sal had really displeased the crowd, and Mr. Russell, had he stayed around, might have faced a little old-fashioned prairie justice.

Sal received congratulations and pats on the back from many of the festival goers. By then it was 3 o'clock, the festival's closing time. As the crowd headed home, the 'boys' spent the next little while packing everything up, all the while talking about Sal's double victory--- both over the board and just after the game.

---

Today's problem is an endgame study by J. K. Lyons in a collection published long ago by Farr L. Scott.