Public Domain

Labor Day is another one of our favorite holidays, for it gives us the chance to recognize the contributions of the average guy and gal, the working woman and working man who are the backbone of America's prosperity. Every day these folks put in an honest day's work and ask no more than the chance to get ahead a little, to take care of their families, and to do their part in building a society that will offer something to everyone.

As we've pointed out in previous years, many checkerists were and are "ordinary" people who in fact are quite extraordinary. Checker champions have been baseball players and steel workers and just about anything you can think of. Checkers knows no boundary of class or status, and we can't help but feel good about that.

We turn as always to Tom Wiswell, with something he called Fantastic. He could have easily been describing himself, but of course Mr. Wiswell was modest and humble as are most of the truly great.

BLACK

WHITE
White to Play and Win?

W:W9,12,16,19,24,25,30:B1,3,10,18,21,28.

Now, we're going to do something different this week. We'll give you the solution up front. Here is what Mr. Wiswell published quite some years ago.

Mr. Wiswell's solution ends here. Continue:

White Wins with the opposition.

But the thing is that Mr. Wiswell, very uncharacteristically, was wrong. The position is actually a draw. So what you ask you to labor away at is this: Correct the play above and show how Black can draw. You've got your work cut out for you, and the task is not easy. But, as the saying goes, that's why they call it "work." When you're ready, work your mouse over to Read More to see the annotated and corrected play.

Solution

First let's examine the original published solution.

A probable loss; 18-23 draws.

Seals Black's doom; 27-31 would have had better chances.

21-30 is the computer move here.

Left here as White Wins. Continue:

White Wins with the opposition.

And now, here's corrected play with one possible drawing line for Black. The draw is fairly narrow and of course variations are possible.

19-23 actually loses.

Etc., to a draw.

Were you able to solve this one? Don't feel bad if you didn't; just grill another hot dog and enjoy a well earned day off.