The Checker Maven

All Is Not Lost

allisnotlostai.x.jpg

Some situations seem pretty hopeless. In the image above, things don't look so great for our hero. But you might guess that he's not one to easily give up.

The same is often true on the checkerboard. Take a look at the position below.

BLACK
null
WHITE
White to Play and Win

W:WK8,10,14,15,30,32:B1,2,3,12,K18,23

White is going to lose a piece and nothing will stop that. But indeed all is not lost---there still is a way to win, if you don't give up hope and can find your way through. This isn't quite a speed problem, but it isn't all that difficult, either. Stay the course and win the battle, then click on Read More to verify your victory.

And stay safe and well, checker fans, wherever you are.null



Solution

15-11 18x9 10-7 3x10 11-7 2x11 8x13 12-16 13-17 16-20 17-22 20-24 22-26 24-27 26x19 White Wins.

Thanks go to our regular contributors, Lloyd and Josh Gordon of Toronto. The position arose over the board in one of their nightly games. It's a great illustration of the idea that when things are looking down, you need to look up.

04/04/20 - Category: Problems
You can email the Webmaster with comments on this article.



The Checker Maven is produced at editorial offices in Honolulu, Hawai`i, as a completely non-commercial public service from which no income is obtained or sought. Original material is Copyright © 2004-2026 Avi Gobbler Publishing. Other material is public domain, AI generated, as attributed, or licensed under CC1, CC2, CC3 or CC4 and the various CC options. Information presented on this site is offered as-is, at no cost, and bears no express or implied warranty as to accuracy or usability. You agree that you use such information entirely at your own risk. No liabilities of any kind under any legal theory whatsoever are accepted. The Checker Maven is dedicated to the memory of Mr. Bob Newell, Sr.