:mrMark: CC BY 2.0

There's quite a collection of props in the photo above. These are undoubtedly theater props, but the word "props" has a number of meanings.

Continuing along with our Checker School series and Andrew J. Banks unusual book Checker Board Strategy, we come to the topic of checker props, wherein lies a valuable lesson.

BLACK

WHITE
White to Play and Win

W:WK3,K22,23,30:B11,13,K15,K27

Most experienced players will be able to solve this one fairly readily; the less experienced checkerist may have to think a bit. Either way, it's fine. Give it a try and then prop your mouse on Read More to see the solution.

Solution

22-18* 15x22 30-25* 27x18 (order of jumps immaterial) 3-8* 22x29 8x22 White Wins.

The problem isn't especially difficult yet the result is pleasing and a bit surprising. Would you have found this over the board with the clock ticking?

Mr. Banks comments a bit cryptically, "White wins with numerical inferiority--- (this) illustrates taking out the props, thereby forcing two jumps in order to obtain a spare move." The word "props" here is used with the non-theatrical meaning of something which supports or holds something else up.

The "spare move" is 3-8, setting up the final double jump. But first the way had to be cleared with pitches to remove the "props." The final position is a good one to know and might save you many a point in practical play.

Mr. Banks attributes the problem to a certain Mawdsley as published in New Checkergram, 1933. To utilize another meaning of "props"--- Props to you if you solved it!

Michael Savino CC BY-ND 2.0