Credit: Quotefancy

The quote above, used in a slightly different form by Mark Twain in Huckleberry Finn, is generally taken to mean that you are responsible for your actions. This certainly applies to many if not all things in life--- and it's something well illustrated in our game of checkers.

Today's problem is a first Saturday of the month speed problem, in which you pay your money (actually, you don't; The Checker Maven is a free public service) and take your choice--- of checker moves--- after which you'll be responsible for the outcome.

WHITE

BLACK
Black to Play; What Result?

B:W14,15,17,19,22,25,30,32:B5,7,8,9,10,11,13,23

The problem isn't hard at all; you just have to make the right choice. Which jump do you take? What will be the outcome of one jump or the other? See what consequences your choices may have, and then choose to click on Read More to see the solution.

Solution

9x18*---A 15x6 7-10 22x15 13x29 6-2 11x18 and Black wins easily.

A---The star move and the only way to win. The alternative jump looks tempting but Black would get a surprise: 11x18 22x613x29 6-2 9x18 2x4 and it's a draw.

Thanks to Lloyd and "Gosh Josh" Gordon, our regular Toronto-based contributors, for sending this along.