Here is an elegant problem by an unknown author, as originally published by Tom Wiswell. It is not easy but is worth the effort.

Mr. Wiswell called it Masterpiece and we're sure you'll agree when you have it figured out. His solution can be seen by clicking on Read More.

What, indeed, makes a problem a true masterpiece? Is it an elegant solution, a deep or hidden theme, a surprise ending, or other factors? We'll combine today's problem with this short survey asking what you like most in a checker problem.

Note: The survey is no longer active.

Solution

As originally written by Tom Wiswell.

8-3, 7-10---A, 3-7, 10-14, 7-10, 14-17, 10-14, 17-21, 14-18, 19-24---B, 27-23, 24-27---C, 32-28, 27-32 (21-25, 18-22), 18-22, 32-27, 23-18, 27-32 (27-23, 22-17), 18-14, 32-27, 14-10, 27-23, 10-7, 23-19, 22-26---D, 21-25, 26-30, 25-29, 7-3, 20-24, 3-7, 24-27, 28-32---E, 27-31, 7-11, 19-23, 11-15, 31-26, 15-19, 23-16, 30-23, 29-25, 32-27, 25-22, 27-24---F, White wins.

A--- If 7-11, 3-8, 11-15, 8-11, 15-18, 11-15, 19-10, 27-24, White wins.

B--- If 21-25, 18-23, 19-26, 27-24, 20-27, 32-21, White wins.

C--- If 21-25, 32-28, 24-27, 18-22, 27-18, 22-15, 25-20, 15-19, White wins.

D--- A beautiful move; now, if 20-24, 26-31, etc., White wins.

E--- White allows Black to get three Kings and still wins, a most remarkable position and worthy of your close study.

F--- Every move has a meaning all its own. I regret that we do not know the author of this pure gem.