"Man up!" is an expression that is probably out of favor these days as it refers specifically to masculinity. We won't get into debates about this and we'll say no more than that we believe in all forms of equality. However "man up" in checkers is a different concept. When you are a "man up" you're quite likely to win--- if you know how.

Today's Beginner's Corner episode deals once again with that "you've got to win it" idea. A man up is usually a win, but short of the expert level, the other player isn't just going to concede; you'll have to show that you know how to win it.

Here's one such situation.

BLACK

WHITE
White to Play and Win

W:W25,21,15,K11,10:BK18,14,12,5.

Can you "man up"* and win with a man up? We think you can. Prove us right by solving the problem and then clicking on Read More to see the solution.

*Editor's Note: Obviously both men and women play and excel at checkers.

Solution

10-6 18-23---A 15-10 23-27 25-22 27-24 6-1 24-20 1-6 20-24 10-7 24-20 7-3 20-24 3-7 24-20 7-10 14-18 22-15 20-24 etc.

White is now two men up and has an easy win.

A---Clayton Cachia of Malta was kind enough to write and suggest that Black move 14-17 instead. This move evens up the piece count, and although White still wins, the job is much harder:

14-17 21x14 18x2 15-10 5-9 10-6 9-14 6-1 14-18 25-21 18-23 21-17 23-26 17-13 26-31 13-9 31-27 1-5 27-23 9-6 2x9 5x14 23-19 11-16 19-23 16-20 23-27 14-18 27-32 20-24 32-28 24-27 28-32 18-23 and White wins by First Position.