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The expression "Can't win for losing" traces back to at least 1920 when it was used to describe the Detroit Tigers baseball team, which apparently was not having a good start to their season.
This phrase applies specifically to our game of checkers as well, if we alter the context a little. There are positions in which all moves lose--- except one, which wins or draws as the case may be. This happens very often. A little less frequently, there are series of such moves, which are called "star moves" being the only moves that avoid loss or preserve a win or draw.
Here's one such situation, sent along by regular contributors Lloyd and "Gosh Josh" Gordon.
BLACK
Black to Play; Both to Draw
B:W14,17,18,19,21,22,23,24,27,28,32:B5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,16,20
Here both sides have to watch their steps to obtain a draw. Can you avoid losing? Maybe you can't win, but can you at least hold the draw? Give it a go. It's a little beyond a normal first Saturday speed problem but it's worth a little extra time and effort. Do click on Read More to verify your play.
Solution
| 1. | 11-15 | ... |
10-15 loses.
| 1. | ... | 18x4 |
18-2 loses.
| 2. | 9x25 | 17-14 |
All other moves lose.
| 3. | 10x17 | 21x14 |
| 4. | 6-10 | ... |
All other moves lose.
| 4. | ... | 4-8 |
All other moves lose.
| 5. | 10x17 | 19-15 |
Other moves lose.
| 6. | 25-30 | 8-3 |
Other moves lose.
| 7. | 16-19 | 23x16 |
3-10 loses!
| 8. | 12x19 | 3x10 |
| 9. | 30-26 | ... |
17-22 and 30-25 both lose.
| 9. | ... | 10-14 |
15-11 also draws; other moves lose.
| 10. | 17-21 | 14-18 |
| 11. | 26-22 | 18x25 |
| 12. | 21x30 | 15-11 |
| 13. | 19-23 | ... |
Other moves lose.
| 13. | ... | 27x18 |
| 14. | 20x27 | 32x23 |
| 15. | 30-26* | 23-19 |
| 16. | 26-23* | 11-8 |
| 17. | 23x16 | ... |
Drawn! That was a lot of work, but we hope you enjoyed the problem. Our thanks to Lloyd and Josh for sending this to us.
Perhaps you had better stick to checkers?
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