The Checker Maven
Jump to navigationRelatively Easy; A Speed Problem
What's easy for some isn't quite so easy for others. The math above is quite simple if you happen to be a Ph.D. mathematician. If you struggle with high school algebra, you may not find it all that easy.
Regular contributors Lloyd and Josh Gordon sent us a checker problem which illustrates this concept rather well. Take a look at the diagram below.
BLACK
Black to Play and Win
B:W10,K11,15:B3,K18,K19
Is this problem easy? For a player with a little experience, it's pretty straightforward. For a novice, it might be harder and take a little more effort. While we're calling it a "speed problem" we won't specify a time limit. Solve it as quickly as you can.
What's easy for anyone, though, is clicking on Read More to see the solution.
Solution
18-14 11-7 14-9 7-2---A 3-8 Black wins. White loses at least one piece.
A---7-11 3-8! 11x4 9-14 4-8 14x7 Black wins, as White loses another piece.
We thought this one to be a nice little moment of checker fun. Our thanks to Lloyd and Josh as always.
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