This column will appear on America's 250th birthday! It's a great day and a great and historic milestone. Your editor is old enough to remember America's 200th back in 1976, and is thrilled to be here for this next major marker in the history of a nation that is like no other in the human experience. To recognize this day in our own way, here is a fanciful story featuring many of your favorite Checker Maven characters.

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Marvin J. Mavin was enjoying a fine summer day. The National Checker League was in the off season and training camp didn't start for another month. At home in his wife Priscilla's enormous upscale condo, all he had to do was choose an activity. Swim in Priscilla's private pool? Go for a stroll around their exclusive upscale neighborhood? Stay home with a tall cool one and watch Checker Television Network? Or just take a nice little nap?

Marvin was pondering these options when suddenly there was something like a mist in the center of the room. Marvin thought perhaps he had fallen asleep and was dreaming, but then he heard a voice.

"This way, Marvin." The voice was polite but definitely commanding. "Step into the mist. The others await."

"But ... but ... " Marvin began. He was quickly interrupted.

"There is no time to lose. This day only comes once. Enter."

Marvin, not knowing why, stepped into the mist.

# # #

Marvin's wife, Priscilla, had gone to the office. Being a holiday, she thought to have at least half a day of uninterrupted work time, for as the CEO of a large international conglomerate, the work never ended.

She was busily reading through income statements when all of a sudden her desk vanished and was replaced by an opening in the floor. There was a stairway leading downward in the opening.

"Enter," a voice said in a quiet but firm voice. "Come down the stairs. The others are waiting."

"What others?" Priscilla asked, wondering if she should press the button under her desk that silently called Security. Oh ... right ... her desk had disappeared.

"Come," the voice said, not answering her question. "This day only comes once."

Priscilla, wondering if she had perhaps lost her mind under the pressure of business, started down the stairs.

# # #

Tommy Wagner was on his way to Uncle Ben's for his Saturday checker lesson on Uncle Ben's porch. It was another hot day in central Florida and Tommy was looking forward to having some of the delicious cold lemonade that Uncle Ben always made for them both to enjoy.

But a strange sight greeted him when he arrived at Uncle Ben's address. The house wasn't there! And Uncle Ben was standing in front of some sort of a shimmering rectangle that was filled with blue light that seemed to crackle with white lightning bolts.

"This way, Tommy," Uncle Ben said, "we've been called. Come with me through the portal."

"Uh ... Uncle Ben ... I don't get it ... where's the house?"

"Never mind, Tommy; all will become clear. Now hurry, this day only comes once."

Tommy really wasn't sure what to do. But he trusted Uncle Ben, and so the two of them stepped into the blue light.

# # #

Sal Westerman was in his basement study with all the fans turned on, trying to stay cool. His study was his refuge, especially during the hot days of summer. Bismarck, North Dakota may be known as a cold northern city but summers could be blistering hot and this summer, 1955, was no exception.

He had a new issue of All Checkers Digest to enjoy, and he had made a pitcher of iced tea and put it in the old refrigerator he had in his study to keep it cold during the rest of the day. He had just closed the door of the fridge when the fridge disappeared before his eyes. Instead, there was just an empty space, and behind the empty space, a portion of the wall had also vanished to be replaced by the entryway to a long corridor that stretched off into the distance.

"This way, please, Mr. Westerman," a voice said. The voice was polite and respectful but it had a certain--- presence.

"This way ... what?" Sal stammered. "What's happening here?"

"All in due course, sir," the voice said, "but please come now. There is not a lot of time."

Sal, not knowing what else to do, entered the corridor.

# # #

Many others had similar experiences. Sal's wife Sylvia was interrupted and summoned in the midst of sewing a quilt. The "boys" from Sal's Coffee and Cake Checker Club also were called. Like Sal, some were asked to walk down corridors; some were taken through shimmering portals; others descended stairways or entered clouds of mist.

Young Ed and Young Bill were called upon, each of them from different years and in different places. Even old Benny from Benny's Tavern in 1940s Newark, New Jersey, received a visit and a command from an unseen voice.

# # #

All of them suddenly found themselves standing in the National Mall in Washington D.C. Someone was standing in front of them, preparing to speak. The gathered group thought they recognized--- could it really be him?

The speaker immediately confirmed their thoughts. "Yes, I am the spirit of Tommie Wiswell," he said, "and I've gathered you together here from across the years and across the miles. All of you have been characters in the Checker Maven webzine's series of checker fiction stories, and its editor has asked me to assemble you today in the heart of the nation's capital to honor America on her 250th birthday. I know all of you to be true patriots and, no matter the year, place or circumstances, you all have a love for your country.

"America has withstood much over the years, but in good times and bad, the American spirit has prevailed, and I believe that it always will. So today we'll celebrate America's birthday together. For some of you, it's many years in the future; for others, it's the actual day, but I'm sure you will all understand."

Tommie raised his arm in a salute and the gathered group returned the salute. "On with the celebration!" he said.

# # #

The next day, Sal and Marvin and Benny and everyone else wondered what had really happened. Perhaps it was only a dream. But what a dream it was. It was a dream come true; a dream of 250 years of democracy and bringing the light of freedom into the world.

# # #

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Our story, unusually, didn't feature a checker problem, but we won't disappoint you. Of course given our story you know we're going to turn to that great American checkerist--- and patriot--- Tom Wiswell. The problem isn't by Tom; it's by Charles Hefter, but Tom thought it worthy of inclusion in one of his books.

Many "star" moves are involved on Black's part; can you meet the challenge? When you're ready, click on Read More to see the solution.

Solution

The play below is as shown in Mr. Wiswell's book and seems to be the most logical. Numerous variations on White's part are possible; you can explore them on your own.

1.	23-26*	17-21
2.	26-30*	31-26
3.	30x23	21x30
4.	23-27*	15-19
5.	27-32*	19-24
6.	32-28*	24-27
7.	28-32*	27-31
8.	18-23*	31-27
9.	23-26*	30x23
10.	22-26*	23x30
11.	32x23	30-25
12.	23-26	25-21
13.	26-22	9-6*
14.	1x10	...

Drawn.

A very practical composition and something of a challenge; we hope you enjoyed it and we certainly hope you're enjoying this great day.