In Bismarck, North Dakota, it was the Saturday after Labor Day in September 1955, and for long-time resident Sal Westerman that meant one and only one thing. The Coffee and Cake Checker Club would resume meeting at the Beacon Cafe after the club's summer hiatus. A long string of checker filled Saturday afternoons lay ahead.

Sal was in high spirits as he made the ten minute walk from his home on 13th Street over to the Provident Life Building, in which the Beacon Cafe was situated. Sal and the "boys" (all but one of whom were over 50) met at the Beacon and enjoyed wonderful baked treats made by the proprietess, Deana Nagel, accompanied by lots and lots of coffee.

As expected, there was a great turnout for the first meeting of the new season, and by the 1 PM start time the group filled both of the large booths at the back of the cafe. On hand were Larry, Delmer, Wayne, Tom, Louie the Flash, Kevin the Spooler, Dan, Mike, Ron, Young Blaine, and even Old Frank, making an even dozen.

But then, just after Sal joined the group, there was a new arrival. Now, Sal had known in advance about this, due to a telephone inquiry, but he deliberately hadn't made a prior announcement. "Boys," Sal said, "meet our newest member, Nancy German."

Nancy, reaching the back of the Cafe, gave a big smile. "Pleased to meet you, boys," she said, "and I hope you'll welcome a lady to your group."

There were enthusiatic nods all around. "Delighted to have you," Sal said, "and why don't you tell us about yourself?"

"Well," Nancy said, "I grew up in South Dakota and just moved to Bismarck over the summer to take a new job. I played a lot of checkers down in Pierre and was even on the Pierre municipal team. So when I heard about Sal and the club, naturally I wanted to join. Now, I have to work on Saturday a lot of the time, so I won't be here every week, but I'll do my best, both to show up, participate in problem solving, and try to give you some good games of skittles."

Again all the boys expressed enthusiasm. "Have a seat," Dan said, moving over to make room at the side of one of the booths. We usually start out with Sal giving us a problem to solve."

Nancy took the proferred seat. "Yes, Sal explained that to me over the phone, and how you boys buy treats if you can't solve it and Sal buys if you can. But look, as a newcomer, regardless how it turns out, I'd like to treat today."

Just then, with her usual great timing, the Beacon's proprietess, Deana Nagel, spoke up from behind her service counter. "Fresh apple pie," she said. "I got hold of a batch of really nice apples from a farm just outside of Mandan, across the river."

"Mighty kind of you to offer to buy," Wayne said to Nancy, "and apple pie sounds fantastic, but you really don't have to do that."

"I want to," Nancy replied. "I'd like to show appreciation for you welcoming me to your club and letting me be one of the 'boys'."

There were chuckles from everyone. "Sure," said Louie the Flash, "you can be one of us 'boys' if you wish."

Then Sal said, "Well now, shall we get into it? First problem of the season!"

Sal laid out the following position on a checkerboard on the table in each booth.

"Take a little time," he said, "maybe you're all a bit rusty after the summer layoff."

But the boys--- and Nancy--- were deep into contemplation of the problem.

---

We welcome our readers back to the Beacon Cafe, at least virtually, even though 1955 was quite a while back. Get yourself some of that good virtual cafe coffee, and sit down with the 'boys' to solve the problem. When you're done, click on Read More to see the solution, the brief conclusion of our story, and to get yourself some virtual apple pie made with apples fresh off the tree from Mandan, North Dakota. Sorry ... if you want real coffee and apple pie, you're on your own--- but it sure does sound good.

Solution and Conclusion

About forty five minutes passed, interrupted only by Deana refilling everyone's coffee mug. Then Larry spoke up. "We've got it!" he said, and went on, "well, actually Nancy got it. She'll show you."

Nancy demonstrated the following play.

1.	...	16-12*
2.	8-11	12-16
3.	11-15	26-22*
4.	21-25	20-24*
5.	25x18	16-19*
6.	18-22	19x10
7.	22-17	24-19
8.	17-13	10-14
9.	1-5	19-15
10.	13-9	14-10
11.	9-13	10-6
12.	13-17	15-10

Left here as a White win. One way is as follows.

13.	17-21	10-14
14.	21-25	14-18
15.	25-21	18-22

White Wins.

"Well done!" Sal said.

"Thank you Sal," Nancy said, "and now let's have our apple pie!"

Deana, on cue, appeared with a fresh pot of coffee and a large tray of generous apple pie slices.

The boys (who now counted Nancy among their number) enjoyed their pie and coffee and then talked checkers and played skittles right up until Deana's 5 PM closing time. Nancy acquitted herself well in skittles play and everyone was happy to have an enthusiatic and skilled new member of the Coffee and Cake Checker Club.

Today's problem was by noted problemist S. J. Pickering, who was famed back in the day for his small but clever 'cameo' settings.