AA Checker Star "Gosh Josh" Gordon
Lloyd Gordon, with permission

Josh is back again this week!

Lloyd and "Gosh Josh" Gordon are long-time contributors to our columns, sending along problems derived from their nightly over the board contests. Today, as part of our (more or less) monthly speed problem columns, we're introducing a new feature, Beat Gosh Josh. In this series we plan to take some of the situations the Gordons send us and ask you to try to get a win (or even a draw) from Josh.

Now, keep in mind, in our fictional series about Josh, he's an up and coming player who has quickly reached AA play with the Erie Eliminators, and will likely soon move up to a AAA team. Josh is no pushover.

Here's our inaugural problem.

WHITE (Gosh Josh)

BLACK
Black to Play and Win

B:W13,17,19,21,24,27,28,30,32:B1,6,8,10,11,12,14,15,18

Take up the challenge! Are you ready to play AAA checkers? Solve the problem and then click on Read More to see the solution.

Solution

Here's how you can win one from Josh. It's not very hard if you get the first move right. Variations in play are possible.

18-22---A 27-23 22-26 32-27 26-31 30-25 31-26 25-22 26-31
and White is out of moves.

A---Were you tempted to play the natural looking 11-16? Observe: 11-16 30-25* 16x23 25-22* 18x25 27x2 and White will win.

How did you do against Josh? Let us know if you like this new series!