We've been busy working on ideas for Checker Maven columns, and we'd like to share with you a few of the things that will be happening here in times to come.

• A new feature called Uncle Ben's Porch will begin shortly. It will feature problems and positions published by one of the greatest checker authors of all time, Ben Boland, with a long-term view toward electronic republication of his classic works. We think you'll like our story line, too.
• Our regular features, such as Checker School and the speed and stroke problems will continue, as these have proved to be quite popular with our readers.
• While not a Checker Maven column per se, look for an electronic edition of Richard Pask's Key Endings before the close of 2006.
• Of course, our iconic hero, Marvin J. Mavin, will put in an appearance once in a while.
• Here's one that's been top secret up until now: we're working on a new feature with the working title, Play It Yourself, a highly interactive, web-based means for you to take either or both sides in classic games from the past. Match wits with the best, and let the computer tell you how you're doing. It's technically complex, and we'll be looking for volunteers to help with testing some time this fall.
• Finally, due to the need to work on these new ideas and the press of events, we will likely make permanent what we now call our "summer" schedule, and promise one article per week instead of two, though we'll publish two when time allows. For us, The Checker Maven is a long-term proposition--- we hope to publish for many years to come--- and we want to keep the operation viable. That means managing our commitments so we can deliver a consistent and timely product.

As always, your comments and suggestions are our guide, and we'd love to hear from you at webmaster@checkermaven.com.