The

Major Tactics
of

Checkers
Covering a complete course in the
strategies and science of checkers
as given in a series of Radio
Lectures over Radio Station
W.N.Y.C.

By MILLARD F. HOPPER
Author of
"How TO WIN AT CHECKERS"
 Major Tactics of Checkers
PUBLIC LIBRARY
886982A
The Pieces Set Up for Play.
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
Diagram I
R 1937 L
PART I
I F YOU were to ask the average
person how many people know
how to play checkers, no doubt
he would reply, "Why, Everyone
knows how to play checkers." That an­
swer though it sounds logical is a long
way from the truth. The fact is—very
few people actually know how to play
checkers.
The game that the average person
plays wherein the checkers are moved
at random and the lucky one wins, is
certainly not checkers by any means.
Notice an expert at play sometime and
you'll soon realize the difference. Watch
him as he gives away two or three
checkers, to retaliate by jumping sev-
eral of his opponents pieces. See him
obtain a draw position with two kings
against three and you will begin to gain
a surprising insight into this facinating
game. Incidently, this season finds check­
ers fast becoming one of the leading
popular pastimes, with checker clubs
being formed in almost every large city
in the country.
Team matches are going on, checker
columns are appearing in the local pa­
pers and the year 1934 will witness the
greatest checker gathering of all time,
"The eight American tournament for
the championship o f the United States."
Hundred of players will appear in this
match, coming from every state in the
union; and the games and scores will
receive wide publicity through the press.
While many players will not be in a
position to attend and participate in
this great event, still they would derive
much satisfaction in knowing that they
themselves are in the expert class and
can review and analyze the games play­
ed in this great battle. Therefore, I
feel that a course of lectures on the
science of checkers is most opportune
and will be welcomed by the vast check­
er playing fraternity.
As I mentioned in my handbook,
"How to Win at Checkers," the easiest
way to master this game is by having
its science and strategies presented in
simplified form, rather than in columns
of dry figures which only serve to con­
The Numbered Board.
Diagram 2
fuse and discourage the aspirant for
checker honors.
It is true that there are checker books
giving thousands upon thousands of
games f o r their readers to memorize.
However, it is obvious that this is im­
possible, for even should a person be
fortunate enough to be able to devote
his entire time to this hobby, he would
still be unable to keep a grasp of all
these countless moves. The human mind
can only retain a certain amount o f
memorized subject matter and as it be­
comes overcrowded with new additions,
it naturally releases some of its pre­
viously stored knowledge.
Occasionally an individual may be
gifted with a remarkable memory and
be able to retain a grasp of an unusual
number of facts, but even so, checkers,
contains such an infinite number of
combinations that even a phenomenal
genius would find himself lost in its
labyrinth of moves and variations.
Obviously, there must be a more sen­
sible approach to this game, for half of
its facinating features are lost entirely
when we confine our researches into it
to the assimilation o f dry columns of
figures. It is with this idea in mind that
I have attemped to treat the study of
checkers in a manner that would best
convey its scientific principles while at
the same time adding enjoyment to its
study.
After all, the fundamental strategies
of the game are far more valuable to the
student than a host of memorized games.
Take two beginners at the game and
give one a book like Robertson's Guide,
which contains 3340 columns of vari­
ations or a total of 150,000 moves, and
give the other beginner a simple hand­
book explaining the different traps and
strokes of the game and its elemen­
tary principles and extend them each a
month's time to study same. Then match
them together and see the result, the
player who has digested the really vital
principles of the game in the handbook
will far excell his opponent.
This does not mean that I would infer
that volumes listing thousands of lines
of play are useless, but only that they
 MAJOR TACTICS OF CHECKERS
be employed solely as books of refer­
ence. When you acquire your degree as
a master of checkers, then it is you will
find these compilations of great inter­
est.
Primarily your objective is to learn
what is known as crossboard play, and
once you acquire proficiency at this art,
you can sit down against any expert
and give him a battle.
There are two styles of checkers. One
is the " g o as you please" style, and the
other the modern "two move" restric­
tion. The first is of most importance as
an aid to crossboard play, while the
second only of necessity to those in­
tending a really professional checker
career. In a way, both styles of game
are closely related to each other, as I
will show later on.
"Go as you please" checkers as the
title implies, means practically the priv­
ilege of moving as you wish at the start
of the game. This, in other words, is
ordinary checkers as it has been played
for centuries. The "two move" restric­
tion is a modern introduction designed
to compel more variety o f play and
simply means that the opening two
moves of the game must be arranged
by balloting.
In the former, the " g o as you please"
style, it is possible for a student to be­
come almost unbeatable by the adop-
tion of a forcing system which confines
the lines of play to a minimum number.
No doubt, most of you desiring only
to employ checkers as a hobby, would
welcome a "modus operandi" of this
kind which gives you an early expert
classification. In checkers the first two
moves of the game form what is known
as "the opening." For instance, if Black
moves from square 11 to square 15,
and White replies 24 to 20, it is known
as the "Ayshire Lassie" opening. If
Black moves 11 to 16, and White replies
24 to 20, it forms the "Bristol" open­
ing. In other words, the seven opening
moves of Black and the seven replies
of White form combinations, each
having a special name and leading to
distinct types of games.
THE FORCING SYSTEM
What the student must first decide in
"go as you please" style, is what open­
ing or attack he should adopt. That is
exactly where the forcing system comes
in, for it enables a player by choosing
certain openings which I will detail, to
eliminate a majority of variations and
thus force his adversary to fight him
on his own battle front. This is in itself
a fundamental strategy, for it gives the
player who take the initiative, the ad­
vantage of keeping the play within cer­
tain lines with which he is familiar.
Let us assume you have your check­
ers set up on your numbered board as
explained, the black checkers occupying
the squaresfrom 1 to 12, and the White's
the squares from 21 to 32. (See dia­
grams one and two.) You will note
3
Black having the first move has the
choice of seven different moves. He can
play 11 to 16, 11 to 15, or 12 to 16,
on the left side of his board as it faces
him, or else he can play 10 to 15 or 10
to 14 on his center, or 9 to 14, or 9 to
13 on his right flank.
Each of these opening moves, attacks
a different section of the battle front
and leads to separate formations. It
is these formations classified under dif­
ferent names that form the openings of
checkers. For instance, 11 to 16 as
Black's first move leaves white the
choice of playing 24 to 19 in reply
forming the "Paisley" opening or 24
to 20, forming the "Bristol."
In both these instances it will be
noted Black gives White the choice of
the openings. The Black move of 11 to
15 at the commencement of the game
gives White even more variety of re­
plies, for after 11 to 15, White can
play 24 to 20, making the game an
"Ayshire Lassie" formation or 23 to
19 leading to the old 14th, Defiance,
Nailor, Douglas, or several other open­
ings. The point is—while 11 to 16 and
11 to 15 are very formidable opening
moves, they nevertheless, open the way
to a wide selection of games with the
initiative of forming same in White's
hands.
In other words, when a player decides
to adopt 11 to 15 or 11 to 16, as his
first move, he must necessarily study
and become conversant with all the
variations of play that may develop
from these two moves. If a player hasn't
the time at his command to study these
different games and their many varia­
tions, he will find himself handicaped
to a certain extent for White can force
the game into an opening with which
he is familiar. How then, you may ask,
can we overcome this handicap? The
answer is, by making an attack that
leaves no choice of opening to the
White.
Black has two such opening moves,
10 to 15 and 9 to 14. The first forming
the "Kelso" opening and the second,
the "Double Corner." Both these open­
ing moves are strong attacking forma­
tions and gives Black the initiative.
Likewise, they eliminate the necessity
of the rising player having to study all
the other formations mentioned. Again,
looking still further to condense our
studies, we can confine ourselves to 9
to 14 as the opening Black attack; and
compel the "Double Corner" formation.
Some experts might be inclined to
criticize this suggestion of mine to the
new player to always lead off with the
same move at the start of the game.
However, when we bear in mind that
my object 5s to show the new comer
the quickest and surest way of being
able to hold his own against the pro­
fessional, the wisdom of this system be
comes apparent.
One or two opening well learned are
of far more value to the student than
4 MAJOR TACTICS OF CHECKERS
dozens of openings partly studied. The
professional player, it must be remem­
bered, can safely be more extensive in
his selction of opening attacks, for he
is constantly playing and studying the
game. To endeavor to exchange blow
for blow on these diversified grounds,
means to play directly into his hands.
Suppose for example, you knew a
little book play on several openings and
you led off with 11 to 15 as your initial
move. Perhaps after several moves the
game may develop into an Old 14th.
You may say to yourself, oh! this is
the "Old 14th," I remember I studied
a few variations on this formation, and
you proceed to run the game into those
lines. Your oponent, if a professional,
will gladly accomodate you for it is
just what he desires. Without realizing
it, you are handicapping yourself for
the professional now has you on his
own grounds with which he is far bet­
ter acquainted than you.
He leads you on to a certain stage
and then he varies from the line that
you are familiar with and you are total­
ly at sea as to your next moves. Pos­
sibly, you may by chance make a few
correct replies, but generally before
many moves are made, you either fall
into a trap or make a weak move and
lose the game. The moral is, learn one
game and learn it well, before you take
up others. Now having decided you
will specialize on the 'Double Corner"
opening formed by 9 to 14 as Black's
opening move, you proceed to find which
are the strongest lines of play on this
formation and the ones containing the
least number of variations.
Immediately you will find that the
aspect of learning scientific checkers
becomes a plausible accomplishment
rather than a discouraging attainment.
This same forcing system can be applied
when you have the white checkers also,
as I'll detail later, but first I'll ask you
to set up your checkers on your board
with the Black pieces nearest you.
Imagine you have a noted profes­
sional facing you across the squares
and you wish to give a good account
of yourself. It is your move and you
have the Black pieces. You move the
checker on square 9 to 14. Invariably,
your capable adversary will reply 22
to 18, the checker on square 22 going
to square 18. Your next move 11 to 15
immediately confines the play still fur­
ther, for 5 to 9, as given in "Lee's
Guide" gives your opponent the choice
of playing either 24 to 20, 24 to 19,
or 25 to 22, three separate formations,
with numerous variations of play.
PRICIPLES OF CROSS BOARD
PLAY
Having moved 11 to 15, following
his 22 to 18 move, he is compelled to
jump your man. Exercising careful con­
sideration on every move, as experts
are wont to do, he notes that he has
two ways of jumping and weighs each
respectively. A few moments study and
he jumps from 18 to 9, the strongest
reply which breaks up Black's Double
Corner slightly. Black jumps back from
5 to 14. White now pushes up 25 to 22,
which is the usual follow up on this
defense. Besides 25 to 22, white might
also play 23 to 19, 24 to 19, or 24 to
20, each being tenable lines, which run
into variations one, two and three as I
will show later.
As there will be several other vari­
ations referred to in each of the illus­
trated games, I would like the student
to avail himself of a piece of note paper
and copy down the move by move de­
scription of the plays as I give them.
The moves made to this stage are as
follows; 9 to 14, 22 to 18, 11 to 15, 18
to 9, 5 to 14, 25 to 22. Now continue
8 to 11, and 22 to 17. Opposite the
numbers 22 to 17, mark down varia­
tions 1, 2 and 3.
White has just moved 22 to 17, and
black's next reply is 4 to 8 (copy that
down), the checker on square 4 moving
to square 8; backing up the preceding
man on square 11, and forming a com­
pleted file down the center of the board,
formed by the black checkers on squares
8, 11, and 15.
It might be well to mention here that
these line-up formations of three check­
ers in a straight row compose a power­
ful attacking force. Checkers, so lined
up always threaten to exchange and
break up your opponents offensive.
The students should make a note of
this, as it is one of the important prin­
ciples of the major tactics of checkers.
As we go on in our lectures, it will be­
come apparent to our listeners how
closely allied are the principles of check­
ers and the technics of modern war­
fare
As in a battle, two armies of men are
opposing each other with equal forces.
Each attacks and strives to secure ad­
vantageous positions wherein he can
destroy the ranks of his enemies force.
Study the position on your boards
again and note how compact your black
pieces are, also their wedge-shaped for­
mation ending in a spearhead alignment
with its vertex at square 15.
White who has adopted a flanking
defense now moves from 24 to 20, al­
though 23 to 19 which runs into varia­
tion one, is quite good. After white's
move 24 to 20, black makes his thrust
at white's Double Corner side of the
board and by exchanging 15 to 19, 23
to 16, and 12 to 19, occupies square 19,
and holds complete control of the cen­
ter of the board.
I might interrupt here for a moment
to again advise the rising checkerist
that to derive the most benefit from
these games, he should copy each move
down on his note paper as given, also
the numbers of the variations occur-
ing at different stages.
Now let us continue, with white mov­
ing 29 to 25, bringing up a reserve
 MAJOR TACTICS OF CHECKERS
checker to help resist the black advance.
Black now moves 11 to 15, the checker
on square 11 going to square 15, form­
ing another complete line-up of three
men, on squares 10, 15, and 19.
On black's right oblique, his check­
ers occupying squares 7, 10 and 14,
also form a completed file, only its
attacking force is lost, for two white
checkers on square 17 and 21 effectively
block its advance.
In case any of my students do not
quite comprehend this reference to
completed files, I'll explain again, that
whenever three of your pieces form a
straight line on the board, (that is,
three checkers in a row in any direc­
tion) they may be said to form a com­
pleted file or line-up.
In the position as set up on your
boards at present, you will notice that
black has as many as five men in a row
on squares, 1, 6, 10, 15 and 19, and four
men in a row on squares 3, 7, 10 and
14. However, as it is mainly the line­
up of the three first checkers that are
of prime importance, we refer to these
three as a completed file; hence the
checkers on 19, 15, and 10 occupy the
file on the left diagonal, while the pieces
on 14, 10, and 7, complete the file on
the right diagonal. (The terms, right
and left diagonal here simply mean the
squares running in a right or left direc­
tion.)
I believe this point has been made
clear, so we will continue with white's
moving 27 to 24, blocking black's com­
pleted left file; and black then continues
8 to 11.
Study the position again at this stage.
Black could move 7 to 11, instead and
form a line-up by men on 8, 11 and 15,
but the black man on 19 and the white
on 24, serve to confine the freedom of
this file, and it is, therefore, better to
play 8 to 11 at this stage, forming a
sound consolidation of your pieces. Play
8 to 11, and see how solid your men
are aligned, every checker is backing
up a man in front.
White now is in a critical position and
may be tempted into a neat trap. Look
at your checkers—how many players
with the white's might be tempted into
playing 32 to 27 as their next move.
The object of it might be to go to 23,
a move later, squeezing the black man
on 19, and compelling black to back
him up. That plan might be feasible
only for the fact that 32 to 27 imme­
diately gives black a neat winning
stroke. Move 32 to 27 on your boards
and then move the black checker from
19 to 23 and see the result.
White has two ways to jump, one
wherein he jumps from 27 to 9, and
the other where he jumps from 26 to
19. The first jump as is apparent, gives
black a three jump in exchange, the
checker on square 6 hurdling from 6
to 13, from 13 to 22, and from 22 to
29, gaining an immediate win by being
a man ahead.
5
The other jump you may exclaim gives
white a checker for nothing. Well, make
that jump, 26 to 19 and then move the
black man on 14 to square 18. Now see
how circumstances stand—white it is
true, is a man ahead, but black's sacri­
fice play is nevertheless a winner for
he now threatens an immediate two for
one by 18 to 23, which would recover
the man and likewise secure a king on
square 29.
Regardless of what white does, he
cannot prevent this exchange by 18 to
23. White might try and wiggle out of
it by 17 to 14, but if you jump correct­
ly, the "two for one," is still there and
lands you in his king row.
I'll continue a few more moves to
demonstrate how black with the advan­
tage gained by this "gambit" or sacrifie
play, proceeds to his win. The last
moves made were 19 to 23, 26 to 19,
14 to 18, and then 17 to 14. Continue
10 to 17, 21 to 14, 18 to 23, 27 to 18,
15 to 29. Black has now merely to move
from 1 to 5, and then from 6 to 10 and
he can steal the white checker left
unprotected on square 14. No matter
where white moves in reply after 1 to 5,
he cannot save this man.
After black captures this piece, he
moves on down to square 21 and re­
leases his king which comes out and an­
nihilates the remaining white forces
Now I hope all of you have copied those
moves and notations down, as it will bo
necessary to review the entire game sev­
eral times to thoroughly grasp its sig­
nificant formations and manoeuvres.
Of course, our checker fans are curi
ous to know how white should have
moved at the time he fell into black's
snare. Upon reference to your game,
you will find 32 to 27 was the losing
play.
Instead of 32 to 27, white's road to
a draw is to move from 17 to 13. The
play then would continue 1 to 5, for
black. (Black also can draw by 14 to
18, but 1 to 5 is strongest and gives
more opportunities for a win.)
After 1 to 5, 25 to 22, is white's best
play, then 14 to 18 for black and 22 to
17 for white. Now black essays 18 to
23, an advance deep into white's terri­
tory, but as usual, black before making
this move, has carefully analyzed the
moves ahead. He has foreseen that if
white reply 31 to 27, he can move 3 to
8, allowing the jump and jumping two
in return. Also he has noted that 17 to
14, by white would leave him in a posi­
tion to get two for one by 6 to 9.
White having no other move but 26
to 22, makes that play, and black ex­
changes 11 to 16, 20 to 11, 7 to 16. Now
pause and study the reason for this play.
You will see that after white played 26
to 22, black's checker on 23 was in jeop­
ardy, as white coul play 31 to 27 next
move and steal this man.
Black, therefore, to protect this man,
exchanged 11 to 16, which left him with
a completed line up, the strong attack-
6 MAJOR TACTICS OF CHECKERS
ing formation previously referred to.
Note the three black checkers on the
file 16, 19 and 2 3 . Again white has but
one tenable reply; 24 to 20; for if he
plays 31 to 27, black can exchange or
swop off by 23 to 26 and secure a king.
If 31 to 26, black naturally moves 16
to 20 and gains the white checker on 24.
Therefore, 24 to 20 is white's only
play and black is compelled to go 3 to
7; white jumping 20 to 11, and black
replying 7 to 16. Now white is in a
position where he must resort to a gam­
bit or sacrifie play to avoid a lost game
and moves 28 to 24, giving black a
checker to destroy his file line-up on
squares 16, 19, and 23. After white
moves 28 to 24, black jumps to 28, and
white retaliates by 31 to 27, to recover
the man he has given away.
Black's best play now is to move 23
to 26. The motive for this move is ob­
vious. Black has to lose the man on 23,
but rather than let white jump it as he
intends, he can break up white's king
row by moving the man from 23 to 26.
This strategy comes up numerous times
in games and oftimes brings a winning
position. It is highly advisable to mem­
orize this strategy; for once you have
learned it, vou will find it helps you to
win many games. So bear in mind, when
vou have a man facing your adversary's
king row, observe if you can sacrifice
this man in a way that will allow you
to run in another for a king. In this
instance, by moving 23 to 26, white
must jump 30 to 23, and you can then
advance 15 to 19, and 19 to 23, and
head in for a king.
After 15 to 19, white is forced 23 to
18, and when you move on 19 to 23,
white pushes 18 to 14. Here again the
position deserves your full attention.
Your move 18 to 23 was your best play,
but whites's 18 to 14 reply needs to be
met with caution. Should you rush on
in for your king by 23 to 26, you would
be making the usual fault of the ama­
teur of not studying every one of the
moves at your command.
In this case, if you move 23 to 26,
white jumps 14 to 7, then you take 2
to 11, and he moves 17 to 14, and in
a move or two gets a "two for one"
shot on you and wins. The correct
black move after 18 to 14 by white is
10 to 15.
Look this over carefully—black's best
play is to allow white to jump two of
his men for nothing; for he can then
play 6 to 9 on his next move, and obtain
a "three for one" stroke which evens up
things and makes a neat draw position.
Here's the moves once again—18 to 14,
10 to 15, 27 to 11, 6 to 9, 13 to 6, 2 to
25 drawn. This game just reviewed con­
tains several most instructive strategies
of play and, (might I add once again,)
should be played over several times.
Remember; becoming a checker ex­
pert does not depend on storing away
dry columns of figures, but in learning
the principles of position, both middle
and end game strategy, and the multi­
form traps and strokes which accom­
pany your battle manoeuvres.
VARIATION ONE
Now let us turn to variations one,
two, and three at white's fourth move
22 to 17. Variaion one is 23 to 19,
which move white may make instead of
22 to 17, as played in the trunk game.
Set the position up on your boards up
to the 22 to 17 move and taking a new
sheet of memo paper mark down "vari­
ation one."
Now instead of playing 22 to 17, move
white's checker from 23 to 19. I'll re­
peat the moves from the start to this
stage—i.e.—9 to 14, 22 to 18, 11 to 15,
18 to 9, 5 to 14, 25 to 22, 8 to 11, and
23 to 19. Now continue with black's
next move. 4 to 8, forming the center
line-up and white's next move 22 to 17.
Should white play 29 to 25 instead
of 22 to 17, at this stage, Black gets
a strong game by playing 6 to 9, and
then 9 to 13, getting a grip on white's
men on 25, 22 and 21. This again
exemplifies another of the principles of
cross-broad formation. "Never move a
checker from square 29 to 25, when
there is a man on 22 and 21, and when
black has checkers on squares 13, 14
and 15."
Technically, this may appear to the
student as a numerical formulai that
will tax his mental faculties to remem­
ber, but in reality there is no need to
try and register these numbers in your
mind. It is only the basic idea that needs
to be learned.
Just glance down at your boards.
White has checkers on 29, 30, 21 and
22, and black has men on 14 and 15,
and a checker on square 6 that can
move into square 13. As the position
stands, white has a "line-up" of three
men on squares 22, 26 and 31, which
can exchange or swap off if necessary.
Now you will note the moment you
move the checker on 29 to 25, this
"line-up" becomes useless for the white
man on square 22 can no longer ex­
change. In other words, white's pieces
are only effective when they are free
to move or exchange.
It is obvious that 29 to 25 only serves
to bottle up three of your fighting men,
a handicap that generally leads to dis­
aster. Therefore, white avoids this
cramped position by moving 22, to 17
at this stage. The game would then
continue 15 to 18, 19 to 15, 10 to 19,
24 to 15, 18 to 22, 17 to 10, 11 to 18,
26 to 17, 6 to 15, and 30 to 26.
Now, once again black forms a cen­
ter "line-up" by 8 to 11, and white
breaks it up by exchanging 26 to 22,
black jumping 18 to 25, and white re­
taking 29 to 22.
Black, however, again forms this file
"line-up" by moving 3 to 8, with a
view to exchanging 15 to 18 next move,
white discerning that he himself can
also exchange by 27 to 23, moves 17 to
 MAJOR TACTICS OF CHECKERS
14, allowing black the swap by 15 to
18, make the jumps 15 to 18, 22 to 15,
11 to 18, 27 to 23, 18 to 27, 32 to 23,
and we have a drawn game.
Some students may question the te­
merity of proclaiming the game a draw
with five pieces a side remaining on
the board, but the fact that the position
is open and that both players can se­
cure kings wihout difficulty allows this
presumption.
Later on in my lectures, I am devot­
ing a chapter to end game play showing
selected positions that cover almost
every known ruse or strategy that can
arise during the closing moves of a
game.
At present our attention is focused
on the opening and middle game and
we still have variations two and three
to look into. Both of these variations
are from the trunk game at whites 4th
move.
If you have followed my advice and
kept track of the moves and notes
mentioned on your memorandum pad,
you will know exactly where these vari­
ations come in. However, I'll give the
opening moves to this point, i.e.,—9 to
14, 22 to 18, 11 to 15, 18 to 9, 5 to
• 14, 25 to 22, and 8 to 11.
In our trunk game we showed the
proper defense for black against 22 to
17 as white's next move, and in varia­
tion one, we gave play on 23 to 19.
Two other possible replies of white re­
main to be investigated, 24 to 19 and
24 to 20.
VARIATION T W O
As 24 to 19 is listed on your pads as
variation two, we will assume this move
has been chosen here as white's next
play—move 24 to 19. Black jumps from
15 to 24, and white replies 28 to 19.
White might have jumped 27 to 20
here, but a jump to the center of the
board is with very few exceptions al­
ways the strongest. The 27 to 20 jump
would place another white checker on
the side squares and a man on the sides
of the board is potentially weakened
for he attacks but in one direction. So,
therefore, white rejumps from 28 to
19, and it is black's move.
Black advances his man on 11 to
square 15, taking the offensive against
the checker occuping square 19. White
replies 32 to 28, allowing black to jump
15 to 24 and rejumping 28 to 19, and
again occupying square 19, a valuable
square to hold.
Black then continues 4 to 8, bring­
ing up another man to the front and
white pushes 22 to 18, looking to dis­
lodge black from square 14 which sim­
ilar to square 19, is a key position.
Black retaliates in the same manner
as white and moves the checker in his
double corner from square 1 to 5. White
jumping 18 to 9 and black 5 to 14. Now,
notice, the oddity of the game, for when
white moves 29 to 25, both players have
exactly the same positions on the board.
7
Black, however, has the move, and
plays 8 to 11, white duplicates it by 25
to 22 and after black moves 11 to 15,
plays 22 to 18. It is obvious here that
if white moves 27 to 24, instead, black
gets a "two for two" by 15 to 18, fol­
lowed by 12 to 16.
Continuing with white playing 22 to
18, black jumps 15 to 24, white takes
18 to 9. Black jumps 6 to 13 and white
27 to 20. It is now black's move and he
gains control of the center of the board
by moving 10 to 15.
White's best reply is 26 to 22, and
black breaks down the last barrier to
the king row by 15 to 19, 23 to 16, and
12 to 19. White now plays 30 to 26,
black goes 19 to 24 and then 22 to 18,
and 24 to 28 leaves white with but a
narrow draw.
When games arrive at this stage, the
general objective is to endeavor to bring
your king out as quickly as possible and
employ it to "pin" as many of your ad­
versary's single checkers while at the
same time running your own single men
in for more kings. The end game posi­
tions detailed later on, will give a clear
insight into this branch of the science.
VARIATION THREE
Now reset your checkers again and
we will look into variation three, r e f e -
red to previously. Run your "double
corner" attack up again by 9 to 14, 22
to 18, 11 to 15, 18 to 9, 5 to 14, 25 to
22, and 8 to 11, and we arrive at varia
tion 3—24 to 20.
Black's play against this is 15 to 19.
forcing the exchange 23 to 16, 12 to 19.
Now should white be tempted into try­
ing to run off your checker on 19 by
squeezing 27 to 23, 4 to 8, 23 to 16, 8
to 12, 32 to 27, 12 to 19, 27 to 23, 3
to 8, 23 to 16, 8 to 12, 31 to 27, 12 to
19, 27 to 23, 11 to 16, 20 to 11, 7 to 16,
he ends up with a very weak game;
continue 22 to 18, 1 to 5, 18 to 9, 5 to
14, 29 to 25, 10 to 15, 25 to 22, 15 to
18, 22 to 15, 14 to 17, 21 to 14, 6 to 10,
14 to 7, 2 to 27, makes white run for
his draw.
Now reset your men and play up to
this point again. 9 to 14, 22 to 18, 11
to 15, 18 to 9, 5 to 14, 25 to 22, 8 to 11,
24 to 20, 15 to 19, 23 to 16, 12 to 19.
Now as shown, 27 to 23 is weak. The
present formation is now into what is
known as "The Bristol" opening and
22 to 17 is white's best play.
Black replies 4 to 8 and white plays
27 to 24. (Should white move 29 to 25,
here instead of 27 to 24, the game would
run into the trunk line already shown.)
Continue with white moving 27 to 24.
Black advances 11 to 15, and white 32
to 27. (Should white play 20 to 16,
black's play would be 8 to 11.) After
32 to 27, black plays 8 to 11, laying for
white to g o 29 to 25, which would give
the shot illustrated previously by 19 to
23 and 14 to 18.
White however avoids this pit fall and
goes 17 to 13, and black continues with
 8 MAJOR TACTICS OF CHECKERS
1 to 5. Now 29 to 25, is whites best
play. If 27 to 23 here, 11 to 16, 20 to
11, 7 to 16, 24 to 20, 3 to 7 gives Black
a good game.
After white moves 29 to 25, black's
move is 3 to 8. Then 27 to 23, 8 to 12,
23 to 16, and 12 to 19 forms a most
instructive position. If white plays 31
to 27, black moves 11 to 16, 20 to 11,
7 to 16 followed by 24 to 20, 14 to 18,
20 to 11, 18 to 23 and gets a winning
position. (Reset the position, black men
on 2, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 14, 15 and 19.
White men on squares 13, 20, 21, 25,
24, 26, 28, 30 and 31.)
White's best road to a draw is by a
sacrifice play 21 to 17, black jumping
from 14 to 21. Then white moves 25 to
22 and threatens an immediate "two for
one" by 22 to 18. Black is necessarily
forced 11 to 16. (If he goes 10 to 14,
white gets a "3 for 1" by 13 to 9, 6 to
13, 22 to 17.)
After 11 to 16 by black, white jumps
20 to 11 and black retakes 7 to 16. Then
24 to 20 for white, 10 to 14 for black
and 20 to 11, 21 to 25, 30 to 21, 14 to
17, 21 to 14, 6 to 9, 13 to 6, and 2 to
25 gives a neat draw.
It would be well for the student to
give careful study to the ending of this
variation; from the point where white
makes his clever sacrifice. The complete
way that black is tied up even though
i checker ahead shows how carefully
the white checkers have analyzed the
moves in advance.
Note how black is compelled to go 11
to 16, and even then, after white moves
"4 to 20, and prepares to jump your
man on square 16, you are in a position
hat requires careful study. Should you
move 5 to 9, white gets a king and wins
easily. Your one and only draw move
is 10 to 14, followed by 21 to 25, 14
to 17 as detailed. This "three for three"
shot is most instructive and solves many
critical middle game positions.
I have now given my students a sound
plan of battle with the black checkers.
The "double corner" trunk line and the
three accompanying variations 1, 2 and
3, if learned thoroughly, gives any play­
er a chance to hold his own against any
expert.
Your first move 9 to 14 immediately
forces the play into the "double corner"
opening and your second move 11 to 15
forces the game still further into the
definite lines of play you have reviewed.
By learning these lines of play as
given and adopting this forcing system,
you will find you have eliminated thou­
sands of variation of play. The point
is, force your expert on ground you
know at least as well as he does and
see the difference in your scores.
The next step is to apply the same
forcing system when you have the white
checkers.
DEFENDING THE WHITE SIDE
Having piloted your black checkers
through an interesting game, reset your
pieces on the board; only this time the
white checkers should be facing you
and you must adopt an entirely new
line of defense. Remember to turn your
boards around as the white checkers al­
ways occupy the high numbered squares.
Of course, this time you cannot apply
your forcing system immediately for
black has the privilege of making the
opening move. However, as the majority
of checkerists have a partiality for 11
to 15 as their opening play, we will
direct your researches to this most ac­
tive point on your battle front.
Later on, in part four of my series
of lectures, under the heading of "two
move restriction openings," I outline
the other possible black moves at this
stage and the strongest reply to each.
While this is of great value to the play­
er who contemplates proffessional con­
tests, it lends little aid to cross-board
ability which is the real foundation of
checker skill.
To dictate the first few moves of
every opening is merely to show you
how to line your men up on your battle
front in relation to the attack that your
adversary has launched. Afer that, when
the battle itself gets under way, cross-
board science plays its all important
part.
Your ability to build up a strong po­
sition; your artfulness in laying traps
and at the same time avoiding them
yourself, your capacity for forseeing
several moves in advance; all form the
basis of crossboard training.
Absorbing long columns of dry fig­
ures will never invest you with this es­
sential attribute. You must play with
experts and have them point out to you,
the why and wherefore of every move,
to really begin to discern the scientific
principles of the game. For that reason,
I have devoted the main portion of my
lectures to this feature and believe that
the greater part of my checker audience
will profit accordingly.
Now let us return to black's opening
move 11 to 15, and make sure you have
your pencil and note paper handy, f o r
it is only by marking down the moves
of each play and adding the notes and
comments next to them that you can
get the real benefit of the advice given.
So—mark down 11 to 15 at the top
of your pad and under it mark 23 to
18, white's reply to black's center of­
fensive. This 23 to 18 reply of white's
forms what is known as the "cross open­
ing," a formation that immediately com­
pels black to follow certain lines of
play.
Once again, you have in a way, ap­
plied your forcing system for your 23
to 18 move has eliminated a great vari­
ety of attacks that blacks could have
instituted, should you have played 23
to 19 instead.
It is now blacks's turn to defend him­
self and his strongest play is from 8
to 11. Next to this 8 to 11 move you
might mark a notation, ("Variation
 MAJOR TACTICS OF CHECKERS
o n e " ) , for black can also play 9 to 14
at this stage. This "variation one" I
will dwell on later. First we must in­
quire into the most likely line that the
blacks may adopt. After 8 to 11, which
backs up the checker on square 15,
white plays 27 to 23, using a similar
technique in consolidating his pieces.
Now at this stage, black's next usual
move is 4 to 8;—however, you will find
many players moving 11 to 16, a trick
line known as the "slip cross." That
line I'll describe later, so, next to your
4 to 8 move for black, mark "variation
two."
(It is obvious now, why it is so neces­
sary to copy down the moves and notes
as we proceed, for black, during the
early part of this formation has several
chances of varying his play; and by
copying down these variations and in­
dicating where they occur, you get a
clear conception of the situation.)
Now having made black's third move
4 to 8, white brings his forcing system
into real play by moving from 32 to 27.
This move, which I have employed most
successfully may cause your opponent
no little surprise for it is a complete
deviation from recognized lines of play.
That is exactly why it proves so valu­
able as a forcing move, for it forces
the game off the well - known lines
and leaves your adversary on strange
grounds. Some years back, I looked over
this 32 to 27 move and found it led
to some strong games for white, espe­
cially if your opponent was unfamiliar
with it.
A little later, having an opportunity
of playing a few games with the re­
nowned Alfred Jordan, then Champion
of Great Britain, I decided to switch
him onto this line and see what would
happen. He moved 11 to 15 at the start
of the game, and I came back with 23
to 18, and the moves continued the
same up to this point.
When I moved 32 to 27, he sat back
with no little surprise. He had antici­
pated 23 to 19, the regular line, and
wondered why I essayed such an irre­
gular move. However, the result of the
game was better than I expected, for
eventually he got into a highly critical
position and lost the game. That game,
as it was played, composes the trunk
or main line which I am reviewing now
and should prove highly interesting, for
the general, behind the black forces
was one of the greatest exponents of
the science of checkers. Returning your
attention to your note pad, you will find
that so far the following moves have
been played, i.e., 11 to 15, 23 to 18,
8 to 11, 27 to 23, 4 to 8, and 32 to 27.
Now 15 to 19 is black's best play, for
if 10 to 14, 22 to 17, 15 to 22, 17 to 10,
6 to 15, 26 to 17 leaves white with a
strong game. Now playing up to this
point again, continue with black playing
15 to 19. White jumps from 24 to 15
and black replies 10 to 19, then 23 to
16 and 12 to 19.
9
Next to this 12 to 19 move, mark
"variation three." It is now white's turn
to play and he launches an attack down
the center from 18 to 15, causing the
black checker to jump 11 to 18 and
allowing white to jump back 22 to 15,
occupying the center of the board, an
important strategic point.
Black, Jordan, here continued 7 to
11, trying to dislodge the white man
on 15 and white defends it by 26 to
22, allowing the jump and recovering
possession of this square, by the return
jump from 22 to 15.
Now Jordan moved 9 to 14, an ad­
vance on his right flank designed to
prevent white backing up his checker
on 15. White's man on this square now
being isolated and cut off from his men,
his best means of retaliating is by a
counter offensive aimed at black's check­
er on square 19. Therefore he moves
out from 30 to 26, The student should
observe here why 30 to 26 was played
instead of 31 to 26. The latter move
would also attack black's man on 19,
but would leave two adjacent squares
open in your king row. This is always
a breach of checker science.
When the king row is opened by the
checker being moved out of square 32,
the checker on square 31 should be held
in the king row as long as possible. In
other words, do not open your king row
on squares next to each other. If you
move out of square 29, hold your check­
er on square 30 and open up again
from square 31. Bear in mind, that two
checkers can protect your king row, (a
man on 30, and one on 32) or (one on
31 and one on 29.)
At this stage, black moved out 2 to 7,
which gives another example of the rule
I have just illustrated. If he had moved
out 3 to 7, it would be weak, for it
would leave two adjoining king row
squares open—viz—squares 3 and 4.
This 2 to 7 move placed black in a
position where he can squeeze 7 to 10,
or 7 to 11, at any time he chooses. Mark
"variation four" here. White is now
forced to play 25 to 22, to be in a
position to exchange if black should
play 7 to 11.
Pause a moment here and note the
value of 25 to 22 over 26 to 22. If you
made 26 to 22, you would lose your
attack on black's man on 19; for now
you can no longer go 27 to 23. Also
you can't play 27 to 24 either, for it
would permit black's man on 19 to
move down for a king.
Also see how 26 to 22 separates your
fighting forces; which are always strong­
est when consolidated. I'm emphasizing
these points of crossboard play to dem­
onstrate the process by which you can
weigh and select your strongest moves
in a game.
To resume where we left off in our
game, 25 to 22 was white's last move.
Black continued with 5 to 9, and here
is where Jordan went astray. 7 to 11 is
best. Make a note next to this move and
 10 MAJOR TACTICS OF CHECKERS
mark it "variation five."
We'll give you that variation later,
along with the other mentioned. Let us
continue on. After 5 to 9, white replies
22 to 17, and black pushes 7 to 10.
White now plays 17 to 13 for the reason
that it cramps black's men located at
this side of the board.
Generally, a move to the side is weak,
especially where there are only about
four pieces left on each side of the
board. But in a position of this kind
where by moving to the side you help
tie up several pieces, it is always a good
strategy.
Again, you will notice that if you do
not move into square 13, black will do
so next move and threaten your man
on 17. This is where the faculty of
analyzing ahead becomes such an im­
portant factor. That is why the player
who makes it a habit to study every
move usually gets the upper hand on
his opponent.
Suppose a beginner had the white
pieces here and it was his move, he
would probably disregard 17 to 13,
take one look at 27 to 23 and imme­
diately make that move because he
threatens the black checker on square
However, if he did so, black would
play 9 to 13 and after the following
jumps 23 to 16, 13 to 22, 26 to 17, 10
to 19, 17 to 10, and 6 to 15, black
would have all the best of the game.
The amateur might claim black luckily
came out best after the jumps, but an
expert would know differently for he
would analyize the position carefully
before he made his play.
At first, it may be a trifle confusing
to try and figure out how several jumps
will end up, but anyone who practices
this over a number of games will soon
find he can visualize the position with
reliable results. Get into this habit in
your next game and look at every one
of your men before you move, and after
you think you have decided on your
best play, ask yourself where your op­
ponent is likely to go, and what the
position will look like then.
Don't mind if your opponent remarks
about your slowness in moving. Your
reward in winning numerous games will
amply repay you, and no doubt learn
your impatient adversary that your
cautious and well thought out moves
cannot be met with haphazard plays on
his part. Now, once again, let us con­
tinue, black's last move in the game
which was 7 to 10, and white you will
recall, played 17 to 13. Black now moves
14 to 18, the most logical move and
practically the best at his command. To
all appearances, black appears to have
a fair game and Jordan had not as yet
shown any signs of great worry. How­
ever, he was studying his moves most
thoroughly. The position is: white men
on 31, 29, 28, 27, 26, 21, 13 and 15;
Black men on squares 1, 3, 6, 8, 9, 10,
18 and 19.
White responds with 29 to 25, the
only move available. Here Jordan, after
close scrutiny, pushed 18 to 23, appar­
ently a strong sacrifice, but actually
not as good as it appears. Jordan had
probably analyzed ahead, but even the
best are not infallible and once in a
while fail to see some unsuspecting
manoeuvre that changes the tide of bat­
tle.
After 18 to 23, white jumps 27 to
18, then 10 to 14 for black as planned.
White now must give the man back
which he does by 26 to 22, black jump­
ing 14 to 23. White now plays 22 to
18, and black replies 3 to 7. Jordan had
foreseen all this several moves before
when he made the sacrifice play 18 to
23, but he overlooked the tricky little
manoeuvvre that comes up next move.
In his visualization he had forecast
white being compelled to play 25 to 22
next move, and he likewise figured to
play his black checker from 23 to 26,
right after it; which appears to finish
white's game. What he failed to glimpse
several plays ahead was the fact that
if he plays 23 to 26, following white's
25 to 22, white can go 22 to 17 com­
pelling him to crown his man on square
30 and then by 31 to 26, force him to
jump two men after which white gets
his king and a single man and a winning
position.
Make the move 25 to 22 after 3 to 7.
Also notice 23 to 26, 22 to 17, 26 to 30,
31 to 26, 30 to 14, 17 to 3 and White
has a winning position. This fact sud­
denly dawned on Jordan after I played
25 to 22, and he gave the position a
full six minutes study. However, it was
too late then to rectify things for black
was in a losing position.
Reset the position—black men on
squares 1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 19 and 23. White
men on 31, 28, 22, 21, 18, 15, 13. Black
is to play, and Jordan finally moves 7
to 11. (In a game several years later
with Waterhouse of Boston, the same
position arose and he moved 23 to 26,
giving me the shot.) (See games with
Waterhouse, "Section 5.")
After 7 to 11, white continued 22
to 17 heading down to steal the man
on 9. Black moves 11 to 16, his only
play and white continues 17 to 14.
Black has nothing better than 16 to 20,
and white jumps 14 to 5. Black is now
a man ahead, but that is exactly the
time when one is liable to become care­
less and lose his advantage.
Remember, the game isn't won till
your opponent has resigned. That's an­
other axiom to add to your checker
doctrines. In this case, with such a for­
midable opponent extreme care had to
be exercised to forestall any chance of
his getting some clever draw position.
Black now moved 20 to 24, a move
that further put me on my guard, for
23 t o27 seems to be the obvious play.
Just glance down at your boards here
and see what move you might make.
A quick moving player might easily be
 MAJOR TACTICS OP CHECKERS
tempted to move 18 to 14, figuring that
he can move 14 to 9 next play, also that
if black moves 6 to 9, he only gets
2 for 2, and is still a man behind. But
if 18 to 14 is made as white's next move,
black gets his neat draw by playing 23
to 26 first and then 6 to 9, which makes
a different story.
Jordan had seen the chance of this
being made in haste and held back 23
to 27 purposely in the hope that he
might salvage a draw. White played 21
to 17, his correct move, then Jordan re­
plied 8 to 12 as good as any other move
now, as it still left the chance for the
shot if white made 17 to 14 as his next
move.
White played 18 to 14, and the game
continued 23 to 27, 14 to 10, 27 to 32,
17 to 14, 32 to 27, 14 to 9, 27 to 23,
9 to 2, 23 to 18, 15 to 11, and Jordan
resigned after a few more moves. The
student might study over the last ten
moves made from 14 to 10. It would
have been possible to go 14 to 9, and
win, but even at this stage a little study
simplifies matters, for 14 to 10 gains
another checker.
Having reviewed the main line of our
white defense we now direct your at­
tention to the five variations, branching
off this trunk line. If you have followed
my advice and copied down the moves
and variations as I enumerated them,
you will find the first occurs at black's
second move 8 to 11.
Next to this 8 to 11 move, you should
have the notation variation "one," which
means that black at this stage can vary
his attack. On a separate sheet of paper
mark down variation 1, and leave suf­
ficient space beneath this entry to jot
down the moves as I detail them.
The game, as you recall, opened with
black's going 11 to 15, then white's re­
plied 23 to 18. Now the trunk line
showed play on 8 to 11, but white at
this point can play 9 to 14 instead, form­
ing variation "one."
"VARIATION ONE"
After 9 to 14 by blacks—mark down
18 to 11, as whites best jump and black
jumps back 8 to 15. It is now white's
play and he moves 22 to 17, the strong­
est way of meeting this variation which
is known as the "choice-cross."
Black then brings out his checker on
square 4, from 4 to 8. This opening up
of the king row on square 4, also on
square 29 with the whites seems tradi­
tional with checkers. The reason being
perhaps that after the opening attacks
have been made, both sides set about
to consolidate their men for the next
onslaught.
As a rule, the single corner diagonal
—that is, the squares 4, 8, 11, 15, 18,
22, 25 and 29 extending in a file across
the board, offer the best opportunity
for combining your men. Y o u will note,
white follows the same routine by play­
ing 25 to 22, after 4 to 8 has been made.
Now black's best play is 8 to 11. If
11
7 to 11, white plays 29 to 25, then 5
to 9, 17 to 13, 12 to 16, 22 to 17, 16
to 20, 26 to 23, gives white a strong
game. Assuming black has made his 8
to 11 move, instead of 7 to 11, white
replies 26 to 23.
Then 6 to 9 is black's correct move,
forcing 17 to 13 or else black will go
9 to 13 and get a hold on the white men
on squares 29, 21, 22 and 17. Study
this position and you will see how those
four white men are completely tied up,
if black occupies square 13.
Now replace the position again and
play the white checker to 13; from 17
to 13. Black now threatened by a jump
from 13 to 6, can himself meet this
situation with an attack of his own and
pushes 14 to 17. Study this manoeuvre
carefully if you are not acquainted with
it, as it comes up quite often in games.
White's best take is 13 to 6, and black
hops 17 to 26.
The next two jumps follow in se­
quence, 31 to 22, and 2 to 9. Now white
plays 23 to 19 obtaining a three man
line-up on squares 28, 24, and 19. A
beginner might be tempted to play 23
to 18, but by analyzing the position a
move in advance, it is possible to see
that black can reply 12 to 16 and have
all the best of the position.
Note how 23 to 19 effectively holds
six of black's pieces in check. Black's
men on 3, 7, 10, 11, 12 and 15 are un­
able to advance. 11 to 16 naturally
gives white a "three for one shot" as
he merely allows back to jump the man
and takes three men in return. Black
is now limited in his moves and 9 to 13
is his best play.
This is one of the few instances where
a move to the side is strongest. The ex­
planation is contained in the position
of the pieces. Black can see that if he
plays 9 to 14, white can move 22 to 17,
and get another grip on black's right
side of the board. After 9 to 14 and
22 to 17, black is further confined in
his movement of pieces.
He cannot advance 15 to 18 on ac­
count of 19 to 15 by white, and he can
see that 1 to 6 or 5 to 9, cuts his moves,
down still more, for white continues 17
to 13. If 14 to 18 by black after 22
to 17, white cuts 17 to 14 and gets a
slight advantage on the ending—thus—
14 to 18, 17 to 14, 10 to 17, 21 to 14.
7 to 10, 14 to 7, 3 to 10, 27 to 23, 18
to 27, 32 to 23, 5 to 9, 30 to 26, 9 to
14, 24 to 20.
Reset the original position—black
checkers on squares 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10,
11, 12 and 15, white men on 32, 30
29, 28, 27, 24, 22, 21 and 19. Continue
with black moving 9 to 13. Then white
plays 27 to 23, the next best white ad­
vance. Note 27 to 23 still retains hold
on black's pieces and also relieves the
white line-up on 28, 24, and 19, by
putting these men in a position to ex­
change by 24 to 20 whenever necessary.
Black replies 5 to 9, (for 3 to 8 loses
by 23 to 18, 5 to 9, 21 to 17, 1 to 5,
 12 MAJOR TACTICS OP CHECKERS
17 to 14, and (11 to 16) naturally loses
immediately by 24 to 20.) After 5 to 9,
white plays 30 to 25, forming a line­
up on squares 22, 25, and 29. Note how
this line up prevents 9 to 14 and forces
black 1 to 5.
Now 21 to 17 again forces black 9
to 14. Study the motive behind this 21
to 17 move which appears rather un­
usual. White has visulaized the position
a few moves ahead and sees that after
9 to 14, 25 to 21, 5 to 9, 32 to 27, 3 to
8, 29 to 25, 11 to 16, 24 to 20 a break
up occurs, that gives white a simple
draw.
Reset the position again. Black men
on 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15. White
men on 32, 29, 28, 25, 24, 23, 22, 19,
17- This position illustrates how care­
fully one must consider every angle of
play. White may have seen that 9 to
14, 25 to 21 leads to a safe draw as
given, but he may have failed to look
at one other move black has.
Move 9 to 14, 25 to 21, then move
14 to 18 for black. This may have been
a move you failed to include in your
analysis. How often do you hear players
mourn, "I hadn't figured on that move"
—well, the way to avoid this discon­
certing happening is to give attention
to every possible reply your opponent
can make.
Try it, in your next contest and see
how many times you save yourself from
surprises of this kind. After 14 to 18,
white jumps 23 to 14, and black moves
11 to 16. This form of sacrifice is an­
other of the A. B. C's of checkers
science.
Numerous times when your position
may look disastrous, you may find an
escape by a sacrifice play of this order.
Now comes another critical formation
that also deserves a full quota o f at­
tention. It's analogous to the last po­
sition and repeats the same warning.
"Study every man before you m a k e
your play."
As is evident, white is palpably in a
bad fix; black threatens to j u m p the
checker on 19 and obtain a king; while
white is apparently all tied up. Now
comes the efficacy of studying every
checker. White may start on his right-
hand side and consider 24 to 20. A
short reflection shows this d o e s little
good. Black simply jumps 16 to 23.
The white checker on 28 is imme­
diately eliminated from consideration,
as it cannot move. However, the c h e c k ­
er on 32 can move, but it gives black
two men for nothing. Even s o , that
should be considered to the point where­
in the jumps are made, to see if by any
chance white has some big stroke or
trap, as a reprisal to even the situation.
A little study convinces you that there
is nothing further on that move, and
you turn your attention to the c h e c k e r
on 19. This also cannot move and is
eliminated. White then directs his eye
to the left side of the board and sur­
veys his forces there.
First he focuses his mind on the
checker on square 22. Again he asks
himself the question—"If I move that,
(22 to 1 8 ) , what will happen." Imme­
diately he sees that black now cannot
jump 16 to 23, for if he does, white
jumps 18 to 2. Also if black jumps 13
to 22, white also can jump 18 to 2 and
win.
Therefore, black is compelled to take
15 to 22, which allows white to ex­
change next move by 19 to 15, 10 to 19,
24 to 15, thus obtaining an equal posi­
tion and an open road to a king. The
finishing moves would continue 22 to
26, 15 to 11, 13 to 22, 11 to 2, drawn.
So much for "variation one" from the
trunk line.
Reset your checker men and again
make your white "cross" opening, i.e.,
11 to 15, 23 to 18, 8 to 11, 27 to 23,
at this point in our regular trunk game
4 to 8 is made.
Suppose your opponent should play
11 to 16 here, unless you knew it, you
might get tangled up in what is known
as the "slip cross" opening. It's a rather
tricky line and takes its name from the
fact that black makes a "slip play"
which is slightly puzzling when first
seen.
This line we have marked variation
" t w o " and you can now add it to your
reference pad.
"VARIATION 2."
Black moves 11 to 16, following
white's second move of 27 to 23. White
is compelled to jump 18 to 11, and
black slips into square 20 from 16 to
20. Now observe how white is at once
forced to return the man.
The main purpose of playing the "slip
cross" with the black side, is because
it gives an opportunity of laying a big
trap for white. However, if white avoids
it, black has the hardest work to do
thereafter.
After 16 to 20, white's best play is
24 to 19, and black jumps 7 to 16. Now
the usual single corner follow-up goes
on 22 to 18, 4 to 8, 25 to 22, 8 to 11.
Now, here is where the amateur usually
plays into black's hands. 29 to 25 would
see black move 10 to 14. Now almost
any player unaware of it would go 19
to 15, squeezing black's man on 11.
Black would then play 3 to 8.
Now if white moved 22 to 17, the
trap would be sprung and what a trap
it is. Make the moves mentioned and
after 22 to 17, black pushes the checker
on 20 to 24. (20 to 24) an innocent
looking move that might appear as a
slip on black's part. However, the stage
is set and no matter which way white
jumps, black moves 16 to 20 next play
and then after white jumps again plays
9 to 14, 18 to 9, 11 to 27 and after
the fireworks are over, black is a man
ahead and wins handily. This is just
one of the many spectacular traps of
checkers.
To return to where you made your
 MAJOR TACTICS OF CHECKERS
mistake. Reset your checkers on the
board. Now run up the moves 11 to 15,
23 to 18, 8 to 11, 27 to 23, 11 to 16,
18 to 11, 16 to 20, 24 to 19, 7 to 16,
22 to 18, 4 to 8, 25 to 22 and 8 to 11.
Now instead of 29 to 25, play 22 to 17,
a move that gives white several oppor­
tunities for a win.
Black has the choice of several moves,
9 to 14, 10 to 14, or 10 to 15. 10 to
14 and 9 to 14 both lead to draws, but
10 to 15, 19 to 10, 6 to 22, 17 to 13
leads to a critical game for black.
Return to the position after 22 to 17,
and suppose black plays 9 to 14, 18 to 9,
5 to 14 (6 to 22 also draws but white
is best). White plays 29 to 25 then the
game continues 11 to 15, 25 to 22, 15
to 24, 28 to 19. Now black is in another
critical situation for 3 to 8 is his star
move to draw.
The tempting move 20 to 24 is prac­
tically a loss. (If 20 to 24 then 17 to 13,
16 to 20, 22 to 18 gives black little
chance for a draw.) Black's best play as
aforesaid is 3 to 8. Then play goes on,
17 to 13, 8 to 11, 22 to 18, 1 to 5.
(note here 6 to 9 loses by 32 to 27.)
Continue 18 to 9, 5 to 14, 26 to 22,
20 to 24, 22 to 18, 6 to 9, 13 to 6, 2
to 9, 31 to 26, 24 to 28. (Observe shot
by 18 to 15, 11 to 18, 21 to 17, 14 to
21, 23 to 7, 16 to 23, 26 to 19„ if (24
to 27.) Continue after 24 to 28, 26 to
22, 9 to 13,* a necessary sacrifice, note
this maoeuvre, any other black play is
Resume after 9 to 13,* 18 to 9, 11
to 15, 9 to 6, 15 to 24, 23 to 18, 24 to
27, 32 to 23, "the old king row sacri­
fice which I've detailed before." 28 to
32, 6 to 2, 32 to 27, 30 to 25, 27 to 31,
23 to 19, 16 to 23, 2 to 6, 23 to 26,
6 to 15, 26 to 30, 18 to 14, 31 to 26,
14 to 9 drawn.
The student should study the end
game strategy displayed in the finish­
ing moves of this instructive game. Note
how the sacrifices are timed. We now
revert again to our trunk line and you
can reset your checkermen on the
boards with the white pieces facing
you.
" V A R I A T I O N 3."
Assuming our student has devoted
special study to the trunk line of the
white defense, also variations 1 and 2
as detailed, we next arrive at varia­
tion 3.
This occurs at the 11th move of the
game when 11 to 20, is made by black
instead of 12 19. The moves leading up
to this stage are as follows: 11 to 15,
23 to 18, 8 to 11, 27 to 23, 4 to 8,
32 to 27, 15 to 19, 24 to 15, 10 to 19,
23 to 16, and now 11 to 20 is jumped
by black, white continues 22 to 17 and
black moves 9 to 14. Here white is
compelled to jump 18 to 9 as 17 to 10
gives black a three for one and a king.
After 18 to 9, black's best jump is
5 to 14, then 17 to 10, 6 to 15 follow
in order. White continues 25 to 22 and
black plays 7 to 11. Then 21 to 17,
13
11 to 16, 29 to 25, and 16 to 19 are the
next plays.
You will note, where black played
11 to 16, he could have exchanged down
the center by 15 to 18, but it is obvious
that if he did so, it would leave an
isolated checker on square 18, which
white could easily capture. In making
an advance by exchanging, always make
sure that you have other checkers m a r
enough to support this advanced man.
Now resuming the game where we
left off at blacks move 16 to 19, white
replies 17 to 14. Black then plays 8 to
11 and white squeezes 27 to 23 and
black continues 11 to 16. Now on ex
aming the position here, you might
wonder why black played 11 to 16 in­
stead of 2 to 7, allowing the exchange.
The reason is black is laying a subtle
trap and trying to tempt white to go
23 to 18 next play.
Make the move 11 to 16, and then
23 to 18 and study the position. Sup­
pose you had the whites you might feel
that you were certain to capture his
checker on 15. But make the following
moves and see what happens to white
if he goes 23 to 18.
Move 3 to 7 for black, white jumps
18 to 11. Now move 19 to 24 for black,
white takes 28 to 19. Black jumps 16
to 23, white jumps 26 to 19, and black
jumps two men from 7 to 23. Run this
position up again and study this trap,
as it is a very valuable adjunct to scien-
tific play. Remember, this stratagem can
arise in hundreds of games and can crop
up on your side of the board as well.
Learn it thoroughly so you will recog­
nize it in play.
Now run up variation " 3 " again from
the start thus:— 11 to 15, 23 to 18,
8 to 11, 27 to 23, 4 to 8, 32 to 27, 15
o 19, 24 to 15, 10 to 19, 23 to 16, 11
to 20, 22 to 17, 9 to 14, 18 to 9, 5 to
14, 17 to 10, 6 to 15, 25 to 22, 7 to 11,
21 to 17, 11 to 16, 29 to 25, 16 to 19.
17 to 14, 8 to 11, 27 to 23, 11 to 16,
and we have the position again.
As shown 23 to 18, loses by 3 to 7,
so white plays 25 to 21 his correct reply
and black pushes 3 to 7. Now white
moves 22 to 17 forming a line-up which
threatens to exchange. Black then re­
plies 2 to 6. White can now exchange
14 to 10 and obtain a safe draw posi­
tion, but inspection of his other pos­
sible moves shows 17 to 13 is much
stronger and compels black to play 1
to 5.
Should black go 6 to 10 instead of
1 to 5, white would play 14 to 9, and
it is apparent black cannot follow up
10 to 14, for white would retaliate by
23 to 18, 14 to 23, 28 to 24 and win.
Resuming at whites moves, 17 to 13
as stated, black is forced 1 to 5.
Now 23 to 18 is white's star play,
black jumping 15 to 22 and white re­
taking 26 to 17. Black is now forced
6 to 10, then 13 to 9, 10 to 15, 9 to 6,
7 to 11, 30 to 26 gives white the win.
Our research, therefore, shows varia-
14 MAJOR TACTICS OF CHECKERS
tion " 3 " by black to be untenable. This
variation, however, emphasizes the need
of crossboard ability even when your
opponent has adopted a losing line.
Had white went 23 to 18 at the criti­
cal point shown, black although in a
losing position, would have won the
game. The value of memorizing that
one strategy cannot be too strongly
stressed.
" V A R I A T I O N 4 FROM T R U N K "
The student should bear in mind that
each of these variations present object
lessons in crossboard play. By learning
the motives of your moves, also those
underlying your adversary's moves, you
will soon be able to practice these same
fundamental principles when you find
yourself in variations totally unknown
to you. It isn't a question of memorizing
countless variations, it's simply a ques­
tion of learning the scientific system
of play and practicing it in all your
checker games.
Reset your checkermen for the start
of the game and run up the regular
trunk line as follows—i.e.—11 to 15,
23 to 18, 8 to 11, 27 to 23, 4 to 8, 32
to 27, 15 to 19, 24 to 15, 10 to 19, 23
to 16, 12 to 19, 18 to 15, 11 to 18, 22
to 15, 7 to 11, 26 to 22, 11 to 18, 22
to 15, 9 to 14 and 30 to 26.
Now glance down at the position on
your boards. You will recall that in
our trunk line game, Alfred Jordan
played 2 to 7 here against me. Suppose,
instead of 2 to 7, the player of black's
moved 14 to 18 against you; what would
you do?
Study the position a few moments and
see for yourself if you can locate whites
reply to this 14 to 18 move. What move
would you have made in reply? And why
did that move appear best to you?
By adopting this method of proce­
dure, you can soon find if you are be­
ginning to learn to locate good moves
on your own initiative. The best move
for white in this situation is 21 to 17,
advancing another checker to the field
of battle.
Before making that move, try one
or two other moves for white and see
how weak each of them appear com­
pared to 21 to 17. After 21 to 17,
black moves out 5 to 9, and white goes
17 to 13. This 17 to 13 move is aimed
at occupying square 13, for the reason
that if black gets control of this square,
he would be in a position to obtain an
exchange later by 18 to 22, should white
move 25 to 21.
To see this clearly, move the white
checker from 17 to 14 instead of 17 to
13, then move 9 to 13 for black and
you will see white cannot go 25 to 21
on account of the exchange. Now re­
set the men as before with the white
checker moving into square 13, and the
black checker on square 9 advances to
14 (from 9 to 14.) This 9 to 14 play
of blacks is made to release the hold
that white's checker on 13 now exerts
on his checker on square 6.
Note carefully how black has more
freedom in this double corner after
this checker has advanced to 14. The
man on square 6 can now exchange in
either direction—a valuable alternative
in critical situations. After 9 to 14,
white plays 25 to 21. Perhaps some of
you had figured out 25 to 21, as white's
next play; if so, you are already making
marked progress in learning crossboard
play.
I might digress here for a moment
to say that in my early checker career
I derived much constructive amusement
by taking games played between noted
experts, and instead of just playing them
over rapidly, I would cover up the
moves ahead and see if I could pick
out the plays that were to come.
I found this an interesting pastime
and I'm sure our rising experts will find
it most helpful to pursue the same
system in reviewing games. Now let us
continue on in our game. White has
just moved 25 to 21, and black plays
6 to 9, an exchange to form a line up
of three men on squares 9, 14, and
18.
After 6 to 9, white jumps 13 to 6
and black replies 2 to 9, forcing white
to action, for that three man line-up
of black's now threatens a two-for-one
shot by 18 to 23. Whites play at this
stage is 27 to 24, made to jeopardize
the black checker on square 19 which
would be in danger of being jumped if
white move his white man on 15.
Black foresees his intentions and
moves up from 1 to 6 to keep this
white man pinned on square 15. White
now plays 24 to 20, with a view to
playing 20 to 16 next. It is obvious
that as soon as black played 1 to 6,
the white piece lost its attack on square
24, and therefore, advanced onward to
a new position.
Black now replies 18 to 23, going
down for his king. (If 9 to 13, 20 to 16,
18 to 23, 26 to 22, 23 to 26, 22 to 18,
14 to 23, 31 to 22 draws.) After 18 to
23, naturally 26 to 22 is forced, al­
though even in cases of this kind it is
advisable to study every other checker,
for some of the most brilliant of check­
er strategies occur in positions of this
kind.
Following whites play of 26 to 22,
black analyzing ahead notes white is
threatening a strong attack on his men
on 6, 9, and 14 by 22 to 17, and ad­
vances 14 to 18 to forestall this attack.
White continues 22 to 17, forcing Black
to play 18 to 22. Now 20 to 16 is white's
correct reply, as it encourages black to
go 23 to 26, a natural move, but a weak
one.
Play 20 to 16, and next to 23 to 26,
black's next move, mark a notation,
"weak." Now continue on 23 to 26, 17
to 13, 9 to 14 (if 8 to 12, 15 to 10, for
white) 29 to 25, 22 to 29, 31 to 22.
Now black, although having crowned a
 MAJOR TACTICS OF CHECKERS
man, finds his men on 6 and 14 in grave
danger and looks to escape by moving
14 to 18.
White pushes on 22 to 17 and black
plays 19 to 23, opening the way for a
two-for-one shot by 8 to 11, next move.
White, however, sees his win and moves
16 to 12, holding blacks men in a grip
till his man on 17 can advance down
and capture the lone black checker on
square 6. Black's king being too far
away to lend aid, can only move on up
from 29 to 25.
White continues 17 to 14, then 18, to
22 for black (a lost hope that white
may push 14 to 10 instead of 14 to 9,
and black could draw by 8 to 11.)
White, however, continues 14 to 9 and
captures the black checker on 6 and
wins.
Now I hope all of you are following
my advice about copying these games
and variations down on note paper, as
you go along; for only in this way will
you get a general outline of the com­
bined tactics of play. If you have done
so, you will have a notation near the
close of this variation—(at black's 23
to 26 move) marked "a weak move."
Next to this notation, you can add
the following as blacks proper play to
a draw. Instead of 23 to 26, he should
have played 8 to 12, then 17 to 13, 9
to 14, 15 to 11, 23 to 26, 29 to 25, 22
to 29, 31 to 22, 6 to 10, 11 to 8,* 29
to 25, 22 to 17, 3 to 7, 8 to 3, 19 to 23,
13 to 9, 12 to 19, 9 to 6.x Now (if 14
to 18, 17 to 14, 10 to 17, 3 to 10, 17
to 22, 10 to 15, draws) also (if 25 to
22, 6 to 2, 22 to 13, 2 to 11 draws.)
Now reset the position at ( x ) black
checkers on squares 10, 7, 14, 19 and
23, king on 25. White checkers on 28,
21, 17, 6 and a king on 3. Black plays
7 to 11. Now continue with white mov­
ing 6 to 2, and black playing 11 to 15.
(This by the way is an instructive ex­
ercise in end game manoeuvres and
shows how white, although a man down,
has a safe draw position.)
White now plays 3 to 7, and black
continues 23 to 27 (next to this 23 to
27 move, mark " Y " . ) Black can also
play 23 to 26 and I'll give play on that
later. Continue after 23 to 27, 7 to 11,
14 to 18, 2 to 6, 19 to 23, 11 to 7, 25
to 22, 7 to 14, 22 to 13, 14 to 10 draws
as white recovers his man next move.
Now referring back to where you
made the notation " Y " reset the posi­
tion at that stage—black men on squares
10, 14, 15, 19, 23, king on 25. White
men on 28, 21, 17, kings on 7 and 2.
If black plays 23 to 26 here instead
of 23 to 27, white secures a strong
hold on his pieces by moving 7 to 11,
compelling 14 to 18 and then following
up 2 to 6. (Note here 2 to 7, 18 to 22,
7 to 14, 26 to 31, 11 to 18, 25 to 29,
18 to 25, 29 to 13 gives black a probable
winning position.)
Resuming the play after 2 to 6, black
has all the worries for if he goes 19
to 23, then 28 to 24 forces black to
15
return the man immediately on account
of the threatened shot by 28 to 24. And,
if, instead of 19 to 23, black plays 26
to 31 then 11 to 16*, 15 to 10, 16 to
11 also gives white a probable win.
I might advise the student to study
this intricate ending, carefully, as it
shows several danger points for both
"VARIATION 5"
Having reviewed our trunk line and
variations 1, 2, 3 and 4, along with
their minor deviations, we now arrive
at variation " 5 " derived from the trunk
line at the 22nd move, 5 to 9.
The moves to this stage are as fol­
lows:— 11 to 15, 23 to 18, 8 to 11, 27
to 23, 4 to 8, 32 to 27, 15 to 19, 24 to
15, 10 to 19, 23 to 16, 12 to 19, 18 to
15, 11 to 18, 22 to 15, 7 to 11, 26 to
22, 11 to 18, 22 to 15, 9 to 14, 30 to
26, 2 to 7 and 25 to 22.
At this point in our trunk game,
Jordan played 5 to 9, which appears to
have been a weak move. Instead of 5 to
9, play 7 to 11, 29 to 25, 11 to 18,
22 to 15, 14 to 18, 21 to 17, 3 to 7, 17
to 14, 19 to 23, 26 to 19, 6 to 10, 15
to 6, 1 to 17, 25 to 21, 17 to 22, 21 to
17, forming a draw position.
This variation was played against the
author by Mr. Waterhouse of Boston.
P A R T III
SELECTED STRATEGIES A N D END
G A M E POSITIONS
Having taken our checker enthusiasts
through a sound plan of offense and
defense with both the white and black
pieces; and having given miscellaneous
examples of the fundamentals of cross-
board play, we arrive at our next les­
son in scientific checkers. "The stra­
tegies of end game play."
While this branch of checker science
is equally as important as the opening
and middle game portion, it furnishes
much more amusement to the student.
Also, it dovetails closely with the pre­
ceding sections, for it gives the reader
an opportunity of noting the improve­
ment in his crossboard ability.
By trying to solve the problems at
first on his own initiative, he can more
readily check his mistakes. I have en­
deavored to have these problem studies
cover almost every ramification of the
art of checker science. They illustrate
every type of trap, stroke and pitfall
known to the game, and once a player
has a command over them, he will un­
doubtedly display expert checker tech­
nique.
To review them once, however, will
not suffice, for they must be played
over numerous times in order that you
will be so familiarized with them that
you will immediately recognize them
when they occur in actual games.
You must also bear in mind that
each artifice and strategy must be
studied from the standpoint of both the
losing and winning side, for it is ap-
16 MAJOR TACTICS OF CHECKERS
parent that in a game, you must not
alone plan to get your opponent into
these traps, but must watch to avoid
falling into them yourself.
The amateur checkerist generally
loses most of his games by falling a
victim to what is known as the elemen­
tary traps, the "two for one", the "three
for one" etc.
While I presume most of our students
are quite familiar with these primary
manoeuvres of checker science, still I
feel it is advisable to detail a few to
enable the tyro to revert to them if
necessary.
Place black checkers on 12, 16, 17.
And white's on 30, 28 and 23. Here
it is evident 28 to 24 would lose im­
mediately, for white, as black would
obtain a "two for one" shot by 16 to
19. Now reset the same position and
take the black side. That is, turn the
board so that the black checkers are
nearest you.
Now suppose white played 30 to 26
instead. If you analyze your position,
you will see that black by moving 15
to 19 leaves white with but one move,
23 to 18. After 23 to 18, black, it is
found, has a "two for one" stroke" by
19 to 24.
While this is a simple stroke, the
point is, black's move 15 to 19 was
the only one that forced the winning
stroke. Had black played 16 to 19 or
16 to 20, he would have lost the oppor­
tunity of a win. It is these same ele­
mentary traps that experts see—not one
or two moves ahead, but several plays
in advance.
White naturally could have avoided
this situation by moving 30 to 25 in­
stead of 30 to 26. Now take white check­
ers and place them on squares 25, 29
and 30. And place black checkers on
squares 15, 16, 17- If it was black's
move, and he went 15 to 18, white
naturally would obtain a simple "two
for one" shot by 25 to 22. Again, if
black instead went 16 to 19, 25 to 22,
17 to 26, 30 to 16, would likewise re­
sult in a white win.
An amateur playing the blacks might
exclaim 15 to 19 or 16 to 20 do
not allow any shots, so either of them
would be a good move. Well, as I've
stated before, expert checkers stands
for the best moves, not just good
moves. In this case, while 15 to 19 or
16 to 20 are good moves for a draw
game, there is a better move that would
give black a trifle the best of the posi­
tion.
As in all endings of this kind, each
player looks to crown all his men, while
at the same time seeking to obstruct
his opponnent's pieces from reaching
the king row. Therefore, black by
moving 17 to 21, immediately blocks
white's checkers to a great extent.
White's only move is 25 to 22, and black
advances 16 to 19.
Now examine the position on your
boards. White is forced to go 22 to 17
and Black plays 19 to 23, effectually
blocking the white men on 29 and 30.
Now 29 to 25 would lose quickly by
18 to 15, 17 to 14, 23 to 27, 14 to 10,
27 to 31, 10 to 7, 31 to 27, 7 to 2, 18
to 23*, and 2 to 7, 23 to 26, 30 to 23,
27 to 18, black wins. If white went
25 to 22, instead of 2 to 7, black gets
a "two for one" by 23 to 26 right off.
Now reset that position again. Black
men on 15, 16, 17, and white men on
25, 29 and 30. Now continue the moves,
17 to 21, 25 to 22, 16 to 19, 22 to 17,
19 to 23, 17 to 14, 15 to 18, 14 to 10,
18 to 22 and 10 to 6. Now note black
moves 23 to 2, instead of 22 to 26,
for the reason that 22 to 26 allows
white to release his man on 29 and
run it up for a king.
On the other hand, 23 to 27 keeps
white in the grip. Continue 23 to 27,
6 to 1, 27 to 32, 1 to 6, 32 to 27, 6 to
10, 27 to 23, and black has a very
strong position. While an expert could
draw this position, an ordinary player
might easily lose it by allowing black
to crown his other single man on 22.
Now this end game study shows
forcefully how best moves excell good
moves. As I have already mentioned,
the student has a tendency to ignore
a move which gives away a checker.
Set up the following position on your
boards. Black checkers on 3, 13, 14,
and 15, white checkers on 24, 22, 10.
King on 2.
In this position, if it was your move
and you piloted the white pieces what
move would you make? Probably, 2 to
7 figuring that when black squeezed
your man on 22, you could play 7 to
11. Here again 2 to 7 would be a good
move, but not the best, for instead
play 10 to 7, 3 to 10, 2 to 7, and white
wins.
Now place a black king on 7, and
a black man on 1 and a white king on
5, and a man on 14. Perhaps you will
recognize this clever artifice. Black is
to move and he plays 1 to 6. White
replies 5 to 1, and black instead of
playing 6 to 10 for a draw, moves 6
to 9. White takes 14 to 5, and the
single black king goes 7 to 10, and
wins against the two.
Here's another neat dodge. Black
men on 14, 6. Black king on 11. White
man on 13. White kings on 22 and 23.
White is to play and win and watch
the strategy closely. White moves 22
to 18, forcing 14 to 17, then 23 to 19.
Black moves 17 to 21. Now pause a
second and study the position. What
would you infer would be white's next
play? Perhaps you overlooked 13 to 9,
but, that unusual as it appears, is the
winning play and a star move at that.
After 13 to 9, black jumps 6 to 13,
then 18 to 22 ends things for black.
Black has three men to white's two,
yet White has a winning position as
you can readily discern. Should black
give one of his single men back why you
still have the move on his other man
 MAJOR TACTICS OF CHECKERS
and pin it to the side of the board.
And now another one that troubles
the beginner and which I feel deserves
a mention, though most all of you know
it well. The three kings overcoming
two, with the two in the double corners.
As with most of these three kings to
two, or four kings to three, the first
step to a victory is to force a swop off.
Place black kings on 10, 15, 19, and
white kings on 9 and 27. Black is to
play and win and he moves 15 to 18,
forcing white to retreat to one of the
double corners. White, we will say,
played 9 to 5. Black's next move is 10
to 6, restraining white from moving his
king on 5 to 1, for if he does, you play
18 to 15 and let him jump and gain
an exchange. White, therefore, plays
27 to 32 and again you play a forcing
move by 19 to 23. White now sees he
is threatened by an exchange 6 to 9
next move, and is compelled to move
his king on 6 to square 1. Then 6 to 9
for black, and white is all but finished.
If 1 to 5, 9 to 14 leaves black a cer­
tain exchange next move, and if 32 to
28, 23 to 27 is the winning move. An­
other hard nut for the beginner to
crack is four to three. Set up the men
on your boards. Black kings on 11, 13,
14 and 20; white kings on 1, 2 and 3.
Study this position carefully and note
how black has his kings divided, two
on one side of the board and two on
the other. This is the first step in win­
ning this position.
The black king is especially moved
to square 11 with the other king back­
ing it up on 20, so that white can no
longer move his king out of square 3,
for if he does, black allows him to
jump, one for one, and is one stage
nearer victory.
Now we will assume it is black's move
and he plays 14 to 9, white replies 1
to 6, then 9 to 5, 6 to 1 and the neat
strategy draws closer. Black has been
looking for white to move 2 to 6, but
finds he needs a waiting move. This he
has, by moving 20 to 16 which does
not change the conditions on the other
side of the board and compels white
to make his 2 to 6 move. (1 to 6, 5 to
1, 6 to 10, 13 to 9 wins immediately.)
After 2 to 6, the star move for black
to win is 11 to 7.
White jumps 3 to 10, and black plays
5 to 9 and forces a two-for-one shot
and wins. If you have three kings to
your opponents four in a game and he
does not manoeuvre his men in this
fashion, you can undoubtedly force
him to concede a draw. The rules of
the game specify that a player must
show a decided advantage within forty
moves in positions of this kind, other­
wise, the game is adjudged a draw.
Sometimes, even two kings are hard
to defeat with three. For instance black
kings on 13, 14 and 15. White kings
on 1, 6, white to move; play 1 to 5,
continue 15 to 18, 5 to 1, 14 to 9, 6 to
2, 9 to 5, 2 to 6, 18 to 14, 6 to 2, (the
17
two shot by 6 to 9 loses as black has
the move after it is over.) After 6 to 2
black's star move is 13 to 9, then 1 to
6, 5 to 1, 6 to 13, 14 to 9, 13 to 6, 1
to 10, black wins. Practice this over as
it comes up frequently.
And here's another simple checker
theme that can come up in various
ways. Black men on 6, 13, and 21.
King on 2. White men on 30, 23, 24
and 16. Black to move and win. Play
21 to 25, 30 to 21, 13 to 17, 21 to 14
and 6 to 10. Black wins. Set the fol­
lowing up on your boards—black men
on 11, 12, 16, 19 and 23. White men
on 9, 13, 28, and 31, king on 7. If you
had this position with the blacks, it
might appear hopeless, but nevertheless,
black has a neat stroke which draws.
Move 19 to 24, 28 to 19, 23 to 27, 31
to 24, 16 to 23, 7 to 16, 12 to 28
drawn.
And, then, there's that spectacular
stroke with which a checkerist can as­
tonish the average person who does
not realize what scientific checkers is
about. Place black men on 3, 8, 12, 19,
27. White men on 9, 17, 18, 25, 26, 28,
30. Seven to five, yet black moves and
wins,_ and the beauty of it is that black
to win gives away four more men.
Play 19 to 24, 28 to 19, 12 to 16,
19 to 12, 3 to 7, 12 to 3, 27 to 31, 3
to 10. Black wins. Then, we have the
following four artifices that crop up in
different ways in the single corner sec­
tor of the board. White kings on 3 and
4; man on 15. Black kings on 6, 16.
Black wins by 16 to 11, 15 to 8, 6 to
10. Again, place white kings on 3, 4,
and white men on 22 and 12. Black
men on 11, 15. King on 6.
Black moves 15 to 18, 22 to 8, 6 to
10. Black wins. Again set, black kings
on 6, 15 and white king on 3, man on
16. Black plays 15 to 11, 16 to 7, 6 to
2 and wins. Also set up black man on
4. King on 6. White man on 7. King on
12. Black moves 4 to 8, 12 to 3, 6 to 2
and wins.
And now for "old thirty-first." A
notable ending that stresses the im­
portance of every move. Place black
men on 14, 15 and a king on 11. White
men on 22, 23 and 12. Black is to play
and win, and pay close attention. Black
moves 11 to 16, then 12 to 8 for white.
Now 16 to 12 is black's star play, for
if he goes 16 to 20, white goes 23 to 19
and obtains a draw by getting a king on
square 3 and capturing the black man
on 14.
After 16 to 12, (black's star play)
white's star move is 23 to 19. Black
jumps 15 to 24 and white goes in for
a king on square 3. Then comes black's
next star play and its a masterpiece.
Black moves 12 to 8, the only move
to win. White jumps 3 to 12, and black
continues 24 to 27, obtaining a king
and coming out and capturing the white
man on 22 and winning. How's that
for checker strategy? This, by the way
has been a favorite problem with the
18 MAJOR TACTICS OP CHECKERS
expert who always delight in setting it
up on the board and asking the student
to try and win with the blacks. When
he gets tired trying, they show him
how it is done.
And now for another old time stra­
tegy that waa also in vogue long before
our day. It's known as "Martin's draw"
and came up in the early eighties in
a game played by the old English check­
er master. Place black checkers on 28,
19 and 10, and white men on 31 and 21,
and a king on 2. Black is to move and
draw and it certainly is some task to
secure that draw. Black moves 19 to
23, then 2 to 7 for white. Continue 10
to 14, 7 to 10, 14 to 18, 10 to 15, 18
to 22, 15 to 18 and things look critical
for black.
Now black makes a masterly sacrifice
by 22 to 26, then 31 to 22, 28 to 32,
18 to 27, 32 to 23, 21 to 17, 23 to 26
drawn. Now we will give just one more
elementary trap of frequent occurence
and then go on into our more advanced
strategies. Place black checkers on
squares 4, 12, 21 and place white check­
ers on 11 and 23 and a white king on
square 2.
It is white's move and here again
his objective is to play 23 to 19 to
keep black from moving out of square
12. After 23 to 19, black's only move
is 21 to 25, and white's best move is 2
to 7, for it offers a win in the next few
moves. White by analyzing the position,
sees that if he sacrifices the checker on
19 by moving 19 to 16 and then plays
11 to 8, he gets a two for two jump
that lands him on square 23. He now
calculates that white must either go 8
to 3, or 8 to 4 at this stage and then
making the plays, he visualized i.e., 19
to 16, 12 to 19, 11 to 8, 4 to 11, 7 to
23 he finds he ends up with having the
move on the black king and wins the
game.
We now advance to the more intricate
combinations, depicting some of the
most brilliant compositions of the mas­
ters. In listing these problems, I have
purposely set aside the mention of the
solutions to a separate page, to further
encourage the student to try his hand
at solving them. If, after repeated ef­
forts you find you are unable to locate
the correct moves, you can then resort
to the section giving the answer to
same.
By adopting this system, you will
derive a greater element of surprise
and a more poignant realization of
their intrinsic worth. The more puzzling
the problem, the greater the astonish­
ment on learning its secret. Now, let's
go!
P R O B L E M No. 1
Black checkers on squares 2, 9. King
on 16. White checkers on 8, 17, and
king on 4. Black to move and win.
PROBLEM No. 2 P R O B L E M No. 17
Black checkers on 22, 18. King on
17. White checkers on 5, 30, king on 1.
Black to move and win.
PROBLEM No. 3
Black kings on 26, 27, 30. White man
on 18, white kings on 10, 11, 28. Black
to move and win.
PROBLEM No. 4
Black men on 10, 11, 25. White men
on 18, 19. King on 13. Black to move
and draw.
P R O B L E M No. 5
Black men on 2, 5, 6. White men on
11, 13, 14 and 24. White to move and
win.
PROBLEM No. 6
Black men on 9, 10, 20, 22. King
on 31. White men on 32, 28, 18, 19.
King on 2. White to play and win.
P R O B L E M No. 7
Black men on 5, 14, 28. King on 29.
White men on 13, 26, 32. King on 19.
White to play and win.
PROBLEM No. 8
Black kings on 12, 13, 17. Black man
on 16. White kings on 5, 7. White men
on 11 and 25. Black to move and win.
P R O B L E M No. 9
Black men on 5, 24, 28. Black king
on 14. White men on 13, 31. Kings on
6 and 26. Black to move and draw.
P R O B L E M No. 10
Black men on 4, 7 and 27. White men
on 30 and 12. White kings on 25, 26,
17, 18, 9. Black to play and win.
P R O B L E M No. 11
Black men on 4, 19, 23, 27. Black
kings on 3, 29. White men on 32, 20,
22, 15. White kings on 21, 14. Black
to move and win.
P R O B L E M No. 12
Black men on 10, 11. Black kings on
9, 12, 21, 18, 20. White men on 24,
26. White kings on 31, 27 and 1. White
to move and win.
P R O B L E M No. 13
Black men on 16, 25. King on 21.
White men on 28, 30. King on 23.
White to move and win.
P R O B L E M No. 14
Black men on 1, 3, 14, 15, 16. King
on 30. White men on 7, 9, 10, 22, 23,
24, 25. White to play and win.
P R O B L E M No. 15
Black men on 3, 6, 7, 10, 12, 14.
Black king on 22. White men on 30, 31,
24, 28, 19, 21. King on 8. White to
move and win.
P R O B L E M No. 16
Black man on 11. Kings on 31, 30,
26. Whitd men on 32, 20, 18, 15, 11, 6.
Kings on 17, 10. Black to play and win.
"First Position"—Black kings on 17,
 MAJOR TACTICS OF CHECKERS 19

14. White man on 21. King on 5. Black men on 8, 14. King on 22. White to
to move and win. move and win.
P R O B L E M No. 18 PROBLEM NO. 34
Black man on 7. King on 18. White Black men on 9, 19, 24. White men
man on 19. King on 17. Black to move on 32, 22. King on 15. Black to move
and win. and draw.
P R O B L E M No. 19 P R O B L E M No. 35
Black kings on 4 and 8. White king Black men on 21, 17, 20, 19, 15.
on 10. White to play and draw. White men on 30, 26, 27, 24. King on 6.
White to move and win.
P R O B L E M No. 20
P R O B L E M No. 36
Black man on 5. King on 13. White
king on 10. White to play and draw. Black men on 14, 19. Kings on 12,
21. White men on 22, 28, 30. King on
P R O B L E M No. 21 11. White to play and win.
Black man on 14. King on 30 and 24.
PROBLEM No. 37
White kings on 21, 22 and 16. White
to move and win. Black men on 10, 14. Kings on 16,
19. White men on 17, 29. Kings on 13
P R O B L E M No. 22 and 21. Black to move and win.
Black man on 2. Kings on 3, 22.
P R O B L E M No. 38
White men on 5, 10. King on 23. Black
to move and win. Black men on 1, 2, 5, 13, 17. Kings
on 18 and 28. White men on 10, 11, 14,
P R O B L E M No. 23 27, 29. Kings on 23 and 30. White to
Black kings on 10, 19. Man on 4. play and win.
White men on 6, 11. King on 8. White
to move and draw. P R O B L E M No. 39
Black men on 5, 6, 13, 25. Kings on
P R O B L E M No. 24 23 and 30. White men on 7, 8, 11, 19,
Black man on 5. King on 22. White 21, 31. White to play and win.
kings on 14, 15. White to move and win.
P R O B L E M No. 40
P R O B L E M No. 25 Black men on 4, 11, 12, 14. King on
Black man on 4. King on 2. White 21. White men on 19, 20, 24, 28. King
man on 12. King on 9. Black to move on 26. White to move and win.
and draw.
P R O B L E M No. 41
P R O B L E M No. 26 Black men on 16, 27, 26. King on 11.
Black men on 5, 7, 15. Kings on 3, White men on 25, 23. Kings on 29 and
10. White men on 20 and 16. Kings on 10. White to move and win.
4, 13 and 23. Black to move and win.
P R O B L E M No. 42
P R O B L E M No. 27 Black man on 19. Kings on 9, 25, 22.
Black men on 14, 16. King on 32. White kings on 28, 12, 10 and 1. White
White kings on 22 and 24. Black to to move and win.
play and win.
P R O B L E M No. 43
P R O B L E M No. 28 Black men on 13, 15, 21. White men
Black men on 9, 14, 17. Kings on 3 on 22 and 32. White king on 31. White
and 10, and 18. White men on 16 and to move and win.
32. Kings on 1, 4, 19, 31. White to
move and win. P R O B L E M No. 44
Black men on 13, 15, 19. Kings on
P R O B L E M No. 29 7, 14. White man on 22 .Kings on 12,
Black kings on 1 and 10. White kings 16 and 21. Black to move and win.
on 3, 16. Man on 13. Black to move and
draw. P R O B L E M No. 45
Black man on 20. King on 6. White
P R O B L E M No. 30 men on 27, 7. King on 3. Black to
Black men on 11 and 16. King on 6. move and draw in three moves.
White man on 24. Kings on 3, 4. Black
to move and win. P R O B L E M No. 46
Black men on 2, 9. Kings on 11, 31.
P R O B L E M No. 31 White men on 12, 22. Kings on 10 and
Black men on 8, 14 and 26. White 32. Black to move and win.
men on 7, 20 and 22. White to move
and draw. P R O B L E M No. 47
Black man on 23. Kings on 8 and 14.
P R O B L E M No. 32 White men on 16, 20, 28. King on 31.
Black men on 6, 7, 10, 13. King on Black to move and win.
15. White men on 17, 22, 23, 24, 30.
White to move and win. P R O B L E M No. 48
Black men on 6, 10. King on 22.
P R O B L E M No. 33 White men on 13, 17. King on 7. Black
Black men on 7, 16. King on 2. White to move and win.
 20 MAJOR TACTICS OF CHECKERS
P R O B L E M No. 49
Black men on 5 and 11. King on 27.
White men on 13, 19. King on 10.
White to play and draw.
P R O B L E M No. 50
"Biggest Stroke." Black men on 7,
9, 14, 19, 20, 22, 26, 28. King on 15.
White men on 8, 13, 16, 21, 23, 29, 30
and 31. Kings on 4 and 6. Black to
move and win.
P R O B L E M No. 51
Black men on 8 and 11. King on 14.
White men on 24 and 28. King on 13.
Black to move! and win.
P R O B L E M No. 52
Black men on 3 and 15. King on 18.
White men on 16 and 11. King on 6.
White to play and win.
P R O B L E M No. 53
Black men on 10, 11. Kings on 12,
18. White men on 19, 20, 24. King on
3. Black to play and win.
P R O B L E M No. 54
Black men on 10, 21. Kings on 20,
18, 25. White man on 9. Kings on 13
and 11 and 3. White to move and win.
P R O B L E M No. 55
Black men on 10, 28. Kings on 11,
27. White men on 24, 19. Kings on 18
and 3. White to move and win.
P R O B L E M No. 56
Black men on 5, 9, 16. King on 25.
White men on 23, 28, 31 and 32.
White to play and win.
P R O B L E M No. 57
Black men on 11, 15 and 18. King
on 22. White men on 20 and 30. King
on 6. Black to move and win.
P R O B L E M No. 58
Black men on 21 and 28. Kings on
2 and 29. White men on 32, 30. Kings
on 1 and 10. White to move and win.
P R O B L E M No. 59
Black men on 1, 9, 11, 20. Kings on
10 and 29. White men on 6, 18, 23, 24,
31. King on 27. White to move and win.
P R O B L E M No. 60
Black men on 1, 2, 3, 20, 21, 22.
Black kings on 11 and 17. White men
on 28, 29, 18, 13 and 10 and 5. "Black
to move and prevent white obtaining
a king."
SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS
P R O B L E M No. 1
9 to 14, 17 to 10, 3 to 7, 10 to 3, 16
to 12. Black wins.
P R O B L E M No. 2
22 to 26, 30 to 14, 17 to 10. Black
wins.
P R O B L E M No. 3
27 to 24, 28 to 19, 26 to 23, 19 to
26. Black wins.
P R O B L E M No. 4
10 to 14* (the only draw move) 18
to 9, 25 to 30, 13 to 17, 30 to 26, 17
to 14, 26 to 23. Draw.
P R O B L E M No. 5
11 to 7, 2 to 11, 24 to 19. White
wins.
P R O B L E M No. 6
18 to 15, 10 to 14, 2 to 6, 9 to 13, 32
to 27, 31 to 24, 15 to 10, 24 to 15, 6
to 1, 15 to 6, 1 to 26, 13 to 17, 26 to
23, 17 to 22, 23 to 27, 22 to 25, 27 to
32, 25 to 29, 28 to 24, 20 to 27, 32 to
23. White wins.
P R O B L E M No. 7
26 to 22, 29 to 25, 22 to 18, 14 to
23, 19 to 26, 25 to 21, 13 to 9*, 5 to
14, 26 to 22. White wins.
P R O B L E M No. 8
17 to 21, 25 to 22, 21 to 25, 22 to 18,
13 to 9, 5 to 14, 25 to 22, 18 to 15, 22
to 18, 14 to 23, 16 to 19, 23 to 16, 12
to 3. Black wins.
P R O B L E M No. 9
28 to 32, 26 to 23, 24 to 27, 31 to 24,
14 to 9, 6 to 2, 32 to 28, 13 to 6, 32
to 26. Drawn.
P R O B L E M No. 10
4 to 8, 12 to 3, 17 to 31, 3 to 10,
31 to 29. Black wins.
P R O B L E M No. 11
29 to 25, 21 to 30, 23 to 26, 30 to 16,
4 to 8, 32 to 23, 8 to 11. Black wins.
P R O B L E M No. 12
27 to 23, 18 to 27, 26 to 23, 27 to 18,
1 to 5, 20 to 27, 5 to 16, 12 to 19, 31
to 22. White wins.
P R O B L E M No. 13
28 to 24, 16 to 20, 23 to 27, 25 to 29,
30 to 26, 29 to 25, 26 to 22, 25 to 18,
27 to 32. White wins.
P R O B L E M No. 14
9 to 5, 30 to 21, 23 to 18, 14 to 23,
24 to 19, 15 to 24, 22 to 17, 21 to 14,
7 to 2. White wins.
P R O B L E M No. 15
19 to 16, 12 to 19, 24 to 15, 3 to 12,
30 to 26. White wins.
P R O B L E M No. 16
31 to 27, 32 to 23, 26 to 19, 17 to 26,
30 to 16, 20 to 11, 19 to 1. Black wins.
B R O B L E M No. 17
17 to 13, 5 to 1, 13 to 9, 1 to 5, 9 to
6, 5 to 1, 14 to 10, 1 to 5, 6 to 1, 5 to 9,
10 to 15, 9 to 5, 15 to 18, 5 to 9 ( A ) ,
1 to 5, 9 to 6 ( B ) , 18 to 15, 21 to 17,
5 to 1, 6 to 9, 15 to 18, 17 to 1 3 ( C ) ,
18 to 15, 9 to 14, 1 to 5, 14 to 17, 15
to 10, 17 to 22, 10 to 14, 22 to 25, 5
 MAJOR TACTICS OF CHECKERS
to 1, 25 to 22, 1 to 6, 22 to 25, 6 to 10,
25 to 22, 10 to 15. Black wins. At
n o t e — ( A ) if 21 to 17, 18 to 22, 17 to
14, 1 to 6, 5 to 1, 6 to 2, 1 to 5, 22 to
17, black wins. At ( B ) if 9 to 13, 18 to
22, 21 to 17, 5 to 1, 17 to 14, 1 to 5,
14 to 10, 22 to 18, 10 to 6, 5 to 1,
black wins. At ( C ) , if 9 to 5, 18 to 22,
17 to 14, 1 to 5, 5 to 1, 6 to 2, 1 to 5,
22 to 17, 14 to 9, 17 to 14, black wins.
P R O B L E M No. 18
7 to 11, 19 to 15, 18 to 22, 15 to 8,
22 to 13, 8 to 3, 13 to 9, 3 to 7, 9 to 6,
7 to 11, 6 to 10. Black wins.
P R O B L E M No. 19
10 to 7, 8 to 12, 7 to 11, 12 to 8, 11
to 7. Drawn.
P R O B L E M No. 2 0
10 to 14, 13 to 9, 14 to 10*. Drawn.
P R O B L E M No. 21
16 to 11, 24 to 19, 22 to 17*, 14 to
18, 11 to 15*, 19 to 10, 17 to 14.
White wins.
P R O B L E M No. 2 2
2 to 7, 10 to 6, 22 to 18, 23 to 14,
7 to 10. Black wins.
P R O B L E M No. 23
6 to 2*, 10 to 7, 8 to 12, 7 to 16, 2
to 7, 16 to 20, 12 to 8. Drawn.
P R O B L E M No. 2 4
15 to 10, 22 to 26, 14 to 18, 5 to 9,
10 to 15, 9 to 13, 15 to 19, 26 to 31,
18 to 23, 13 to 17, 19 to 24, 17 to 22,
24 to 20 ,22 to 25, 23 to 27. White wins.
P R O B L E M No. 2 5
2 to 7, 9 to 14, 7 to 3, 14 to 10, 4 to 8,
10 to 15, 8 to 11, 15 to 8, 3 to 7. Drawn.
P R O B L E M No. 2 6
7 to 11, 16 to 7, 15 to 19, 23 to 16,
5 to 9, 13 to 15, 3 to 12. Black wins.
P R O B L E M No. 27
32 to 28*, 24 to 20, 14 to 18*, 22 1o
15, 16 to 19, 15 to 24, 28 to 19. Black
wins.
P R O B L E M No. 2 8
4 to 8*, 3 to 12, 19 to 23. White
wins.
P R O B L E M No. 29
1 to 6, 16 to 11, 6 to 2, 13 to 9 ( A ) ,
10 to 6, 9 to 5, 6 to 1, 3 to 7, 2 to 6,
7 to 2, 6 to 9, 11 to 15, 9 to 13, 15 to
10, 13 to 9. Drawn. At note ( A ) , if 3
to 8, 2 to 6, 8 to 12, 6 to 1, 12 to 16,
1 to 6, 16 to 19, 10 to 14. Drawn, as
white cannot crown man nor force ex­
change.
P R O B L E M No. 30
16 to 19, 24 to 8, 6 to 10. Black wins.
P R O B L E M No. 31
7 to 2, 26 to 30, 2 to 6, 30 to 25, 20
to 16, 25 to 18, 16 to 12, 8 to 11, 6 to
10, 14 to 17, 10 to 15. Drawn.
21
P R O B L E M No. 3 2
24 to 19, 15 to 24, 22 to 18, 13 to 22,
10 to 14, 9 to 18, 15 to 31. White wins.
P R O B L E M No. 33
8 to 3, 7 to 11, 3 to 7, best, 11 to 15,
22 to 1 7 ( A ) , 15 to 18, 14 to 10, 21 to
14, 7 to 2, 14 to 7, white wins. At ( A ) ,
if 7 to 11, black draws by 15 to 18.
P R O B L E M No. 3 4
19 to 23, 15 to 19, 23 to 26, 19 to 28,
9 to 14, 32 to 27, 26 to 31*, 27 to 23,
31 to 27*, 22 to 18, 14 to 17, 28 to 32,
17 to 21, 32 to 28, 21 to 25, 28 to 32,
25 to 30, 32 to 28, 30 to 25 drawn.
P R O B L E M No. 3 5
6 to 10, 19 to 28, 10 to 19, 28 to 32,
19 to 23, 32 to 28, 27 to 24*, 20 to 27,
23 to 32, 28 to 24, 30 to 25, 21 to 30,
32 to 28, 30 to 23, 28 to 26. White wins.
P R O B L E M No. 36
11 to 16, 19 to 23, 16 to 19, 23 to 27,
19 to 23, 27 to 31, 23 to 27, 31 to 24,
28 to 19, 12 to 8, 19 to 16, 8 to 12, 16
to 11, 12 to 16, 22 to 17. White wins.
P R O B L E M No. 37
19 to 15, 29 to 25, 15 to 18, 13 to 9,
10 to 15, 18 to 22, 25 to 11, 16 to 5.
Black wins.
P R O B L E M No. 3 8
29 to 25, 18 to 9, 25 to 22, 17 to 26,
10 to 6, 1 to 10, 11 to 7, 2 to 11, 27 to
24, 28 to 19, 23 to 14, 9 to 18, 30 to
14. White wins.
P R O B L E M No. 39
31 to 26, 23 to 16, 8 to 3, 30 to 23,
21 to 17, 13 to 22, 7 to 2, 16 to 7, 2
to 9, 5 to 14, 3 to 19. White wins.
P R O B L E M No. 4 0
19 to 16, 12 to 19, 24 to 8, 4 to 11,
20 to 16, 11 to 20, 26 to 22. White
wins.
P R O B L E M No. 41
23 to 19, 16 to 23, 10 to 15, 11 to 18,
25 to 22. White wins.
P R O B L E M No. 4 2
1 to 5*, 9 to 13, 12 to 16*, 19 to 23,
5 to 9, 13 to 15, 16 to 19. White wins.
P R O B L E M No. 4 3
31 to 26, 21 to 25, 26 to 30, 25 to 29,
32 to 27, 15 to 19, 30 to 26, 29 to 25,
26 to 31. White wins.
P R O B L E M No. 4 4
15 to 18*, 22 to 15, 14 to 10*, 15 to
6, 13 to 17, 16 ta 23, 7 to 2, 21 to 14,
2 to 27, black wins.
P R O B L E M No. 4 5
20 to 24*, 27 to 20, 6 to 2, drawn.
P R O B L E M No. 4 6
2 to 7*, 10 to 3, 9 to 14, 32 to 27*,
31 to 24, 12 to 8*, 11 to 4, 3 to 7, 24
to 19, 7 to 10, 14 to 18*, 22 to 15, 4
to 8, black wins.
22 MAJOR TACTTCS OF CHECKERS
P R O B L E M No. 4 7
8 to 12, 16 to 11, 12 to 16, 11 to 7,
16 to 19, 7 to 3, 14 to 10, 3 to 8, 10 to
15, 8 to 12, 15 to 11, 28 to 24, 19 to
28, 12 to 16, 11 to 15*, 16 to 12, 15
to 10*. 12 to 8, 10 to 7*, 8 to 21, 28
to 24*, 12 to 16, 7 to 3, 16 to 11, 24 to
28. Black wins.
P R O B L E M No. 4 8
22 to 25, 7 to 14, 25 to 21. Black
wins.
P R O B L E M No. 4 9
10 to 14*, 27 to 23, 19 to 15, 11 to
18, 13 to 9, 23 to 27, (18 to 22 loses
by 14 to 10) 14 to 32, 5 to 14 drawn.
P R O B L E M No. 5 0
7 to 11, 16 to 7, 20 to 24, 23 to
28 to 32, 30 to 23, 15 to 10, 6 to
32 to 28, 13 to 6, 14 to 17, 21 to
22 to 25, 29 to 22, 24 to 27, 31 to
Black wins.
P R O B L E M No. 51
11 to 15, 24 to 20, 8 to 11, 28 to 24,
14 to 18, 13 to 9, 18 to 23, 9 to 14, 23
to 27, 14 to 10, 27 to 32, 10 to 19, 32
to 28. Black wins.
P R O B L E M No. 5 2
6 to 10, 15 to 19, 10 to 6*, 18 to 15,
11 to 7*, 3 to 10, 16 to 11, white wins.
P R O B L E M No. 5 3
18 to 14, 3 to 7, 10 to 15, 7 to 16,
14 to 9, 19 to 10, 12 to 28. Black wins.
P R O B L E M No. 5 4
11 to 16, 20 to 11, 3 to 7, 9 to 6, 2
to 9. White wins.
P R O B L E M No. 5 5
19 to 16*, 11 to 20, 18 to 23*, 27 to
18, 3 to 7, 20 to 27, 7 to 32. White wins.
P R O B L E M No. 5 6
28 to 24, 16 to 20, 31 to 26*, 20 to
27, 26 to 22, 25 to 18, 23 to 14, 9 to
18, 32 to 14. White wins.
P R O B L E M No. 5 7
18 to 23, 6 to 2 (best), 22 to 17, 2
to 7, 11 to 16, 20 to 11, 23 to 26, 30
to 23, 15 to 18, black wins.
P R O B L E M No. 5 8
1 to 5*, 29 to 25, 5 to 9, 25 to 22,
9 to 13, 22 to 18, 30 to 26, 21 to 25,
13 to 9, 25 to 30, 9 to 5, 30 to 23, 32
to 27, 23 to 32, 10 to 6. White wins.
P R O B L E M No. 59
18 to 14, 10 to 17, 31 to 26, 1 to 10,
27 to 32, 20 to 27, 26 to 22, 17 to 19,
32 to 5. White wins.
P R O B L E M No. 6 0
20 to 24, 28 to 19, 17 to 14, 18 to 9,
11 to 15, 10 to 7, 15 to 24, 9 to 6, 3 to
10, 29 to 25, 22 to 29, and black wins
without white securing a king.
PART 4
R E V I E W OF T H E T W O - M O V E
RESTRICTION OPENING'S
In most all the present day checker
matches, the "two-move restriction" will
be found in vogue. This system of play
was first introduced by the Scottish
and English Draughts Associations and
has recently become very popular.
Owing to the fact that it compele the
players to ballot the first move of each
side, it yields a wider scope to the cross-
board player.
Once the student has developed skill
in the general tactics of the game, he
will find that he need but learn the
Opening continuations to be in a posi­
tion to defend himself in this style of
play.
In listing a summary of all the two-
move combinations showing the strong­
est lines to adopt in each. I feel con­
16, fident these will be found a sufficient
15, guide to all contemplating tournament
14, checkers.
24. It will be noticed that I am not at­
tempting to give all the many ways of
winning and losing in this system of
play, to do so would be to great a task,
and likewise defeat my purpose. What
I am seeking to register in the students
mind is far more important. It is a
general outline of the paths of safety
for both sides and when, as will occur
in many games, your adversary varies
from these accepted lines, it is up to
you to take advantages of same thru
careful crossboard play.
When playing experts, you will gen­
erally find they adhere closely to the
games and variations found in the text.
Expert checkers, after all is really
the ability to build up a winning posi­
tion when your opponent fails to adopt
a sound line of defense; for that rea­
son crossboard technique is far more
vital than memorized lines of play.
9 to 13 O P E N I N G ' S
9 to 13, 21 to 17.—Strongest con­
tinuation for Black is 5 to 9, then 25 to
21 for white. Now 9 to 14, 29 to 25, 6
to 9, 23 to 18 makes a good line for
Black. With the whites, after 9 to 14
is made, white can play 30 to 25, in-
tead of 29 to 25 and obtain a strong
defense.
9 to 13, 22 to 17.—Continue 13 to
22, 25 to 18; now 6 to 9, 18 to 1 4 ( A ) ,
10 to 17, 21 to 14, 9 to 18, 23 to 14,
12 to 16, is strong for Blacks. With
white you can vary at ( A ) with 29 to
25, and Blacks best play is 11 to 15. If
10 to 15, then 26 to 22, 9 to 13, 24 to
19 leads to) a white win.
9 to 13, 22 to 18.—With Black play
6 to 9, 25 to 2 2 ( A ) , 1 to 6, 24 to 20,
10 to 15, 28 to 24, 7 to 10, 29 to 25,
3 to 7, to a safe game. With whites at
( A ) play 18 to 14, 9 to 18, 23 to 14,
10 to 17, 21 to 14, 12 to 16*, 24 to 20,
16 to 19, 25 to 22.
9 to 13, 2 3 to 18.—With the Black
side continue 12 to 16, 18 to 1 4 ( A ) ,
10 to 17, 21 to 14, 6 to 10, 27 to 23,
10 to 17, 24 to 19, 8 to 12. With the
white side at ( A ) vary with 24 to 20,
 MAJOR TACTICS OF CHECKERS
16 to 19, 18 to 15, 11 to 18, 22 to 15,
5 to 9, 25 to 22, 9 to 14, 30 to 25
making an even game.
9 to 13, 2 4 to 19.—With the Black
side continue 11 to 15, 28 to 24, 6 to 9,
23 to 1 8 ( A ) , 1 to 6, 18 to 11, 7 to 23,
27 to 18, 12 to 16, 26 to 23, 16 to 20.
With the white at ( A ) play 22 to 18,
15 to 22, 25 o 18, 8 to 1 1 ( B ) , 18 to 14,
9 to 18, 23 to 14, 10 to 17, 21 to 14,
11 to 16, 26 to 23, to an even game.
At ( B ) if Black plays 9 to 14, 18 to 9,
5 to 14, white continues 24 to 20, 8 to
11, 29 to 25, 11 to 15, 19 to 16, and
secures a strong game.
9 to 13, 2 4 to 20.—With the Black
continue, 11 to 1 5 ( A ) 22 to 1 7 ( B ) , 13
to 2 2 „ 25 to 11, 8 to 15, 21 to 1 7 ( C ) ,
5 to 9, 17 to 13, 9 to 14. If at ( C )
white moves 29 to 25 instead of 21 to
17, continue 10 to 14, 25 to 22, 7 to 11,
22 to 18, 15 to 22, 26 to 10, 6 to 15,
31 to 26, 3 to 7, 27 to 24, 1 to 6. With
the white side, a good line is to play
23 to 18 at (B)—the continuation runs
23 to 18, 8 to 11, 27 to 23, 6 to 9, 32
to 27, making an even game. If Black
at ( A ) should vary 5 to 9 instead of
11 to 15, play 22 to 18, 10 to 14, 25
to 22, 7 to 10, 27 to 24, 3 to 7 giving
an equal position.
9 to 14 O P E N I N G ' S
9 to 14, 2 2 to 17.—With the Black,
continue 11 to 1 5 ( A ) , 25 to 22, 15 to
19, 24 to 15, 10 to 19, 23 to 16, 12 to
19, 17 to 10, 6 to 15, 21 to 17, 5 to 9,
29 to 2 5 ( B ) , 2 to 6, 25 to 21, forming
the "Double Corner Dyke"; a good line
for Blacks. With the white checkers, at
( B ) you can vary 27 to 24, instead of
29 to 25. The continuation then would
be, 27 to 24, 2 to 6, 22 to 18, 15 to 22,
24 to 15, 9 to 13, 32 to 27, 6 to 9, 26
to 23, 8 to 11, 15 to 8, 4 to 11, 17 to
14, 9 to 18, 23 to 14, 7 to 10, 14 to 7,
3 to 10, 27 to 23, 1 to 6 28 to 24, 6 to 9,
23 to 19, 13 to 17, 24 to 20, 9 to 13,
19 to 16, 11 to 15 Drawn. If with
whites. Black sohuld move 11 to 16
at ( A ) instead of 11 to 15, play 25
to 22, then the usual continuation is
16 to 20, 17 to 13, 8 to 11, 22 to 18,
4 to 8, 18 to 9, 5 to 14, 29 to 25, 11
to 15, 25 to 22 and 7 to 11, leads to
a draw, but 8 to 11 loses by 22 to 17*,
15 to 18, 30 to 25, 11 to 15, 24 to 19,
15 to 24, 28 to 19, 10 to 15, 19 to 10,
6 to 15, 17 to 10, 7 to 14, 26 to 22, 12
to 16, 22 to 17, 2 to 7, 17 to 10, 7 to
14, 13 to 9, 3 to 8, 31 to 26, 8 to 12,
9 to 5, 15 to 19, 32 to 28, white wins.
9 to 14, 2 2 to 18.—With Black, fol­
low up with 11 to 15, 18 to 9, 5 to 14
and etc., as detailed is Part One of
these lectures. With the white side, the
game would run 9 to 14, 22 to 18,
and if Black continue 5 to 9, white has
the choice of (25 to 22) (24 to 1 9 ) ,
(24 to 2 0 ) , or (18 to 15) as draw
moves. It might be good policy to adopt
18 to 15, as your white attack as it
throws the play on new ground. Continue
after 18 to 15, 11 to 18, 21 to 17, 14
23
to 21, 23 to 5, 12 to 16, 25 to 22, 16
to 20, 22 to 18, 8 to 11, 29 to 25, 6 to
9, 25 to 22, 10 to 15, 26 to 23, 7 to 10,
24 to 19, 15 to 24, 28 to 19, 9 to 13,
19 to 16, 2 to 7, 23 to 19. Now 10 to 15
is Blacks draw move, while 4 to 8 loses.
9 to 14, 2 3 to 18.—This is a weak
opening for white. The best defense
runs, 9 to 14, 23 to 18, 14 to 23, 27
to 18, 12 to 1 6 ( A ) , 18 to 14, 10 to 17,
21 to 14, 6 to 9, 14 to 10, 7 to 14, 22
to 18, 14 to 23, 26 to 12, 11 to 15, 25
to 22, 9 to 14, 29 to 25, 8 to 11. 24 to
19, 15 to 24, 28 to 19, 11 to 16 leads
to a draw. If at ( A ) Black play 5 to 9,
then 26 to 23 is white's proper play.
9 to 14, 2 3 to 19.—With the Black,
continue 11 to 1 6 ( A ) , 26 to 2 3 ( B ) , 6
to 9, 24 to 20, 9 to 13, 20 to 11, 8 to
24, 28 to 19, 14 to 17, 21 to 14, 10 to
26, leading to an even game. It at ( B )
white should vary with 27 to 23,—fol­
low up with 16 to 20, 32 to 27, 5 to 9,
22 to 17, 8 to 11, 19 to 16, 12 to 19,
24 to 8, 4 to 11, 17 to 13, 1 to 5, 25
to 22, 14 to 17. With the white side, if
Black plays 11 to 16 as his second move,
it is best to adopt the 26 to 23 line as
given. If at ( A ) Black play 5 to 9, in-
tead of 11 to 16, the continuation is
27 to 23, 11 to 15, 22 to 18, 15 to 22,
25 to 18, 7 to 11, 26 to 22, 11 to 15,
18 to 11, 8 to 15, 24 to 20, 15 to 24,
28 to 19, 4 to 8, 30 to 26, 8 to 11, 19
to 16, leading to a draw position.
9 to 14, 2 4 to 19.—With the Black
side continue 11 to 1 5 ( A ) , 22 to 1 8 ( B ) ,
15 to 24, 18 to 9, 5 to 14, 28 to 19, 8
to 11, 25 to 22, 11 to 15, leaving an
equal game. With the whites at ( B ) ,
(27 to 24) is a good defense, forming
the "Defiance" opening. The continua­
tion then is 8 to 11, 22 to 18. If Black
at ( A ) plays 5 to 9, instead of 11 to 15,
22 to 18 gives an even game.
9 to 14, 2 4 to 20.—With the Black
side continue 5 to 9 ( A ) , 22 to 1 8 ( B ) ,
10 to 15, and whites best play is 28 to
24 giving an equal position. Should
white play 25 to 22 instead of 28 to 24,
after 10 to 15 Black moves 7 to 10
and gets a strong game.
With the white side play 22 to 17 at
( B ) the play then continue 11 to 15,
17 to 13, 1 to 5, 28 to 24, 8 to 11, 23
to 19 and is into a variation of the
"Ayshire Lassie" opening. If at ( A )
Black plays 11 to 15 continue 22 to 17,
8 to 11, 28 to 24, 4 to 8, 23 to 19, 15
to 18, 26 to 23. Again at ( A ) if 11 to
16 20 to 11, 8 to 15, 22 to 18 gives
white the best game.
10 to 14 O P E N I N G ' S
10 to 14, 22 to 17.—With the Black
side, continue 7 to 10, 17 to 13, 3 to 7,
24 to 2 0 ( A ) , 14 to 18, 23 to 14, 9 to
18 now if 26 to 23, 10 to 14 is proper,
and if 21 to 17 instead of 26 to 23,
10 to 15 draws. With white side at
note ( A ) — y o u can vary with 25 to 22
then Blacks best play is 14 to 17, 21
to 14, 9 to 25, 29 to 22 then—11 to 15,
23 to 18, 5 to 9, 18 to 11, 8 to 15, 26
24 MAJOR TACTICS OP CHECKERS
to 23, 9 to 14, 23 to 18, 14 to 23, 27 to
11, 7 to 16, 22 to 18, 4 to 8, 30 to 26,
8 to 11, 32 to 7 leaving a draw posi­
tion.
10 to 14, 2 2 to 18.—With the Black
side continue 11 to 1 6 ( A ) 24 to 1 9 ( B ) ,
7 to 10, 25 to 22, 16 to 20, 18 to 15,
9 to 13, 29 to 25, 3 to 7, 22 to 18, 7
to 11, 18 to 9, 5 to 14, 26 to 22, 11 to
18, 22 to 15, 2 to 7, 23 to 18, 14 to 23,
27 to 18, 12 to 16, 19 to 3, 10 to 19,
3 to 10, 6 to 29, 31 to 27, 29 to 25, 21
to 1 7 , D r a w n . With the white side at
( B ) vary, 24 to 20, 16 to 19, 23 to 16,
12 to 19, forming "Bristol" game, con­
tinue 18 to 15, 14 to 1 8 ( C ) , 21 to 17,
9 to 13, 17 to 14 leading to a draw.
At ( C ) if 7 to 10, 20 to 16 is proper.
If at 3rd move of the opening Black
varies at ( A ) with 11 to 15, 18 to 11,
8 to 15, continue 24 to 20, 4 to 8, 28
to 24, 8 to 11, 23 to 19, 7 to 10, 25
to 22 draws.
10 to 14, 2 3 to 18.—Continue 14 to
23, 26 to 1 9 ( A ) , 6 to 10, 27 to 23, 11
to 15, 30 to 26 is regular play. With
white side you can vary at ( A ) with
27 to 18, continue then 12 to 16, 32 to
27, 16 to 20, 26 to 23, now if 6 to 10,
30 to 26 is best and if 11 to 15, 18 to
11, 8 to 15, then 22 to 18 is draw line.
10 to 14, 2 3 to 19.—Continue with
Black 14 to 1 8 ( A ) , 22 to 15, 11 to 18,
21 to 17, 8 to 11. Now if 17 to 14, 4
to 8, 24 to 20, 11 to 15 is proper. And
if instead of 17 to 14 white plays 17
to 13 continue 9 to 14, 26 to 23, 11 to
16, 24 to 20, 3 to 8 to an even game.
With white side, if Black varies at
( A ) with 11 to 16, follow up 22 to 17,
16 to 23, 17 to 10, 7 to 14, 26 to 19,
8 to 11, 25 to 22. Even game.
10 to 14, 2 4 to 19.—With Blacks,
continue, 7 to 1 0 ( A ) , 22 to 18, 11 to
16, 26 to 22, 8 to 11, 28 to 24, 16 to
20, 22 to 17, 4 to 8, 30 to 26 to an
even game. With white side adopt same
line if Black plays 7 to 10 at ( A ) — I f
however he adopts 6 to 10, continue
27 to 24, 9 to 13, 22 to 18, 11 to 15,
18 to 11, 8 to 15, 23 to 18*, laying a
trap for Black. Now 15 to 22 is correct
draw more but 14 to 23 would lose
neatly by—14 to 23, 19 to 16, 12 to
19, 21 to 17, 13 to 22, 25 to 11, 7 to
16, 24 to 6, 1 to 10, 26 to 12 (a bril
liant stroke) white wins.
10 to 14, 2 4 to 20.—With Black side
continue 11 to 1 5 ( A ) , 22 to 18, 15 to
22, 25 to 1 8 ( B ) , 6 to 10 ,26 to 22, 8
to 11, 27 to 24, 3 to 8*, 24 to 19, 1
to 6. Now 30 to 25 is whites draw move,
— i f 28 to 24, continue, 11 to 15*, 18
to 11, 8 to 15, 22 to 17, 4 to 8, 17 to
13, 8 to 11, 29 to 25, 14 to 17 leaving
Black with a winning position.
With white side at ( B ) jump 26 to
10, 6 to 15, 25 to 22, 8 to 11, 30 to 26
to an even game. If at 3rd move of
Opening at note ( A ) Black varies 14
to 18, 22 to 15, 11 to 18, 23 to 14, 9
to 18, 21 to 17, 6 to 9, 17 to 13, 1 to
6, 25 to 22, gives white a strong game.
10 to 15 O P E N I N G ' S
10 to 15 21 to 17. — With Blacks
continue 11 to 1 6 ( A ) , 17 to 1 3 ( B ) , 16
to 20, 22 to 18, 15 to 22, 25 to 18, 8
to 11, 29 to 2 5 ( C ) , 9 to 14, 18 to 9,
5 to 14, 25 to 22, 14 to 17, 24 to 19,
4 to 8, 22 to 18, 11 to 16, 28 to 24,
draws.
With the white side at ( C ) vary. 24
to 19, 11 to 16, 29 to 25, 7 to 10, 25
to 21, 9 to 14, 18 to 9, 5 to 14, 26 to
22 to a good game.
If at ( A ) Black play 7 to 10 then
17 to 14 gives white a strong game.
If at ( B ) white vary 23 to 18 then
16 to 20 is Blacks correct reply.
10 to 15, 2 2 to 17.—With Black side
continue 11 to 16, 17 to 1 4 ( A ) 9 to
18, 23 to 14, 16 to 20, 26 to 23, 15 to
18, 25 to 22, 18 to 25, 29 to 22, 8 to 11
leaving a good Black attack. If at ( A )
23 to 18, 15 to 22, 25 to 18, then 9 to
14, 18 to 9, 6 to 22, 26 to 17 leads to
a strong Black game.
With the white side at note ( A )
vary 23 to 19, 16 to 23, 26 to 10, 6
to 15, 17 to 13, 9 to 14, 25 to 22, 12
to 16, 27 to 23, 8 to 12, 24 to 19, gives
a strong white line.
If with whites at 2nd move Black
plays 9 to 13 instead of 11 to 16 con­
tinue 23 to 19, 13 to 22, 19 to 10, 6
to 15, 26 to 17, to en even game.
10 to 15, 22 to 18. — With Blacks
continue 15 to 22, 25 to 18, 11 to 15,
18 to 11, 8 to 15, 29 to 2 5 ( A ) 9 to 14,
25 to 22, 14 to 18, 23 to 14, 15 to 19,
24 to 15, 6 to 10, leaves a draw posi­
tion.
At ( A ) with the white side vary with
26 to 22, 4 to 8, 24 to 19, 15 to 24, 28
to 19, 8 o 11, 22 to 18, 6 to 10, 29 to
25, leading to an even game.
If at 3rd move of opening Black play
9 to 13 instead of 11 to 15 continue
18 to 14, 11 to 15, 24 to 19, and if
again he plays 6 to 10, 24 to 19 is the
proper reply.
10 to 15, 2 3 to 18.—With the Black
side play 7 to 10, 27 to 2 3 ( A ) , 3 to 7,
24 to 20, 9 to 14, 18 to 9, 5 to 14, 22
to 1 8 ( C ) to a good game. If at ( A )
white plays 26 to 23, reply 10 to 14,
and secure a strong attack.
With whites 22 to 17 a t ( C ) is a good
variation. If Black plays 12 to 16 at
his second opening move 26 to 23 gives
white a strong attack. Again at his
second move if 9 to 13, then 24 to 20,
12 to 16, 21 to 17, 16 to 19, 17 to 14
is the regular follow up.
10 to 15, 23 to 19.—Continue with
Blacks 7 to 10, 22 to 17, 11 to 16, 26
to 23, 8 to 11 17 to 1 4 ( A ) draws. At
( A ) 31 to 26 loses for white by 9 to
14, 25 to 22, 6 to 9, 17 to 13, 3 to 8,
Black wins.
With the white side play 10 to 15,
23 to 19, 7 to 10, 26 to 23, 9 to 14,
22 to 18, to an equal position.
10 to 15, 2 4 to 19.—With the Black
side continue 15 to 24, 28 to 19, 6 to
1 0 ( A ) , 22 to 1 8 ( B ) 11 to 15 to an
even game.
 MAJOR TACTICS OF CHECKERS
If at ( B ) white plays 22 to 17 con­
tinue 9 to 14, 25 to 22, 11 to 15.
With the white side at ( A ) if Black
play 9 to 14 reply 22 to 18, and again
at ( A ) if 11 to 16, white plays 22 to
18 for a strong game.
10 to 15, 2 4 to 20.—With the Black
side continue 7 to 10, 28 to 2 4 ( A ) , 3
to 7, 23 to 19, 9 to 14, 26 to 23 lead­
ing to a good game. If at ( A ) white
plays 23 to 18, reply 3 to 7, 27 to 23,
9 to 13, 32 to 27, 5 to 9 giving an even
position. With the white side if Black
plays the usual line 10 to 15, 24 to 20,
15 to 19, 23 to 16, 12 to 19, continue
22 to 18, 9 to 14, 18 to 9, 5 to 14, 25
to 22, 11 to 15, 22 to 17, 6 to 10, 27
to 24 giving white a strong game.
11 to 15 O P E N I N G ' S
11 to 15, 21 to 17. — With Blacks
play 9 to 13, 25 to 21, 6 to 9 ( A ) , 23
to 1 8 ( B ) , 8 to 11, 27 to 23, 9 to 14.
If at ( B ) , white plays 30 to 25, con­
tinue 8 to 11, 17 to 14, 10 to 17, 21
to 14, 9 to 18, 23 to 14, 11 to 16, to
an even game. With the white side, if
Black vary at ( A ) with 8 to 11, con­
tinue, 30 to 25, 4 to 8, 24 to 19, 15 to
24, 28 to -9, 11 to 15, 17 to 14 to a
safe draw position. (The student will
note that in many of these two-move
openings the player adopts the same
formation with both sides.)
11 to 15, 2 2 to 17.—With Black, con­
tinue 9 to 1 4 ( A ) , 25 to 22, 15 to 1 9 ( B )
forming the "Double Corner Dyke"
opening. Or again at ( A ) , 15 to 19,
instead of 9 to 14 is a good move and
forces the regular " D y k e " game. With
the white side play the same line, and
if at ( B ) Black plays 8 to 11, instead
of 15 to 19, continue 8 to 11, 17 to 13,
11 to 16, 24 to 19, 15 to 24, 28 to 19,
4 to 8, 22 to 18, 8 to 11, 18 to 9, 5 to
14, 29 to 25, 16 to 20, 25 to 22, 11 to
16 to a safe draw position.
11 to 15, 2 2 to 18.—With Black con­
tinue, 15 to 22, 25 to 18, 12 to 16, 29
to 2 5 ( A ) , 9 to 13, 18 to 1 4 ( B ) , 10 to
17, 21 to 14, 16 to 20, 23 to 18* draws;
but 24 to 19 instead of 23 to 18 loses
by 6 to 10 and etc. running off the
white man on 14, which white cannot
piotect successively. At ( B ) if 25 to
22, Black continues 16 to 20, 24 to 19,
5 to 9, 28 to 24, 8 to 11 and gets a
strong game. With the white side at
( A ) , insead of 29 to 25, play. 18 to
14, 9 to 18, 23 to 14, 10 to 17, 21 to
14, 6 to 9, 26 to 23, 10 to 19, 23 to
14, 8 to 11, 29 to 25, 4 to 8, 25 to 21,
8 to 12, 27 to 23 leads to a sound
game.
11 to 15, 2 3 to 19.—With Black con­
tinue 8 to 11, 22 to 1 7 ( A ) , 3 to 8, 25
to 22, 11 to 16, 26 to 23, 7 to 11, 31
to 26, 9 to 14 and 29 to 25 is whites
draw. If (17 to 1 3 ) , then 6 to 9 wins
for Black. At note ( A ) , if 27 to 23
instead of 22 to 17, play 9 to 14 form­
ing the "Defiance pening". Continue
9 to 14, 22 to 18, 15 to 22, 25 to 9, 5
to 14, 29 to 25, 6 to 9, 25 to 22, 11 to
25
15, 24 to 20, 15 to 24, 28 to 19, 1 to 5
leading to an equal game. With the
white side play same as note ( A ) form­
ing Defiance as 22 to 17 would allow
Black the choice of several openings.
11 to 15, 2 4 to 19. — With Blacks
continue 15 to 24, 28 to 19, 9 to 1 4 ( A )
22 to 18, 7 to 11, 18 to 9, 5 to 14, 26 to
2 2 ( B ) , 11 to 15, 27 to 24, 8 to 11, to an
even game. If 25 to 22 at ( B ) reply, 11
to 15, 32 to 28, 15 to 24, 28 to 29, 8 to
11, 22 to 18, 1 to 5, gives Black a strong
attack. With white, should Black vary
at ( A ) with 8 to 11, continue 22 to
18, 11 to 16, 18 to 14, 9 to 18, 23 to
14, 16 to 23, 27 to 18, 10 to 17, 21
to 14, 12 to 16, 26 to 23, 4 to 8, 31
to 27, 8 to 12, 27 to 24, 6 to 9, 25 to
21, 16 to 20, 32 to 27 to a safe draw.
This is the regular Second Double
Corner defense.
11 to 15, 2 4 to 20.—With Black con­
tinue, 15 to 19, 23 to 16, 12 to 19,
forming the "Bristol" which also comes
up by ',11 to 16, 24 to 20, 16 to 19.
After the jumps, white plays 22 to 18,
and Black continues 10 to 1 4 ( A ) , —
18 to 15, 19 to 23, 26 to 19, 7 to 11,
15 to 10, 6 to 24, 28 to 19, giving
Black a safe game. With whites, if
Black varies at ( A ) with 9 to 14, 18
to 9, 5 to 14, continue 25 to 22, 10 to
15, 22 to 18, 14 to 23, 27 to 11, 8 to
15, 32 to 27 forming an even position.
11 to 16 O P E N I N G ' S
11 to 16, 21 to 17. — With Black,
continue 16 to 1 9 ( A ) , 24 to 15, 10 to
19, 23 to 16, 12 to 19, 17 to 14, 9 to
18, 22 to 15, 7 to 10, giving an equal
game. With whites, if Black varies at
( A ) by 16 to 20, continue—17 to 13,
8 to 11, 22 to 18, 9 to 14, 18 to 9, 5
to 14, to an even game.
11 to 16, 2 2 to 17. — With Blacks
continue 16 to 19, for a safe draw line;
the game forming a regular "Dyke"
formation which comes up also by 11
to 15, 22 to 17, 15 to 19. With whites,
if Black plays 9 to 14, instead of 16
to 19 at 2nd move, continue, 24 to 19,
8 to 11, 25 to 22, 16 to 20, 17 to 13,
11 to 15, 22 to 17, 15 to 24, 28 to 19,
forming a strong white attack.
11 to 16, 2 2 to 18.—With Black con­
tinue 8 to 11, 25 to 2 2 ( A ) , 16 to 20, 29
to 25. With the white side at ( A ) play
18 to 14, 9 to 18, 23 to 14, 10 to 17,
21 to 14, 4 to 8, 24 to 19 forming the
trunk line of the "Paisley" opening.
11 to 16, 2 3 to 18.—With Black, 10
to 15, 18 to 11, 8 to 15, forms a good
line, altho not often played. With the
white side play 11 to 16, 23 to 18, 16
to 20, 24 to 19, 10 to 1 4 ( A ) , 26 to
23, 8 to 11, 22 to 17, 7 to 10, 30 to 26,
11 to 16, 26 to 22, 9 to 13, 18 to 9,
5 to 14, 22 to 18, giving a safe posi­
tion. Note! at ( A ) (8 to 11) would
give white, "Canalejas" stroke; white
winning by 19 to 15, 10 to 19, 18 to 14
and etc.
11 to 16, 23 to 19.—Continue 16 to
23, 26 to 19 (the best jump) then 8
I
26 MAJOR TACTICS OF CHECKERS
to 11, 27 to 2 3 ( A ) , 9 to 14, 22 to 18,
4 to 8 leads to a draw. Black has all
the best of this opening which is weak
for whites. If at ( A ) white vary 19
to 15, 11 to 18, 22 to 15, 10 to 19, 24
to 15, 4 to 8, 25 to 22, 12 to 16, gives
Black a strong grip.
11 to 16, 2 4 to 19. — With Blacks,
play 8 to 11, 22 to 18, 10 to 15, 19
to 10, 6 to 22, (a good sound line).
With white, play 11 to 16, 24 to 19,
8 to 11, 22 to 18, 10 to 14, 25 to 22,
7 to 10, 30 to 25, 3 to 7, 28 to 24, 16
to 20, 22 o 17*, forming another good
line not so often played.
11 to 16, 2 4 to 20.—Play 16 to 19
forming the "Bristol." (See the 11 to
15, 24 to 20 opening.)
12 to 16 O P E N I N G ' S
12 to 16, 21 to 17. — With Black,
continue 16 to 19, 23 to 16, 11 to 20,
25 to 21, 9 to 13. With white play 12
to 16, 21 to 17, 16 to 2 0 ( A ) , 17.to 13,
11 to 15, 23 to 18 to an even game.
If 9 to 13, at ( A ) play 25 to 21, 16 to
19, 23 to 16, 11 to 20, 17 to 14 leading
to a draw position.
12 to 16, 2 2 to 17. — With Blacks,
play 16 to 19 at next move. With White
side, if Black plays 8 to 12, instead of
16 to 19, then 17 to 14, 10 to 17, 21
to 14, 9 to 18, 23 to 14, is a safe line
to adopt.
12 to 16, 2 2 to 18. — With Blacks
play 16 to 19. With Whites, 12 to 16,
22 to 18, 8 to 12, 24 to 19, 10 to 14,
26 to 22, 16 to 20, 22 to 17, forming
the "Paisley", a good defense.
12 to 16, 23 to 18.—With Black side
continue 16 to 20, 24 to 1 9 ( A ) , now
9 to 14 or 11 to 15 draws for Black,
but 8 to 12 again forms the Canalejas
stroke loss, viz, 8 to 12, 19 to 15, 10
to 19, 18 to 14, etc. White wins. With
Whites at ( A , ) vary 26 to 23, 8 to 12,
22 to 17, which gives White a good
game altho a trifle unusual.
12 to 16, 2 3 to 19.—Another weak
opening for white. The most tenable
continuation is 16 to 23, 27 to 18, 11
to 16, 22 to 17, and etc.
12 to 16, 2 4 to 19.—Continue 16 to
20, 22 to 1 8 ( A ) , 11 to 15, 18 to 11,
8 to 24. With White at ( A ) , 28 to 24
is a good line, thus, 28 to 24, 10 to 14,
22 to 17, 7 to 10, 32 to 28, draws.
(Black must be careful and not play
9 to 13, next move, for 19 to 16 would
give White a winning shot, 9 to 13,
19 to 16, 13 to 22, 16 to 7, 2 to 11,
25 to 2 White wins.
12 to 16, 2 4 to 2 0 . — With Blacks
continue 8 to 12, 28 to 2 4 ( A ) , 3 to 8,
23 to 1 8 ( B ) , 16 to 19, 24 to 15, 10 to
19, 18 to 15, gives a safe position. If
at ( A ) White play 22 to 18, instead of
28 to 24, Blacks reply is 3 to 8 also.
With White, you can vary at ( B ) with
22 to 17, 16 to 19, 24 to 15, 10 to 19,
23 to 16, 12 to 19, 25 to 22, leading
to a strong game.
PART 5
Review of Games
Having explained at lenght the es­
sential principles of scientific checkers,
both in the "Go as You Please," and
"Two Move Restriction" styles of play,
I feel that my readers might enjoy re­
viewing some of my games against the
leading players.
As is the rule when experts meet,
many games result in draws, both con­
testants attacking and defending their
positions without error or oversight.
However where the play leaves the
beaten track, which happens quite often,
one player or the other may gain a
victory. Games of this kind furnish con­
siderable points of interest and extend
a worth while exercise in crossboard
study.
I have selected these games from
many played over a period of years
and they illustrate exactly how the
foremost exponents of checkers win
and lose their games.
"Annotations A, B, and C", which
will be met with frequently, designate
the critical points of each game, also
the asterisk*, denoting a star move.
GAME ONE
Black, A. Jordan. White, Hopper.
I I to 15, 23 to 18, 8 to 11, 27 to 23,
4 to 8, 32 to 2 7 ( A ) , 15 to 19, 24 to 15,
10 to 19, 23 to 16, 12 to 19, 18 to 15,
I I to 18, 22 to 15, 7 to 11, 26 to 22, 11
to 18, 22 to 15, 9 to 14, 30 to 26, 2
to 7, 25 to 22, 5 to 9, 22 to 17, 7 to 10,
17 to 13, 14 to 18, 29 to 25, 18 to 23,
27 to 18, 10 to 14, 26 to 22, 14 to 23,
22 to 18, 3 to 7, 25 to 22, 7 to 1 1 ( B ) ,
22 to 17, 11 to 16, 17 to 14, 16 to 20,
14 to 5, White wins.
Note ( A ) A good line to throw tha ,
expert off his guard.
( B ) If 23 to 26 here, then 22 to 17,
26 to 30, 31 to 26.
GAME T W O
Black, Hopper. White, A. Jordan
12 to 16, 21 to 17, 16 to 19, 24 to
15„ 10 to 19, 23 to 16, 11 to 20, 25
to 21, 9 to 1 4 ( A ) , 17 to 10, 6 to 15,
22 to 17, 5 to 9, 26 to 23, 9 to 14, 17
to 10, 7 to 14, 23 to 19, 15 to 24, 28
to 19, 8 to 11, 29 to 25, 4 to 8, 25 to
22, 2 to 7, 27 to 23, 7 to 10, 22 to 18,
1 to 5, 18 to 9, 5 to 14, 30 to 26, 11
to 15, 32 to 28, 15 to 24, 28 to 19, 8
to 11, 19 to 16, 20 to 24, 16 to 7, 14
to 18, 23 to 14, 10 to 17 21 to 14.
DRAWN.
(A) Running the game on new
ground.
GAME THREE
Black, Jordan. White, Hopper
12 to 16, 21 to 17, 9 to 13, 24 to 20,
11 to 15, 20 to 11, 7 to 16, 25 to 21,
5 to 9, 23 to 18, 16 to 20, 18 to 11, 8
to 15, 27 to 2 3 ( A ) , 9 to 14, 23 to 19,
15 to 24, 28 to 19, 4 to 8, 26 to 23,
8 to 11, 19 to 16, 6 to 9, 16 to 7, 2 to
11, 23 to 19, 20 to 24, 32 to 28, 11 to
 MAJOR TACTICS OF CHECKERS
15, 30 to 26, 3 to 8 ( B ) 19 to 16, 14
to 18, 28 to 19, 18 to 25, 29 to 22, 15
to 24, 16 to 12, 8 to 11, 12 to 8.
DRAWN.
Note ( A ) Again an irregular line,
(B) Alf. Took a full six minutes study
at this stage.
GAME FOUR
Black, Jordan. White, Hopper.
11 to 15, 23 to 19, 8 to 11, 22 to 17,
4 to 8, 17 to 13, 15 to 18, 24 to 20, 11
to 15, 28 to 24, 8 to 11, 26 to 23, 9
td 14, 31 to 26, 6 to 9, 13 to 6, 2 to 9,
26 to 22, 1 to 6 ( A ) , 32 to 28, 3 to 8,
30 to 26, 9 to 13, 19 to 16, 12 to 19,
23 to 16, 13 to 1 7 ( B ) , 22 to 13, 8 -to
12, 25 to 2 2 ( C ) , 12 to 19, 22 to 17,
5 to 9, 26 to 22, 18 to 25, 29 to 22, 14
to 18, 27 to 23, 19 to 26, 17 to 14,
18 to 25, 14 to 5, 10 to 14, 5 to 1, 6 to
10, 1 to 6, 14 to 17, 21 to 14, 10 to 17,
6 to 2, 17 to 21, 24 to 19, 15 to 24,
28 to 19, 26 to 31, 19 to 16, 31 to 26,
16 to 12, 26 to 22, 12 to 8, 22 to 17,
8 to 3, 7 to 10, 2 to 6, 11 to 15, 6 to 9,
15 to 19. BLACK WINS.
( A ) 9 to 13 here loses by shot, 20
to 16, 11 to 20, 22 to 17, 13 to 22, 21
to 17.
(B) 8 to 12 loses here by 24 to 19.
(C) Weak, 24 to 19 is proper play
for draw.
GAME FIVE
Black, J. Bradford. White, Hopper.
9 to 13, 24 to 19, 11 to 15, 22 to 18,
15 to 22, 25 to 18, 8 to 11, 26 to 22,
11 to 16, 29 to 25, 4 to 8, 31 to 26, 5
to 9, 18 to 14, 9 to 18, 22 to 15, 10 to
14, 28 to 24, 16 to 20, 15 to 10, 6 to
15, 19 to 10, 8 to 11, 25 to 22, 11 to
15, 23 to 18, 14 to 23, 26 to 19, 7 to 14,
19 to 10, 2 to 6, 30 to 26, 6 to 15, 26
to 23, 13 to 17, 22 to 13, 15 to 18, 21
to 17, 14 to 21, 23 to 14, 21 to 25, 14
to 10, 25 to 30, 13 to 9, 30 to 26, 9
to 6, 26 to 22, 6 to 2, 22 to 18, 2 to 7,
18 to 22, 7 to 11, 12 to 16, 11 to 7, 1
to 6, 10 to 1, 3 to 10, 1 to 6, 10 to 15,
6 to 10, 15 to 18, 24 to 19, 16 to 23,
10 to 15, 20 to 24. DRAWN.
G A M E SIX
Black, Hopper. White, L. Ginsberg.
11 to 15, 22 to 18, 15 to 22, 25 to
18, 12 to 16, 29 to 25, 9 to 13, 25 to
22, 16 to 20, 24 to 19, 5 to 9, 28 to 24,
8 to 11, 19 to 1 6 ( A ) , 4 to 8, 16 to 12,
11 to 16, 24 to 19, 8 to 11, 19 to 15,
10 to 19, 30 to 25, 20 to 24, 27 to 20,
19 to 24, 32 to 27, 6 to 10, 18 to 14,
10 to 17, 21 to 5, 24 to 28, 23 to 18,
3 to 8, 12 to 3, 28 to 32, 3 to 10, 32
to 7, 26 to 23, 11 to 15, 20 to 11, 7 to
16, 25 to 21 15 to 19, 22 to 18, 19 to
26, 31 to 22, 16 to 19, 18 to 14, 19 to
15, 14 to 9, 15 to 10, 22 to 18, 2 to 7,
9 to 6, 13 to 17, 21 to 14, 10 to 17,
6 to 2, 17 to 22. BLACK WINS.
( A ) Varies from Lawson Game.
27
GAME SEVEN
Black, L. Ginsberg. White, Hopper.
11 to 16, 24 to 19, 9 to 14, 22 to 18,
5 to 9, 26 to 22, 8 to 11, 22 to 17 16
to 20, 17 to 13, 1 to 5, 31 to 26, 3 to 8,
28 to 24, 11 to 15, 18 to 11, 8 to 15,
25 to 2 2 ( A ) , 7 to 11, 22 to 17, 11 to
16, 26 to 22, 15 to 18, 22 to 15, 4 to 8,
30 to 25, 2 to 7, 15 to 11, 8 to 15, 25
to 22, 15 to 18, 22 to 15, 14 to 18, 23
to 14, 16 to 23, 27 to 18, 20 to 27.
BLACK WINS.
( A ) 26 to 22 Looks better at this
stage.
GAME EIGHT
Black, Hopper. White, L. Ginsberg.
11 to 16, 22 to 17, 9 to 14, 25 to 22,
16 to 19, 24 to 15, 10 to 19, 23 to 16,
12 to 19, 17 to 10, 6 to 15, 22 to 17,
5 to 9, 17 to 13, 2 to 6, 29 to 25, 7 to
70, 25 to 22, 8 to 12, 22 to 17, 9 to 14,
27 to 24, 4 to 8, 32 to 27, 3 to 7, 26 to
23, 19 to 26, 30 to 23, 7 to 11, 24 to 19,
15 to 24, 27 to 20, 11 to 15, 31 to 27,
8 to 11, 27 to 24, 1 to 5, 24 to 19, 15
to 24, 28 to 19, 5 to 9. BLACK WINS.
GAME NINE
Black Hopper. White, H. Lieberman.
12 to 16, 21 to 17, 16 to 20, 17 to
13, 11 to 15, 22 to 18, 15 to 22, 25 to
18, 9 to 14, 18 to 9, 5 to 14, 29 to 25,
8 to 12, 24 to 19, 4 to 8, 25 to 22, 8
to 11, 22 to 18, 14 to 17, 19 to 15, 10
to 19, 23 to 16, 12 to 19, 27 to 24, 20
to 27, 31 to 8, 3 to 12, 28 to 24, 7 to
11, 24 to 20, 1 to 5, 32 to 27, 11 to 16,
20 to 11, 2 to 7, 11 to 2, 12 to 16, 2 to
9, 5 to 32, 26 to 22. Drawn.
GAME TEN
Black, Lieberman. White, Hopper.
12 to 16, 21 to 17, 9 to 13, 24 to 20,
11 to 15, 20 to 11, 7 to 16, 25 to 21,
5 to 9, 23 to 18, 16 to 20, 18 to 11,
8 to 15, 26 to 23, 4 to 8, 23 to 18, 8
to 11, 30 to 26, 1 to 5, 26 to 23, 3 to 8,
23 to 1 9 ( A ) , 15 to 24, 28 to 19, 8 to
12, 32 to 28, 11 to 16, 19 to 15, 10
to 19, 27 to 24, 20 to 27, 31 to 15,
16 to 19, 17 to 14, 19 to 23, 14 to 10,
23 to 26, 10 to 1. White Wins.
At note ( A ) the book gives 28 to 24,
9 to 14, here.
GAME ELEVEN
Black, Hopper. White, Lieberman.
10 to 15, 24 to 20, 15 to 19, 23 to
16, 12 to 19, 27 to 24, 7 to 10, 24 to
15, 10 to 19, 21 to 17, 11 to 15, 32
to 27, 9 to 1 4 ( A ) , 17 to 10, 19 to 24,
28 to 19, 15 to 24, 20 to 16, 6 to 15,
27 to 20, 8 to 12, 16 to 11, 3 to 8, 11
to 7, 2 to 11, 26 to 23, 5 to 9, 22 to 17,
1 to 5, 17 to 13, 9 to 14, 13 to 9, 15
to 18, 9 to 6, 18 to 27, 31 to 24, 12 to
16, 30 to 26, 14 to 18, 6 to 2, 5 to 9.
White Wins.
At note ( A ) . — T h i s loses, 6 to 10,
is best.
28 MAJOR TACTICS OF CHECKERS
GAME TWELVE
Black, Driscoll. White, Hopper.
11 to 15, 24 to 20, 8 to 11, 28 to 24,
4 to 8, 23 to 19, 15 to 18, 22 to 15,
11 to 18, 26 to 22, 10 to 15, 19 to 10,
6 to 15, 21 to 17, 9 to 13, 17 to 14,
7 to 11, 14 to 10*, 12 to 16, 24 to 19*,
16 to 23, 10 to 7*, 3 to 10, 20 to 16,
11 to 20, 25 to 21, 18 to 25, 27 to 4.
White Wins.
GAME THIRTEEN
Black, Watehouse. White, Hopper.
9 to 14, 22 to 18, 5 to 9, 18 to 15,
11 to 18, 21 to 17, 14 to 21, 23 to 5,
12 to 16, 25 to 22, 16 to 20, 29 to 25,
8 to 11, 22 to 18, 4 to 8, 18 to 14*,
10 to 17, 25 to 22, 11 to 15, 22 to 13,
8 to 11, 24 to 19*, 15 to 24, 28 to 19,
7 to 10, 19 to 16, 2 to 7, 26 to 22*,
10 to 15, 22 to 17, 15 to 19, 17 to 14,
6 to 10, 14 to 9, 10 to 15, 9 to 6, 1 to
10, 6 to 1, 19 to 23, 27 to 18, 15 to
22, 13 to 9, 22 to 25, 9 to 6, 25 to 29,
6 to 2, 29 to 25, 1 to 6, 10 to 15, 31
to 26, 15 to 19, 6 to 9, 19 to 24, 9 to
14, 24 to 28, 14 to 18, 20 to 24, 26 to
22, 11 to 20, 2 to 11, 24 to 27, 32 to
23, 28 to 32, 23 to 19, 25 to 29, 22 to
17, 29 to 25, 11 to 15, 3 to 8, 17 to 14,
8 to 12, 14 to 10, 20 to 24, 10 to 7,
32 to 27, 7 to 2, 27 to 31, 2 to 7.
Drawn.
GAME FOURTEEN
Black, Hopper. White, Waterhouse.
11 to 15, 23 to 19, 8 to 11, 22 to 17,
3 to 8, 25 to 22, 9 to 14, 26 to 23,
5 to 9, 17 to 13, 11 to 16, 22 to 17,
1 to 5, 29 to 25, 7 to 11, 24 to 20, 15
to 24, 28 to 19, 14 to 18, 23 to 7, 16
to 23, 27 to 18, 11 to 16, 20 to 11,
8 to 29 7 to 2, 29 to 25, 30 to 26, 25
to 22, 32 to 28, 22 to 2 5 ( A ) , 28 to 24,
25 to 30, 26 to 23, 30 to 25, 24 to 19,
25 to 22, 19 to 15, 12 to 16, 23 to 18,
6 to 10, 15 to 6, 22 to 15, 6 to 1, 15
to 18. Draw.
At ( A ) 12 to 16, may win for Black.
GAME FIFTEEN
Black, Waterhouse. White, Hopper.
11 to 15, 23 to 18, 8 to 11, 27 to 23,
4 to 8, 32 to 27, 15 to 19, 23 to 16,
12 to 19, 24 to 15, 10 to 19, 18 to 15,
11 to 18, 22 to 15, 7 to 11, 26 to 22,
11 to 18, 22 to 15, 9 to 14, 30 to 26,
2 to 7, 25 to 22, 5 to 9, 22 to 17, 7 to
10, 17 to 13, 14 to 18, 29 to 25, 10
to 14, 26 to 22, 18 to 23, 27 to 18,
14 to 23, 22 to 18, 3 to 7, 25 to 22, 23
to 26, 22 to 17, 26 to 30, 31 to 26, 30
to 14, 17 to 3, 8 to 12, 3 to 7, 19 to
23, 7 to 1 1 ( A ) , 23 to 27, 15 to 10, 6 to
15, 13 to 6, 1 to 10, 11 to 18, 27 to
32, 21 to 17, 32 to 27, 17 to 13, 12 to
16, 13 to 9, 10 to 14, 18 to 22, 27 to
23*, 9 to 6, 23 to 19, 6 to 2, 19 to 15.
Drawn.
A t note ( A ) 7 to 2, would win for
white at this stage.
GAME SIXTEEN
Black, Hopper. White, M. Hammer.
11 to 16, 24 to 20, 16 to 19, 23 to
16, 12 to 19, 22 to 18, 10 to 14, 27 to
23, 8 to 12, 23 to 16, 12 to 19, 18 to
15, 4 to 8, 25 to 22, 14 to 18, 29 to 25,
9 to 13, 20 to 16, 5 to 9, 31 to 27, 9
to 14, 27 to 24, 18 to 23, 16 to 11, 7
to 16, 24 to 20, 8 to 12, 20 to 11, 1 to
5, 28 to 24, 19 to 28, 26 to 19, 14 to
18, 11 to 8, 18 to 23, 8 to 4, 2 to 7, 4
to 8, 23 to 27, 32 to 23, 28 to 32, 15
to 11, 7 to 16, 8 to 11, 16 to 20, 23
to 18, 3 to 7. Black wins.
GAME SEVENTEEN
Black, Hammer. White, Hopper.
11 to 16, 24 to 20, 16 to 19, 23 to 16,
12 to 19, 22 to 18, 9 to 14, 18 to 9,
5 to 14, 25 to 22, 8 to 11, 22 to 17, 4
to 8, 27 to 24, 14 to 18, 24 to 15, 10
to 19, 17 to 14, 11 to 15, 21 to 17, 8
to 11, 29 to 25, 6 to 10, 25 to 21, 2 to 6,
17 to 13, 10 to 17, 21 to 14, 1 to 5, 32
to 27, 3 to 8, 27 to 2 4 ( A ) , 18 to 23,
26 to 22, 23 to 27, 30 to 25, 27 to 32,
25 to 21, 32 to 27, 22 to 18. Drawn.
At ( A ) 27 to 23 would win for
white.
GAME EIGHTEEN
Black, Hopper. White, F. Dalumi.
11 to 15, 22 to 17, 8 to 11, 23 to 19,
11 to 16, 24 to 20, 16 to 23, 27 to 11,
7 to 16, 20 to 11, 3 to 7, 28 to 24, 7
to 16, 24 to 20, 16 to 19, 25 to 22, 4
to 8, 29 to 25, 19 to 24, 17 to 14, 9 to
18, 22 to 15, 10 to 19, 32 to 28, 6 to
10, 25 to 22, 5 to 9, 22 to 18, 9 to 14,
18 to 9, 1 to 5, 9 to 6, 2 to 9, 20 to 16,
9 to 14, 26 to 23, 19 to 26, 28 to 19,
5 to 9, 31 to 22, 9 to 13, 21 to 17, 14
to 21, 22 to 18, 10 to 14, 18 to 9, 13
to 17, 9 to 6, 17 to 22, 6 to 2, 22 to 25,
2 to 6, 25 to 29, 6 to 10, 29 to 25, 10
to 15, 25 to 22, 30 to 26, 22 to 31, 16
to 11. Drawn. A game that illustrates
the need of sacrificing a man when
necessary for position.
GAME NINETEEN
Black, Dalumi. White, Hopper.
9 to 13, 22 to 18, 6 to 9, 25 to 22,
11 to 1 6 ( A ) , 29 to 25, 16 to 20, 24 to
19, 10 to 14, 19 to 15, 7 to 11, 15 to
10, 12 to 16, 28 to 24, 8 to 12, 24 to
19, 2 to 6, 19 to 15, 13 to 17, 22 to 13.
White wins.
At note ( A ) this move 11 to 16 is
weak; the proper play is either 11 to
15 or 1 to 6.
GAME TWENTY
Black, Dalumi. White, Hopper.
12 to 16, 24 to 20, 8 to 12, 28 to 24,
3 to 8, 24 to 19, 11 to 15, 20 to 11, 15
to 24, 27 to 20, 7 to 16, 20 to 11, 8
to 15, 22 to 18, 15 to 22, 25 to 18, 12
to 16, 29 to 25. 4 to 8, 31 to 27, 8 to
12, 18 to 14, 10 to 17, 21 to 14, 9 to
18, 23 to 14, 2 to 7, 25 to 22, 6 to 10,
 MAJOR TACTICS OF CHECKERS
30 to 25, 10 to 17, 22 to 13, 7 to 10,
32 to 28, 10 to 15, 25 to 22, 16 to 20,
22 to 17, 1 to 6, 17 to 14, 15 to 18,
26 to 23, 12 to 16, 28 to 24, 18 to 22,
24 to 1 9 ( A ) , 22 to 26, 19 to 12, 26
to 31, 12 to 8, 31 to 24. Drawn.
At ( A ) 23 to 18 is best and draws
easily.
GAME TWENTY ONE
Black, G. Kearns. White, Hopper.
9 to 13, 23 to 18, 12 to 16, 24 to 20,
16 to 19, 18 to 15, 11 to 18, 22 to 15,
7 to 1 1 ( A ) , 26 to 22, 11 to 18, 22 to
15, 5 to 9, 30 to 26, 9 to 14, 20 to 16,
2 to 7 ( B ) , 28 to 24, 19 to 28, 26 to 22,
10 to 19, 22 to 17, 13 to 22, 25 to 2,
1 to 5, 2 to 11, 8 to 15, 21 to 17, 4 to 8;
16 to 11, 8 to 12, 11 to 8, 12 to 16,
8 to 4, 5 to 9, 17 to 13, 9 to 14, 13 to 9,
White wins.
( A ) 5 to 9 is best here.
(B) An oversight of Kearns part 8
to 12 is best and gives a good position.
GAME TWENTY T W O
White, Nelson. Black, Hopper.
11 to 15, 23 to 19, 8 to 11, 22 to 17,
3 to 8, 17 to 13, 11 to 16, 25 to 2 2 ( A ) ,
16 to 23, 26 to 19, 7 to 11, 22 to 17,
9 to 14, 29 to 2 5 ( B ) , 14 to 18, 27 to
2 3 ( C ) , 18 to 27, 32 to 23, 11 to 16,
17 to 14, 10 to 17, 19 to 10, 6 to 15,
21 to 14, 15 to 18, 31 to 27, 2 to 7,
13 to 9, 16 to 20, 30 to 26, 18 to 22,
25 to 18, 1 to 6, 9 to 2, 12 to 16, 2 to
11, 8 to 31, 14 to 10, 4 to 8, 10 to 7,
8 to 12, 7 to 3, 5 to 9, 3 to 7, 9 to 14,
7 to 10, 14 to 17, 10 to 14, 17 to 22,
14 to 17, 22 to 25, 17 to 22, 25 to 30,
22 to 17, 30 to 26, 23 to 18, 26 to 22.
Black wins.
(A) 27 to 23 is better here. ( B )
weak. ( C ) If 24 to 20, 15 to 24, 28
to 19, 18 to 23, 27 to 18, 10 to 15
wins.
GAME TWENTY THREE
Black, Hopper. White, Nelson.
11 to 16, 21 to 17, 9 to 14, 25 to 21,
16 to 19, 23 to 16, 12 to 19, 24 to 15,
10 to 19, 17 to 10, 6 to 15, 27 to 24,
2 to 6, 21 to 17, 5 to 9, 17 to 13, 7 to
10, 29 to 25, 8 to 12, 25 to 21, 3 to 7,
22 to 17, 9 to 14, 32 to 27, 4 to 8, 24
to 20, 19 to 24, 28 to 19, 15 to 24, 20
to 16, 12 to 19, 27 to 20, 19 to 24, 26
to 23, 7 to 11, 30 to 26, 8 to 12, 20 to
16* neat 11 to 20, 26 to 22, 24 to 27,
31 to 24, 20 to 27, 22 to 18, 6 to 9,
13 to 6, 1 to 5, 18 to 9, 5 to 14, 6 to 2,
27 to 3 1 ( A ) , 23 to 19, 31 to 27, 2 to 6.
White wins.
At ( A ) 12 to 16 is best and draws.
GAME TWENTY FOUR
Black, Hopper. White, H. Mac Kean.
10 to 15, 22 to 17, 11 to 16, 23 to
18, 15 to 22, 25 to 18, 9 to 14, 17 to
10, 6 to 22, 26 to 17, 8 to 11, 27 to 23,
11 to 15, 24 to 19, 15 to 24, 28 to 19,
5 to 9, 29 to 25, 4 to 8, 25 to 22, 9 to
29
13, 17 to 14, 16 to 20, 23 to 18, 8 to
11, 19 to 15, 11 to 16, 15 to 11, 20 to
24, 11 to 8, 16 to 20, 30 to 26, 12 to
16, 8 to 4, 16 to 19, 32 to 28, 19 to 23,
26 to 19, 24 to 27, 31 to 24, 20 to 27,
19 to 15, 27 to 31, 15 to 10, 7 to 11,
4 to 8, 3 to 12, 10 to 7, 31 to 27, 7 to
3, 27 to 23, 28 to 24, 11 to 16, 24 to
20, 23 to 26, 20 to 11, 26 to 10, 18 to
14, 10 to 17, 21 to 14, 13 to 17. Black
wins.
GAME TWENTY FIVE
Black, Hopper. White, J. Hanson.
10 to 15, 22 to 18, 15 to 22, 20 to 18,
11 to 15, 18 to 11, 8 to 15, 21 to 17,
6 to 10, 17 to 13, 1 to 6, 29 to 25, 4
to 8, 24 to 20, 9 to 14, 25 to 22, 8 to
11, 28 to 24, 14 to 18, 23 to 14, 10 to
17, 27 to 23, 7 to 10, 32 to 2 8 ( A ) , 5
to 9, 23 to 19, 9 to 14, 31 to 27, 3 to
8, 19 to 16, 12 to 19, 27 to 23, 8 to 12,
23 to 7, 2 to 11, 24 to 19, 15 to 24,
28 to 19, 11 to 15. Black wins.
At note ( A ) 23 to 18 is best play.
GAME TWENTY SIX
Black, J. Hanson. White, Hopper.
10 to 15, 22 to 18, 15 to 22, 25 to
18, 9 to 13, 29 to 25, 11 to 15 18 to
11, 8 to 15, 25 to 22, 4 to 8, 24 to
1 9 ( A ) , 15 to 24, 28 to 19, 8 to 11, 22
to 18, 6 to 10, 27 to 24, 2 to 6, 26 to
22, 5 to 9, 24 to 20, 10 to 15, 19 to 10,
6 to 15, 32 to 2 8 ( B ) , 7 to 10, 31 to 27,
1 to 5, 27 to 24, 9 to 14, 18 to 9, 5 to
14, 30 to 25, 12 to 16*, 24 to 19, 15
to 24, 28 to 12, 10 to 15. Black wins.
( A ) — 2 3 to 18 is stronger here. ( B )
21 to 17 is best here, as follows, 21 to
17, 7 to 10, 31 to 27, 1 to 5, 27 to 24,
9 to 14, 18 to 9, 5 to 21, 23 to 19, 12
to 16, 19 to 12, 10 to 14, 32 to 28, 3
to 7, 30 to 26* Note (24 to 19 here
loses) continue after 30 to 26, 21 to
25, 26 to 23 drawn.
GAME TWENTY SEVEN
Black Hopper. White, C. Lawson.
11 to 15, 22 to 18, 15 to 22 25 to 18,
12 to 16, 29 to 25, 9 to 13, 25 to 22,
16 to 20, 24 to 19, 5 to 9, 28 to 24,
8 to 11, 32 to 28, 4 to 8, 30 to 25, 1
to 5, 18 to 14, 9 to 18, 23 to 14, 10 to
17, 21 to 14, 6 to 10, 25 to 21, 10 to 17,
21 to 4, 2 to 6, 19 to 16, 6 to 10*, 22
to 17, 13 to 22, 26 to 17, 11 to 15, 24
to 19, 15 to 24, 28 to 19, 8 to 11, 16
to 12, 11 to 16, 27 to 23, 20 to 24, 31
to 26, 24 to 27, 26 to 22, 27 to 31,
22 to 18, 31 to 27, 17 to 13. Black wins.
GAME TWENTY EIGHT
Black, Lawson. White, Hopper.
11 to 16, 22 to 18, 10 to 14, 24 to
19, 7 to 10, 26 to 22, 8 to 11, 28 to 24,
16 to 20, 30 to 26, 3 to 7, 22 to 17, 11
to 15, 18 to 11, 7 to 16, 26 to 22, 9
to 13, 22 to 18, 13 to 22, 18 to 9, 6 to
13, 25 to 18, 10 to 14, 18 to 9, 5 to 14,
29 to 25, 1 to 5, 25 to 22, 4 to 8, 19
to 1 5 ( A ) , 16 to 19, 23 to 16, 12 to 28,
15 to 10, 8 to 11, 31 to 26. Drawn.
( A ) Best move to draw.
30 MAJOR TACTICS OP CHECKERS
GAME TWENTY NINE
Black, S. Gonotsky. White, Hopper.
11 to 15, 22 to 17, 15 to 19, 24 to 15,
10 to 19, 23 to 16, 12 to 19, 25 to 22,
8 to 11, 27 to 23, 11 to 16, 31 to 27,
4 to 8, 29 to 25, 8 to 12, 17 to 13, 9
to 14, 22 to 18, 6 to 10, 18 to 9, 5 to
14, 25 to 22, 10 to 15, 20 to 24, 16 to
20, 23 to 16, 12 to 19, 27 to 23, 1 to 6,
23 to 16, 6 to 13, 16 to 12, 7 to 10,
32 to 27, 2 to 7, 30 to 25, 15 to 19, 27
to 23, 10 to 15*, 23 to 16, 15 to 19.
Black wins.
GAME THIRTY
Black, Hopper. White, Gonotsky.
11 to 15, 22 to 18, 15 to 22, 25 to
18, 12 to 16, 29 to 25, 9 to 13, 18 to
14, 10 to 17, 21 to 14, 16 to 20, 23 to
18, 6 to 10, 25 to 21, 10 to 17, 21 to
14, 2 to 6, 26 to 23, 13 to 17, 31 to 26,
8 to 1 1 ( A ) , 24 to 19, 6 to 9, 19 to 15,
4 to 8, 23 to 19, 17 to 22, 26 to 17, 9
to 13, 15 to 10, 13 to 22, 19 to 15, 22
to 26*, 30 to 23, 11 to 16*, 28 to
2 4 ( B ) , 16 to 19, 23 to 16, 5 to 9, 14
to 5, 7 to 23, 27 to 18, 20 to 27, 32 to
23, 8 to 11, 16 to 7, 3 to 26. Black
wins.
( A ) 7 to 11 here followed by 23 to
19 is the regular book line of play. ( B )
Has white anything better?
GAME THIRTY ONE
Black, Husband. White, Hopper.
9 to 14, 22 to 17, 11 to 16, 17 to 13,
8 to 11, 25 to 22, 11 to 15, 24 to 19,
15 to 24, 28 to 19, 4 to 8, 22 to 18, 8
to 11, 18 to 9, 5 to 14, 29 to 25, 16 to
20, 25 to 22, 11 to 15, 32 to 28, 15 to
24, 28 to 19, 10 to 15, 19 to 10, 6 to
15, 22 to 18, 15 to 22, 26 to 10, 7 to
14, 30 to 25, 3 to 7, 25 to 22, 7 to 10,
22 to 18, 1 to 5, 18 to 9, 5 to 14, 23
to 16*, 2 to 7, 13 to 9, 7 to 11, 9 to 6,
11 to 15, 27 to 24. White wins.
GAME THIRTY T W O
Black, Hopper. White, J. Mc Entee
11 to 15, 21 to 17, 9 to 13, 25 to 21,
5 to 9, 23 to 18, 12 to 16, 18 to 11,
8 to 15, 24 to 20, 9 to 1 4 ( A ) , 20 to 11,
7 to 16, 26 to 23, 15 to 18, 22 to 15,
13 to 22, 23 to 19, 16 to 23, 27 to 9,
10 to 19, 9 to 5, 19 to 23, 31 to 27,
23 to 26, 30 to 23, 22 to 26, 29 to 25,
26 to 30, 28 to 24, 6 to 9, 24 to 20, 9
to 13, 25 to 22, 4 to 8. Black wins.
At ( A ) — 7 to 11 or 16 to 19 is regular
line of play.
GAME THIRTY THREE
Black J. Murray. White, Hopper.
11 to 16, 23 to 18, 16 to 20, 24 to 19,
7 to 1 1 ( A ) , 26 to 23, 10 to 14, 22 to
17, 6 to 10, 17 to 13, 11 to 15, 18 to
11, 8 to 24, 28 to 19, 4 to 8, 13 to 6,
2 to 9, 25 to 22, 9 to 13, 30 to 26*.
5 to 9 ( B ) , 32 to 28, 1 to 5, 19 to 15,
10 to 19, 23 to 16, 12 to 19, 22 to 17.
White wins.
At ( A ) 8 to 11 loses by stroke; 8
to 11, 19 to 15, 10 to 19, 18 to 14, 9
to 18, 22 to 8, 4 to 11, 27 to 24, White
wins. At note ( B ) „ If 3 to 7 or 1 to 6,
19 to 15 wins.
G A M E THIRTY FOUR
Black, Hopper. White, A. Heffner.
11 to 15, 23 to 19, 8 to 11, 22 to 17,
3 to 8, 25 to 22 11 to 16, 26 to 23, 7
to 11, 31 to 26, 9 to 14, 29 to 2 5 ( A ) ,
5 to 9, 17 to 13, 1 to 5, 22 to 17, 2 to 7,
25 to 22, 16 to 2 0 ( B ) , 23 to 1 8 ( C ) ,
14 to 23, 27 to 18, 20 to 27, 32 to 23,
15 to 24, 28 to 19, 11 to 1 6 ( D ) , 17 to
14, 10 to 17, 21 to 14, 8 to 11, 30 to
2 5 * ( E ) , 16 to 20, 25 to 2 1 ( F ) , 20 to
24, 19 to 15, 12 to 16, 15 to 8, 4 to 11,
14 to 10, 7 to 14, 22 to 17, 24 to 27, 17
to 1, 27 to 31, 13 to 6, 31 to 15, Drawn.
At Note ( A ) — I f 17 to 13, 6 to 9 wins
for Black.
(B)) Best here 14 to 18 leaves
white a stroke by 17 to 14.
(C)—This position is quite similar
to the regular whilter formation in
game (36) only Black has a man on
on square 4 instead of square 2. (See
game (36) at note ( x ) .
(D)—This position should be studied
closely, for altho it resembles game 36,
it is quite different, as it allows Black
a chance for a neat trap.
If a player finds his opponent famil­
iar with the regular whilter line it might
be a good policy to spring this forma­
tion on him. If he does not detect the
difference, he is likely to go into a
loss.
( E ) — A t note ( E ) 19 to 15, 16 to
19, 15 to 8, 4 to 11, 23 to 16, 12 to
19, Black wins.
( F ) — A t ( F ) if 22 to 17, Black gets
a winning stroke by 12 to 16, 19 to 12,
11 to 15, 18 to 2, 9 to 27, 2 to 9, 5 to
30 Black wins neatly. Heflner no doubt
knew this line thoroughly.
GAME THIRTY FIVE
Black, A. Heffner. White, Hopper.
11 to 15, 23 to 18, 8 to 11, 27 to 23,
4 to 8, 23 to 19, 9 to 14, 18j to 9, 5 to
14, 22 to 17, 15 to 18, 26 to 22, 11 to
15, 17 to 13, 7, to 11, 13 to 9, 6 to 13,
24 to 20, 15 to 24, 22 to 6, 1 to 10,
28 to 19, 14 to 1 8 ( A ) , 31 to 26, 18 to
23, 26 to 22, 23 to 27, 32 to 23, 11 to
15, 19 to 16, 12 to 26, 30 to 23, 8 to
11, 23 to 18, 3 to 7, 21 to 17, 15 to 19,
18 to 15, Drawn.
(A)—Best. If 11 to 15, instead,
white plays 31 to 26, 15 to 24, 26 to 22,
and Blacks draw is 14 to 17. If instead
of 14 to 17 Black should move 13 to
17, 22 to 13, 2 to 6, then 32 to 27*,
24 to 31, 30 to 26 wins for white.
G A M E T H I R T Y SIX
Black, Hopper. White, Mantell.
11 to 15, 23 to 19, 9 to 14, 22 to 17,
7 to 11, 25 to 22, 11 to 16 26 to 23,
5 to 9, 17 to 13, 3 to 7, 29 to 25, 1 to 5,
22 to 17, 8 to 11, 31 to 26, 4 to 8, 25
to 22 ( x ) , 16 to 20, 23 to 18, 14 to 23,
27 to 18, 20 to 27, 32 to 23, 15 to 24,
 MAJOR TACTICS OF CHECKERS
28 to 19, 11 to 16, 17 to 1 4 ( A ) , 10 to
17, 21 to 14, 16 to 20, 19 to 1 5 ( B ) ,
7 to 11, 23 to 19, 20 to 24, 14 to 10,
9 to 14. Drawn.
( A ) — Note how the moves closely
follow those of game 34.
(B)—This 19 to 15 move draws here
but loses at this stage in game 34. Com­
pare the positions in both games as they
furnish an excellent excercise.
GAME THIRTY SEVEN
Black, Hopper. White, Rudolph.
9 to 14, 23 to 19, 11 to 15, 27 to 23,
8 to 11, 22 to 18, 15 to 23, 25 to 9,
5 to 14, 29 to 25, 6 to 9, 25 to 22, 11
to 1 5 ( A ) , 24 to 20, 15 to 24, 28 to 19,
1 to 5, 22 to 1 7 ( B ) , 9 to 13, 26 to 22,
7 to 11, 30 to 26, 11 to 15, 32 to 28,
15 to 24, 28 to 19, 4 to 8, 22 to 18,
13 to 22, 18 t o . 9 , 5 to 14, 26 to 17,
8 to 11, 31 to 26, 11 to 15, 19 to 16,
12 to 19, 23 to 16, 14 to 18*, 17 to
13, 15 to 19, 13 to 9, 19 to 24, 21 to
17, 10 to 15. Black wins.
At ( A ) Book gives 9 to 13 as regular
line.
( B ) — 2 2 to 18, 14 to 17, 21 to 14,
10 to 17, is probably the proper play
altho it leads to some strong lines for
Black.
GAME THIRTY EIGHT
Black, Hopper. White, Thomas.
11 to 15, 22 to 18, 15 to 22, 25 to 18,
12 to 16, 29 to 25, 9 to 13, 26 to 22 ( A ) ,
8 to 12, 24 to 19, 5 to 9, 21 to 17, 4 to 8,
25 to 21, 8 to 11, 30 to 26, 10 to 15,
19 to 10, 6 to 15, 27 to 24, 16 to 19,
23 to 16, 11 to 27, 18 to 11, 7 to 16,
32 to 23, 16 to 19*, 23 to 16, 12 to 19,
31 to 27, 2 to 7*, 27 to 24, 9 to 14*.
Black wins.
(A)—Rather unusual altho good for
a draw, if played properly.
GAME THIRTY NINE
Black, Hopper. White, Dr. Schaefer.
11 to 15, 22 to 18, 15 to 22, 25 to 18,
12 to 16, 29 to 25, 9 to 13, 24 to 19,
16 to 20, 28 to 24, 8 to 12, 32 to 28,
5 to 9 ( A ) , 25 to 22, 4 to 8 ( B ) , 19 to
15, 10 to 19, 24 to 15, 12 to 16, 21 to
17, 8 to 12, 30 to 25, 7 to 10, 25 to 21,
10 to 19, 17 to 14, 1 to 5, 14 to 10,
6 to 15, 18 to 11, 9 to 14, 22 to 17,
13 to 22, 26 to 10, 19 to 26, 31 to 22,
5 to 9, 10 to 6, 9 to 13, 28 to 24, 2 to
9, 21 to 17, 16 to 19, 24 to 15, 12 to
16, 27 to 23, 20 to 24, 23 to 18, 24 to
27, 17 to 14, 27 to 31, 14 to 5, 31 to
26, 15 to 10, 26 to 17. Drawn.
At ( A ) — 1 2 to 16, 19 to 12, 3 to 8,
12 to 3, 13 to 17, 21 to 14, 10 to 17,
3 to 10, 6 to 29, gives a neat stroke
but leads to a loss for Black.
( B ) — 1 0 to 14, 19 to 16, 12 to 19,
24 to 15, 7 to 10, 27 to 24, is the usual
play here.
GAME FORTY
Black, Dr. Schaefer. White, Hooper.
11 to 15, 22 to 18, 15 to 22, 25 to 18,
31
8 to 11, 29 to 25, 4 to 8, 24 to 20, 10
to 15, 25 to 22, 12 to 16, 21 to 1 7 ( A ) ,
8 to 12, 17 to 13, 7 to 10, 27 to 24,
9 to 14, 18 to 9, 5 to 14, 24 to 19, 15
to 24, 28 to 19, 14 to 17, 32 to 27, 1
to 5, 22 to 18, 10 to 14, 18 to 9, 5 to
14, 27 to 24, 6 to 9, 13 to 6, 2 to 9,
26 to 22, 17 to 26, 31 to 22, 9 to 13,
22 to 18, 14 to 17, 19 to 15, 16 to 19,
15 to 8, 19 to 28, 18 to 14, 28 to 32, 23
to 19, 32 to 27. Drawn.
At ( A ) — 2 7 to 24 loses here and
forms the "Old Farmer" or "Goose
Walk". The moves to win are: 15 to 19,
24 to 15, 16 to 19, 23 to 16, 9 to 14,
18 to 9, 11 to 25, 32 to 27, 5 to ,14,
27 to 23, 6 to 10, 26 to 22, 25 to 29,
30 to 25, 14 to 18, 22 to 6, 29 to 22,
31 to 27, 1 to 10, 27 to 24, 8 to 11.
Black wins.
And now, just a few concluding re­
marks ere we bring our lectures to a
close.
Always try to move towards the
center of the board whenever possible.
Align your men in a wedge-shaped for­
mation and in advancing, back up each
man so that your forces are consol­
idated.
Checkers and chess are games that
are allied a lot to the tactics of war­
fare. In making an attack, you should
do so as vigorouusly as possible and
employing all the men available. For
this reason, do not attempt to hold
your king row intact. (But two check­
ers) are necessary to protect this zone
and the rest should be out in battle.
The center of the board is akin to a
vantage point in a major engagement.
Just as a battalion will endeavor to
capture a hill which gives a command­
ing position, so also should the check-
erist strive to occupy the center of the
board which gives him a similar ad­
vantage of position. The rest of the
encounter depends on avoiding the dif­
ferent trans and shots which take place
on different sectors of the board, and
the final strategy to compel an open­
ing in your opponents ranks through
which you can run a man in for a
king. But above all, remember that
although your opponent is represen­
tative of an enemy force, learn to lose
with good grace and sportmanship.
The player who loses with a smile
will in the end soon reach the expert
class, for each defeat is to him a new
lesson that contributes to his advance­
ment.
Hard practice helps greatly in devel­
oping championship calibre, prior to
that, as a beginner, your greatest im­
provement will be noted in learning and
memorizing the various strategies which
I detailed.
Once these fundamentals are learned
and you have an idea of proper for­
mation, you will soon find yourselves in
the expert class.
 CONCLUDING PROBLEM EXERCISES

A c D.
Black-3,13, 28. King 15 Black-10, 11, 22, 25. Kii Black Kings, 7,15, 23. Black-5, 12. King 1

White.-9, 10, 11,21,32. White-29, 31. Kings 3, 12. White—21. Kings 8, 13. White—Kings 8, I t
White to move and win. Black to move and win. Black to move and win Black to move and win.

E G
Black—3. Kings, 10,15, 24. Black—1, 3, 9,12. King 24, 26. Black—6,7, ifmg4.

White-10,15,18,19, 20. King 2. White—12, 20, 31./

White—6, 12, 16. King 1.
Black to more and win.
White to move and draw. White to move and draw

H I
Black—9,17.
Black-2, 14. King 30.

White-10,22,32. King 8. White—30. King 4.

AVhite to move and win. White to move and win.

Black—6, 7, 9, 10. 12,-24.

W h i t e - 1 3 , 17, 18, 19. 23, 28.

White to move and draw

Solution ( A ) — 1 1 to 7, 15 to 6, 9 to 2, 3 to 10, 2 to 7, 10 to 14, 7 to 10, 14 to 18, 21

to 17*, 13 to 22, 10 to 25. White wins.
Solution ( B ) — 1 1 to 15, 3 to 7, 15 to 18, 7 to 14, 22 to 26, 29 to 15, 23 to 19. Black
wins.
Solution ( C ) — 7 to 11, 8 to 3, 23 to 18, 13 to 17, 15 to 19*, 17 to 13, 18 to 14, 13
to 17, 11 to 15. Black wins.
Solution ( D ) — 1 to 6*, 8 to 11, 6 to 2, 11 to 15, 12 to 16, 14 to 10, 16 to 20, 15 to 19,
5 to 9, 19 to 23, 9 to 13, 10 to 14, 2 to 7, 23 to 18, 7 to 11, 18 to 22, 11 to 15,
Black wins.
Solution ( E ) — 6 to 2, 24 to 20, 16 to 11, 15 to 8, 2 to 7, 10 to 14, 1 to 6, 3 to 10,
12 to 3. Drawn.
Solution ( F ) — 1 8 to 14, 9 to 18, 10 to 7, 3 to 10, 15 to 6, 1 to 10, 2 to 7. Drawn.
Solution ( G ) — 6 to 10, 31 to 27, 10 to 15, 27 to 24 ( x ) , 15 to 19. 24 to 15* 7 to 11.
Black wins. A t ( x ) if 27 to 23, then 7 to 11, 12 to 8, 15 to 19. 1
Solution ( H ) — 3 2 to 27, 30 to 26, 22 to 17, 14 to 21, 27 to 23, 26 to 19, 10 to 7,
2 to 11, 8 to 24. White wins.
Solution ( I ) — 4 to 8, 9 to 14, 8 to 11, 14 to 18, 11 to 15, 18 to 23, 15 to, 18, 23 to
27, 30 to 25, 17 to 21, 18 to 23. White wins.
Solution ( J ) — 1 9 to 15, 10 to 26, 28 to 19, 7 to 10, 19 to 15, 10 to 19, 17 to 14, 26
to 30, 14 to 5, 6 to 10, 5 to 1, 30 to 26, 1 to 6. Drawn.

JUN 1935