ELEMENTARY TACTICS
The first thing a Checker player has to know is what superiority in material or position is required to FORCE a win in the ending. The most elementary case is the one shown in Diagram 88, in which White wins by playing 32-27. With this move White takes the opposition or as most Checker players call it, White has the "move." Whatever Black replies he is forced to the edge of the board and finally he is obliged to let White capture his King. Supposing Black plays (2) 26-22, in order to reach the double corner, where he would be safe as he could indefinitely move from 5 to 1 and from 1 to 5, then White continues with (2) …,27-23, preventing (3) 22-18 which would gain the road to the double corner. After (3) 22-17, 23-l8; Black has to retreat to the edge by 17-13 or 17-21, and White, by playing 18-14, or 18-22 pins the black King so that he cannot move without being captured. If it had been Black's move in the position of the diagram, he would have gained the opposition by 26-31 and White would have been compelled to retire to the double corner and to draw by 32-28, 28-32, etc.
32 31 30
+———————————————————-+
| | oo | | | | | | |29
|———————————————————-|
28 | | | | | ** | | | |
|———————————————————-|
| | | | | | | | |21
|———————————————————-|
20 | | | | | | | | |
|———————————————————-|
| | | | | | | | |13
|———————————————————-|
12 | | | | | | | | |
|———————————————————-|
| | | | | | | | |5
|———————————————————-|
4 | | | | | | | | |
+———————————————————-+
3 2 1
DIAGRAM 88.
With one King entrenched in the double corner it takes two Kings to force the win. In the position of Diagram 89 for instance White would win as follows:
Black White
(1) … 19-24 (2) 32-28 23-19 (3) 28-32 24-28 (4) 32-27 28-32 (5) 27-31 19-15 (6) 31-26 15-18 (7) 26-31 18-22
In the ending THREE KINGS AGAINST TWO KINGS the most favorable spots for the weaker player are the two double corners; but the three Kings will always win when handled right.
32 31 30
+———————————————————-+
| | ** | | | | | | | 29
|———————————————————-|
28 | | | | | | | | |
|———————————————————-|
| | | | oo | | | | | 21
|———————————————————-|
20 | | | oo | | | | | |
|———————————————————-|
| | | | | | | | | 13
|———————————————————-|
12 | | | | | | | | |
|———————————————————-|
| | | | | | | | | 5
|———————————————————-|
4 | | | | | | | | |
+———————————————————-+
3 2 1
DIAGRAM 89.
The method which has to be employed will be evident from the play in Diagram 90. In order to win Black must exchange one King; the position is then reduced to that of Diagram 89.
32 31 30
+———————————————————-+
| | | | | | | | |29
|———————————————————-|
28 | | | oo | | | | | |
|———————————————————-|
| | | | | | | | |21
|———————————————————-|
20 | | | ** | | | | | |
|———————————————————-|
| | | | ** | | | | |13
|———————————————————-|
12 | | | | | ** | | oo | |
|———————————————————-|
| | | | | | | | |5
|———————————————————-|
4 | | | | | | | | |
+———————————————————-+
3 2 1
DIAGRAM 90.
If it were White's move, Black would easily win; for after (1) …, 27-32; (2) 19-24, 9-5; (3) 10-6, White cannot avoid the exchange. For instance: (3) …, 5-1; (4) 24-19. The problem reduces itself therefore to changing the move from Black to White. This is accomplished by:
Black White
(1) 15-18 27-32 (2) 19-24 9-5 (3) 10-14
Threatening 24-27. White can only reply
(3) … 32-28 (4) 24-27 5-1 (5) 14-9, etc., as above.
If the weaker side does not control both double corners the exchange can be forced much more easily, as an experiment will quickly show.
32 31 30
+———————————————————-+
| | oo | | | | | | |29
|———————————————————-|
28 | ** | | oo | | | | | |
|———————————————————-|
| | | | | | | | |21
|———————————————————-|
20 | ** | | | | | | | |
|———————————————————-|
| | ** | | | | | | |13
|———————————————————-|
12 | | | | | | | | |
|———————————————————-|
| | | | | | | | | 5
|———————————————————-|
4 | | | | | | | | |
+———————————————————-+
3 2 1
DIAGRAM 91.
Sometimes the stronger side has an occasion to give up two Kings for one thereby forcing a position similar to that of Diagram 88. Diagram 91 offers an example:
Black on the move wins in 5 moves, thus:
(1) 16-19 27-31 (2) 20-24 32-27 (3) 28-32 27x20 (4) 19-24 20x27 (5) 32x23
and White is pinned.
With three Kings against four a player can sometimes offer prolonged resistance. But finally the stronger player will always be able to force an exchange which secures the victory. In the position of Diagram 92 for instance Black will proceed as follows:
(1) 18-15 19-24
It would not help to play 27-24, as Black would reply 14-17 and exchange on the next move by 10-14.
(2) 11-16
limiting White's mobility.
(2) … 23-26
In answer to 24-20 Black would play 15-19.
(3) 16-19 24-28 (4) 14-18 26-30 (5) 19-23 28-32 (6) 15-19 27-31
32 31 30
+———————————————————-+
| | | | | | | | | 29
|———————————————————-|
28 | | | oo | | | | | |
|———————————————————-|
| | | | oo | | | | | 21
|———————————————————-|
20 | | | oo | | ** | | | |
|———————————————————-|
| | | | | | ** | | | 13
|———————————————————-|
12 | | | ** | | ** | | | |
|———————————————————-|
| | | | | | | | | 5
|———————————————————-|
4 | | | | | | | | |
+———————————————————-+
3 2 1
DIAGRAM 92.
Not 30-25 on account of 18-22.
(7) 10-14 31-26
(8) 14-17 26-31
(9) 17-22 31-27
(10) 19-16 27-24
(11) 16-19 and wins.
If, on the 10th move, White played 27-31 instead of 27-24, the game might proceed as follows:
(11) 18-15 32-28 (12) 15-19 28-32 (13) 22-26 31x22 (14) 23-27 32x23 (15) 19x17
These possibilities of exchanging "two for two" should always be looked for as they often occur, enabling a win within a few moves.