British Draughts Federation

Week 006: April 27th 2001 by George Miller

Play on the Zone

I used to play lots of games on the VOG site, but since the upgrade to VOG2 some time ago I do not have the hardware to run the client application.  Fortunately the GamesZone run by Microsoft offers ample opportunity to play online checkers in real time.  Here are two recent games against a regular sparring partner, Albert Tucker of Louisiana.

Black: George Miller  White: Albert Tucker  April 24th 2001

11-15 23-19 8-11 22-17 9-14 25-22 6-9 (a) 17-13 2-6 29-25 4-8 24-20 15-24 28-19 11-15 27-24 14-17 21-14 9-18 31-27 (b) 5-9 (c) 20-16 (d) 10-14 19-10 12-28 22-15 14-18 27-24 7-14 24-20 8-11 (e) 15-8 3-12 25-21 18-22 (f) 26-10 6-15 13-6 1-10 21-17 15-18 17-13 10-15 13-9 18-23 9-6 23-27 (g) 32-23 28-32 6-2 32-27 drawn.

Notes

(a)     A Souter and a favourite of Albert and myself.

(b)     26-23 is almost universally played here, but Albert always has something interesting to try.

(c)     I found some published play on this just before submitting the html file to Roberto, it runs 10-14 19-10 6-15 26-23 (22-17 14-21 26-23 or 13-9 is also interesting) 15-19 24-15 5-9 13-6 1-26 30-23 7-11 22-15 11-18 27-24 18-27 32-23 14-17 24-19* 17-21 25-22 21-25 22-17 25-30 17-13 8-11 13-9 30-26 9-5* 26-22 5-1 22-17 1-6* 17-14 6-2* 14-10 (3-8? 23-18* 14-16 2-7 11-15 20-4 15-19 7-11 19-24 4-8 24-28 8-3 28-32 3-7 32-28 7-10 28-24 10-15 and white wins by 1st position) 23-18 3-8 20-16* 11-20 18-15* 10-14 15-10 14-7 2-4 drawn, Handy Sheehan in the American Checker Review of August 1888!

(d)     This is getting silly, I can win a piece - but it's unclear who is winning the game!

(e)     I was still unsure if this line had been prepared or not as Albert is renowned for playing outlandish variations, often with good results.  I decided to chicken out at this point, but I could have tried 3-7 20-16 7-10 16-12 10-19 12-3 19-24 26-22* 18-23 22-18 24-27 3-7 27-31 18-15 should draw.

(f)      Continuing the plan.

(g)     And clinching the draw!

The second game was as entertaining as the first.

Black: Albert Tucker  White: George Miller  April 24th 2001

11-15 22-17 8-11 17-13 (a) 15-18 23-14 9-18 21-17 10-15 (b) 24-20 (c) 18-22 25-18 15-22 17-14* 6-9 26-19 9-18 29-25 (d) 7-10 (e) 31-26 (f) 10-15 17-14 12-16? (g) 14-10 (h) 2-7 27-24 7-14 24-19 15-24 (i) 28-12 4-8?? (j) 32-27 (k) 11-15 27-24 (l) 15-19 (m) 24-15 5-9 13-6 1-19 26-22 (n) 18-23 22-18 14-17 18-15 17-21 (o) 25-22 19-24 20-16 white wins.

Notes

(a)     Inviting the "Maid of the Mill" and the correct approach to an Old 14th formation.

(b)     This is now considered strong for black, but I still agree with the old masters that the white game is quite playable.

(c)     Best

(d)     I took this as I could not remember which move came next, namely 26-23, 25-21 or the text.  I picked the weakest one!

(e)     Published play gives 30-26 7-10 29-25 11-16 20-11 2-7 to a draw in Masterplay.

(f)      Lots of choice here, I prefer 11-15.

(g)     I figured that the 3x3 with 20-16 may be too ambitious, however it is the best white has and may be forced; continue 12-19 27-23 19-26 31-6 1-10 and white should be OK.

(h)     3-7* 25-21 1-6 and black must be winning.

(i)       Now white can rescue the game, anything else loses.

(j)       The text or 16-23 26-10 18-23 is equal.

(k)     11-15 is essential, the text is weak and the piece on 8 is very exposed.

(l)       This or 32-28 punishes the delay of 11-15.

(m)    20-16 is tempting, but the text is a winner.

(n)     I overlooked this 2x2, but it is still curtains for black.

(o)     And white will win the piece on 8 as predicted in the earlier note.

(p)     Or 19-24 20-16 24-28 25-21* 17-22 16-11 white wins.

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