THE
DECEMBER 1997
THE ACF
BULLETIN # 270
THE
MAILBAG
|
9-13 | 1-6* |
At this point Ryan came 9-14, 26-23, and stated the game was a WW, without further play. But 9-14 probably draws too, then if Ryan's 26-23, Brian Hinkle suggested 13-17 to a probable draw-probably into trunk.
CONT;
| 2-7
| 28-24
| 26-23 soon |
A. Approved for mailplay only.
B. Now Ryan's trunk in MEC, P-198, from
10-14, 24-20, 7-10.
C. 6-9 is of course the safe-approved way. Brian Hinkle asked "Chinook" about the ensuing ending. Dr. Schaeffer replied that it would take some time, as it was very deep, with many possible move orders. After some time (over a week) Brian began sending me the Chinook analysis and opinions. Dr. Schaeffer became "99% sure" it was a WW.
I then became interested in it, and was finding all draws.
Hinkle, Chinook, and I then exchanged E-mail about the play.
D. Ryan shows 11-15 to lose in his Note-F, giving this in Note-H, as a then recent attempt by the correspondence players.
E. (Or Ryan's and now Hinkle's 9-14) Both I, and Chinook played this, as I felt getting the king back to the center, with possible options of 25-22, later, was maybe best, in a most likely man down ending.
F. Chinook and I both played 4-8?? here, using all the pieces, and with the man on 9 helpless, Red stays in position to remove the white king if white takes the man.
ON 4-8??, 26-23, 9-14, (now forced to stop the king from coming out 1-6, a WW) 1-5, 13-17 and 31-27! ( A bolt from the blue! Only deep searches with computer programs will unveil such elegant play, as the desire to take the man, and gain material advantage, is of course obvious.
But if 5-9, 2-7, etc. is back on trunk. With this, white develops his pieces to avoid Red gaining the man down draw, and is satisfied to "grip", getting a man later.) 17-22, 27-24*, 2-7, (8-11, 5-9*, 11-16, 9-18, 16-20, 32-27, 2-7, 18-15, 31-26, (7-11, 15-8, 25-22, 8-11* , 22-18, 14-9, 31-26, 9-6, 26-23, 11-15 etc W. Wins) 21-17, 26-31, (25-22, 27-23!, 22-13, 23-18 etc) 17-13, 31-26, 13-9 etc. WW. ) 32-28*!, (after much analysis Dr. Schaeffer stated this position was his concern, and it appeared to be a WW. With which I agreed!) 25-29, 19-15*, 7-11, 15-10, 11-15, 5-9*, 15-18, 23-19, 22-26, 10-6, 26-31, 19-16, 12-19, 24-15, 29-25, 6-2, 8-12, 2-7*,31-27, 15-10, 27-23, 7-11, 25-22, 10-6, 23-19, 11-7, 22-17, 6-2, 12-16, 2-6, 16-20, 9-13, WW. After seeing this "Chinook" win, then playing 9-14* 1st became obvious.
G. Now poised to remove the white king, and also stopping the deadly 31-27 in Note-F, because of 22-26.
H. The sole attack now, but loses the king.
I. The black king is now in fine position, and holding well.
If 31-27, 22-26, 23-18, 7-11, 21-17, 26-23, 17-14, 23-19, 14-10, 19-23 draws.
J. After a couple days, Dr. Schaeffer agreed this line draws.
We continue to appreciate Dr. Schaeffer's (and "Chinook's"!) willingness to look at these difficult lines and furnish play.
So there are 2 ways to draw this, although this 3-7 defense is certainly no improvement over the standard 6-9 draw line. But it's a fine ending- Brian Hinkle found questions about.
"Dear Captain Cayton - I want to congratulate you and thank you for your fine new openings book. This is beautifully constructed with excellent format and type on thick green paper which is not only easy to refer to and study, but a fine collectors's item. It has some of the finest play I have ever seen. It ought to last many life times. I have just read the introduction and scanned thru some of the wonderful play in it. Not being a mail player, I had no idea how much work had been done in the new openings area by so many. I certainly wish you and your marvelous crew the best of luck in your laudable goal of traveling where no man has gone in search of truth and knowledge in the higher dimensions of space and time in unknown checker positions in order to correctly complete the 3-move deck.
May you recruit new members as you go and use the ultra modern modes of pc programs, probing minds, ideas in timing, ideas of super symmetry and your obvious desire and spirit to successfully complete your mission. I truly hope your starship, "Checkerprise" makes a quantum leap with warp speed to the final objective. I highly recommend your 1997 new openings book, "A Compilation Of The Barred Openings" by Dennis C. Cayton for players of all levels and urge them to join your team. This exceeding fine book has contributions from many famous living and deceased players and analysts. It is truly a monument which greatly enhances the checker literature."
Black
to play and draw