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ItsYourTurn.com USA vs. World 8/04

© Copyright 2004, Jim Loy
You may print this and show it to others. But, this article will eventually be part of a book that I am writing. So, please do not distribute it widely.

If you need help reading checkers notation, please print out the numbered board.

In August 2004, ItsYourTurn.com had a USA vs. World match. The World won, with 10 wins, 3 losses, and 27 draws. Each player played four games (two GAYP and two 3-move) with his/her opponent. Here are the games, in PDN notation, with my comments in parentheses and elsewhere. Notice that "C.R." means colors reversed.

Board #1 - Lindus Edwards [UK] -vs- Anthony Perez [USA], score: 0-0-4

[Comment: "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?action?stage=7&game=15300019908909"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.23"]
[Black "Lindus Edwards"]
[White "Anthony Perez"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
1. 11-15 23-18 2. 8-11 26-23 (Crescent Cross) 3. 10-14 30-26 4. 6-10 24-19 5. 15-24 27-20* (28-19 loses PP) 6. 4-8 (the popular book line is 12-16 28-24 4-8 22-17* 8-12 32-28* = same) 32-27 (Perez' cook; 28-24 apparently goes to the previous note) 7. 12-16 (seems to be the only move with any strength) 27-24 8. 8-12 22-17 (returning to the book line mentioned earlier) 9. 10-15 17-10 10. 7-14 26-22* 1/2-1/2 (a very popular position)

From the final position, Perez says "Here red draws most commonly with 16-19 although 2-6 is a pp draw. Either way we just conceded [the draw] so that we could focus on our other games." This is called a "rest game" in checkers, and is the equivalent of a "grandmaster draw" in chess. Such a game can be a valuable time saver, and may help win a match. It may mean that your opponent successfully avoided your carefully prepared traps, as shown in this game.

[Comment: "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?action?stage=7&game=15300019908908"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.23"]
[Black "Anthony Perez"]
[White "Lindus Edwards"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
1. 9-14 22-18 2. 5-9 24-19 (= 9-14 24-19 5-9 25-22) 3. 11-16 (or 11-15) 26-22 4. 16-20 (or 8-11) 22-17 5. 7-11 (or 8-11) 17-13 6. 11-15 18-11 7. 8-24 28-19 8. 4-8 30-26(A) (25-22 draws, PP) 9. 10-15 (8-11 draws, Kear's Encycl.; 10-15 seems to be new; White's attack now seems to be fairly narrow and predictable) 19-10 10. 6-15 13-6 11. 1-10 26-22 12. 15-19* 23-16 13. 12-19 22-18 14. 14-23 27-18 15. 19-23 (Red has perhaps seen this far, and correctly judged this to be a draw) 21-17 16. 2-6 (or 8-11) 18-14 (or 25-21 8-11 17-13 10-15 18-14 15-19 or 15-18 draws) 17. 8-11 14-7 18. 3-10 25-21 19. 11-15 17-14 20. 10-17 21-14 21. 15-18 29-25 22. 23-27 32-23 1/2-1/2 "A nice original game," L. Edwards.

A - Lindus said that he considered 31-26 (a cook by Bill Edwards, Lindus' father), then Nemesis' opening book suggests that 10-15 (apparently planned by Anthony) is strong for White (maybe a drawn bridge ending, although I haven't found one yet?); or 8-11? 19-16 12-19 23-7 2-11 25-22 and 22-17 WW?. I'm having difficulty finding a comfortable draw against 31-26. This may do it: 2-7 (suggested by Nemesis to draw) 26-22 1-5* 22-17 7-11 30-26 3-7 25-22 11-15 19-16 12-19 23-16 8-12 27-23 12-19 23-16 20-24 16-12 7-11 12-8 24-27 32-23 15-18 draw.

[Comment: "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?action?stage=7&game=15300019903332"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.23"]
[Black "Lindus Edwards"]
[White "Anthony Perez"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
1. 9-13 22-18 2. 11-15 18-11 3. 8-15 21-17 4. 13-22 25-11 5. 7-16 24-20 (or 29-25) 6. 3-8 20-11 7. 8-15 23-19 (rare; 28-24 is most popular, or 29-25) 8. 15-24 28-19 9. 4-8 27-23 (29-25 8-11 25-22 PP) 10. 8-11 29-25 11. 5-9 32-27(A) 12. 9-14 25-22 (26-22 draws) 13. 6-9 22-18 14. 2-6 26-22 15. 10-15 19-10 16. 6-15 27-24 17. 12-16 23-19 (a clever shot to make the draw obvious) 18. 16-23 31-26 19. 23-27 24-20 20. 14-23 26-10 21. 11-15 1/2-1/2

A - 25-22 (31-27 draw) 9-14 22-18 6-9 31-27 11-16 26-22 is a draw, but may be somewhat difficult for Red?

[Comment: "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?action?stage=7&game=15300019903333"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.23"]
[Black "Anthony Perez"]
[White "Lindus Edwards"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
1. 9-13 22-18 2. 11-15 18-11 3. 8-15 21-17 (or 24-20) 4. 13-22 25-11 5. 7-16 24-20 (or 29-25) 6. 3-8 20-11 7. 8-15 27-24 (rare; or 28-24 or 29-25 or 26-22) 8. 4-8 31-27 (29-25 5-9 24-20 8-11 31-27 = same) 9. 5-9 29-25 10. 8-11 24-20 11. 9-13 27-24 (or others) 12. 6-9 (new? 10-14 is published to draw) 24-19 13. 15-24 28-19 14. 9-14 25-22 15. 11-15 (the easiest draw) 32-28 16. 15-24 28-19 17. 2-7 (or 2-6 draw) 22-18 (or 20-16 draw) 18. 1-5 (or 14-17 draw) 18-9 19. 5-14 19-16 20. 12-19 23-16 21. 14-18 26-22 22. 18-25 30-21 23. 10-15 16-12 1/2-1/2

The last part of the game may be new, but I don't think Red was ever in any danger.

Board #2 - Jesse Priest [UK] -vs- Whitey1939 [USA], score: 0-1-3

[Comment: "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?action?stage=7&game=15300019886284"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.22"]
[Black "whitey1939"]
[White "Jesse Priest"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
1. 11-15 23-19 2. 8-11 22-17 3. 9-14 25-22 4. 3-8 (a variation of the Whilter) 26-23 5. 5-9 17-13 6. 1-5 (or 11-16 PP) 22-17 (or 29-25 PP) 7. 11-16 24-20 (29-25 PP or 31-26 PP) 8. 15-24 20-11 9. 8-15 28-19 10. 15-24 27-20 11. 14-18 23-14 12. 9-18 17-14 13. 10-17 21-14 14. 4-8 32-27 15. 8-11 30-26(A) 16. 11-15 29-25 17. 7-10 14-7 18. 2-11 25-21 19. 6-10 26-23 20. 18-22 23-18 21. 10-14 18-9 22. 5-14 13-9 23. 15-19 (Chamblee moved 14-18 C.R.; neither player is in trouble, and the ending can be played in many different ways) 9-6 24. 14-18 6-2 25. 19-24 21-17 26. 22-25 17-13 27. 25-29 2-6 28. 29-25 6-10 29. 18-22 13-9 30. 24-28 10-14 31. 12-16 27-24 32. 28-32 31-27 33. 32-23 24-19 34. 11-15 19-12 35. 15-19 12-8 36. 22-26 14-10 37. 19-24 1/2-1/2

A - This position came up in this game (C.R.):

[Event "US National 1948"]
[Black "Tinsley, M"]
[White "Chamblee, M"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
9-14 24-19 11-16 22-18 8-11 18-9 5-14 26-22 11-15 22-18 15-22 25-9 6-13 28-24 3-8 29-25 16-20 30-26 8-11 25-22 1-6 32-28 11-16 19-15 10-19 24-15 16-19 23-16 12-19 (same as note A above, C.R.) 22-18 4-8 26-23 19-26 31-22 8-12 27-23 7-10 15-11 10-15 23-19 15-24 28-19 20-24 19-15 24-27 11-7 2-11 15-8 6-9 8-3 27-31 3-7 12-16 7-10 31-27 18-15 27-23 15-11 16-20 11-7 20-24 7-2 24-27 2-6 27-31 6-1 23-19 1/2-1/2

[Comment: "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?action?stage=7&game=15300019886285"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.22"]
[Black "Jesse Priest"]
[White "whitey1939"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
1. 11-15 22-18 (Single Corner, the most heavily published opening) 2. 15-22 25-18 3. 12-16 (or 8-11) 18-14 (perhaps the preferred defense, nowadays) 4. 9-18 23-14 5. 10-17 21-14 6. 6-10 (preferred over several others) 29-25 7. 10-17 25-21 8. 1-6 (preferred over others) 21-14 9. 8-11 26-22 10. 4-8 27-23 (30-25 PP "the perfect defense," J. Duffy) 11. 16-19 23-16 12. 11-27 32-23 13. 6-9 (8-11 PP) 22-18 14. 2-6 30-25 15. 8-11 23-19 (or 28-24 draws) 16. 9-13 19-15 17. 13-17 15-8 18. 3-12 25-22 19. 17-26 31-22 20. 6-9 (this position came up in R. Manana - P. Caldwell, 2001 Ireland vs. S. Africa Youth Match, ending in a WW C.R., on the Irish organization's WWW site) 28-24 21. 7-11 24-19 22. 11-16 19-15 23. 16-19 15-11 (apparently, White is in some danger) 24. 19-23 14-10* 25. 23-26 10-7 26. 26-30 22-17 27. 30-26 18-15* 28. 26-23 7-2* 29. 12-16 2-6* 30. 9-13 17-14 31. 23-19 14-10 (I think the draw is easy, now) 32. 16-20 11-8 33. 20-24 15-11 34. 5-9 8-3 35. 9-14 10-7 36. 14-17 7-2 37. 17-21 3-8 1/2-1/2

[Comment: "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?action?stage=7&game=15300019910886"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.24"]
[Black "Jesse Priest"]
[White "whitey1939"]
[Result "0-1"]
1. 9-13 22-18 2. 10-14 (the Inferno, a near win for White) 18-9 3. 5-14 25-22 (or 26-22) 4. 11-15* 24-19 (or other attacks PP) 5. 15-24 28-19 6. 8-11 (Anthony Perez says that this loses, and he seems to be right; 6-10 is the popular draw, G. I. Miller - W. Wilkins, 1997 World Mail Ty. and the 1998, 1999, and 2000 I-D booklets) 22-18 7. 6-9 29-25 8. 11-16 (7-10 25-22 WW according to Nemesis, instead of 19-15 to draw in the 1998 I-D booklet) 25-22 9. 4-8 18-15 10. 16-20 22-17! (seems to be an improvement to PP, perhaps unpublished?; 22-18 drew, B. Vanderpool - J. Loy, 1998 I-D) 11. 13-22 26-10 12. 7-14 30-26 13. 2-6 (other moves lose, too) 26-22 14. 9-13 22-18 15. 6-9 15-10 16. 8-11 31-26 17. 13-17 19-16 (wins a piece) 18. 12-19 23-7 19. 14-30 21-5 20. 30-26 7-2 21. 26-22 27-24 22. 20-27 32-23 23. 22-26 23-18! (White can win without this sacrifice, with 23-19) 24. 26-22 (26-23 is similar, but much faster) 2-6* 25. 22-15 6-2 26. 15-6 2-9 (White does not have the move, but will trade for it later) 27. 3-8 9-14 28. 8-12 14-18 29. 12-16 18-23 30. 16-20 23-19 31. 1-6 5-1 32. 6-10 1-6 33. 10-14 6-9 34. 14-17 9-14 35. 17-22 14-18 0-1

W. R. Fraser called 10-14 22-18 7-10 "Fraser's Inferno," after he lost two games with it in his 1960 GAYP World Championship match with Tom Wiswell. The above Inferno, is significantly more difficult. It is too bad that both openings have similar names.

[Comment: "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?action?stage=7&game=15300019910885"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.24"]
[Black "whitey1939"]
[White "Jesse Priest"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
1. 9-13 22-18 2. 10-14 (Inferno) 18-9 3. 5-14 24-19 4. 7-10 (= 10-14 24-19 7-10 22-18 9-13 18-9 5-14 in Kear's Encycl.) 25-22 5. 3-7 29-25 (or 22-18) 6. 11-15 19-16 7. 12-19 23-16 8. 8-12 (8-11 PP) 27-23 9. 12-19 23-16 10. 7-11 (15-19? lost, M. Rex - E. Markusic, 1973 I-D) 16-7 11. 2-11 26-23 (may be new; 28-24 should have drawn, Williams - Todd, 1975 I-D) 12. 4-8 31-27 13. 1-5 27-24 14. 15-18 22-15 15. 10-26 30-23 16. 8-12 24-19 17. 11-16 28-24 18. 14-18 23-14 19. 16-23 25-22 20. 6-9 (23-26 draws, in a similar way) 22-18 21. 12-16 24-19 22. 16-20 19-15 23. 20-24 15-11 24. 24-27 14-10 25. 9-14 18-9 26. 5-14 32-28 27. 13-17 28-24 28. 27-32 24-20 29. 23-27 20-16 30. 17-22 11-7 31. 22-25 16-12 32. 27-31 10-6 33. 25-30 7-3 34. 14-18 21-17 (all of the pieces king, for a simple draw) 35. 18-22 17-13 36. 22-25 13-9 37. 25-29 12-8 38. 29-25 8-4 39. 30-26 4-8 40. 31-27 8-12 41. 27-23 9-5 42. 32-27 3-7 43. 25-22 12-16 44. 22-18 7-3 45. 27-24 6-2 46. 24-19 16-11 47. 18-14 11-8 48. 26-22 8-4 49. 19-24 3-8 50. 14-10 8-12 51. 23-18 4-8 52. 18-23 12-16 53. 24-19 8-12 54. 22-17 16-11 55. 23-18 5-1 56. 17-21 11-8 57. 21-25 8-3 58. 10-14 12-8 1/2-1/2

Board #3 - joe11 [Scotland] -vs- Jim Loy [USA], score: 0-0-4

[Comment: "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?action?stage=1&game=15300019905156"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.23"]
[Black "Jim Loy"]
[White "joes11"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
1. 11-15 23-19 2. 8-11 22-17 3. 9-13 17-14 4. 10-17 21-14 (Laird and Lady) 5. 15-18 19-15 (or 26-23 or 24-20) 6. 4-8* 24-19 7. 6-10 (or 13-17) 15-6 8. 1-17 25-22* (26-22 is published to lose, but Patricia Breen drew against R. Beckwith in the 2001 USA vs. UK Match) 9. 18-25 30-14 10. 2-6 (or 13-17) 29-25 11. 11-16 (or 6-10) 26-23 (14-9 is a published loss) 12. 6-10?! (not good, but I just had to try this trap; 13-17 or 7-10 PP) 28-24* (25-21?? loses, A. Anderson - J. Wyllie, in Kear's Encycl.) 13. 10-17 24-20 14. 8-11* 19-15 15. 11-18 20-2 16. 17-22 23-14 17. 22-29 14-10 18. 5-9 2-6(A) 19. 12-16 6-2 20. 9-14 2-7 21. 14-17 7-11 22. 16-20 10-6 23. 29-25 6-1 24. 25-21 (other moves may draw, but this seems most efficient) 1-6 25. 17-22 6-9 26. 22-25 9-14 27. 25-29 27-24 (I think the draw is not difficult, with or without this trade) 28. 20-27 31-24 29. 13-17 24-19 30. 17-22 1/2-1/2 (neither of us saw any hope of a WW)

A - More aggressive is: 10-6 9-14 6-1 14-17 1-6 29-25 (draw, J. Drummond) 6-10 17-22 2-7 12-16 7-11 16-20 11-16 25-21 10-14 25-22 16-19 25-30 19-15 30-25 15-18 13-17 18-23 25-30 14-9 17-22 9-14 22-25 31-26 25-29 26-22 29-25 14-18 3-7 22-17 21-14 18-9 25-22* draw, Elam's Checker Board (ECB), g.7733

[Comment: "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?action?stage=1&game=15300019905155"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.23"]
[Black "joes11"]
[White "Jim Loy"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
1. 11-15 23-19 2. 8-11 22-17 3. 9-14 25-22 4. 6-9 17-13 5. 2-6 (if you want to play the Souter, this is the way to get into it, as White probably won't avoid it) 29-25 6. 4-8 24-20 7. 15-24 28-19 8. 11-15 27-24 9. 14-17 21-14 10. 9-18 26-23 11. 18-27 32-23 12. 10-14 19-10 13. 6-15 13-9 14. 14-18 23-14 15. 7-10 14-7 16. 3-10 25-21 (30-26 5-14 25-21 = same) 17. 5-14 30-26 18. 1-6 22-17 19. 8-11 26-23 20. 15-18 (6-9 loses, PP) 24-19 21. 18-27 31-24 22. 14-18 17-14 23. 10-17 21-14 24. 18-23 14-10 1/2-1/2 (F. Tescheleit - J. Strudwick)

[Comment: "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?action?stage=1&game=15300019905136"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.23"]
[Black "Jim Loy"]
[White "joes11"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
1. 11-16 23-18 2. 8-11 26-23 (= 11-16 22-18 8-11 26-22) 3. 16-20 24-19 4. 4-8 22-17 (or 28-24) 5. 9-14 18-9 6. 5-14 25-22 (or 30-26 or 28-24) 7. 11-15 30-26 8. 15-24 28-19 9. 8-11 22-18 10. 1-5 18-9 11. 5-14 19-16 12. 12-19 23-16(A) 13. 11-15 29-25 14. 6-9 17-13 15. 15-18 13-6 16. 2-9 32-28 (26-23 draws, W. Strickland, in Kear's Encycl.) 17. 9-13 26-22 18. 10-15 28-24 19. 14-17 21-14 20. 13-17 22-13 21. 7-11 16-7 22. 3-17 25-21 23. 17-22 13-9 24. 22-26 1/2-1/2 (L. Head, in Master Play)

My opponent commented that he lost this ending from the Red side, in a cross board tourney. It was much easier for me, as I was reading these moves from a book.

A - transposes to 10-15 23-18 12-16 26-23 16-19 23-16 11-20 18-11 8-15 24-19 15-24 28-19 4-8 22-18 9-14 18-9 5-14 25-22 6-10 22-17 8-11 19-16 1-6 30-26

[Comment: "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?action?stage=1&game=15300019905135"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.23"]
[Black "joes11"]
[White "Jim Loy"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
1. 11-16 23-18 2. 8-11 18-14 (the recommended attack) 3. 9-18 22-8 4. 4-11 26-23 (or 24-20 or 25-22) 5. 16-20 (or 5-9 first) 24-19 (or 25-22) 6. 5-9 (or 10-14 or 11-15) 25-22 7. 11-15 30-26 8. 15-24 28-19 9. 9-13 29-25 10. 1-5 (or 10-14) 23-18 11. 10-14 (or 10-15) 18-9 12. 5-14 26-23 13. 6-10 22-18 14. 14-17 21-14 15. 10-17 25-21 16. 17-22 19-15 17. 22-25 15-10 18. 7-14 18-9 (V. Dowsey reached this position four times in the 1986 I-D ty.) 19. 12-16(A) 23-18(B) 20. 25-30 18-15 21. 16-19(C) (I actually thought that this move lost a piece) 15-10 22. 30-25 32-28 (seems best) 23. 25-22 10-7 24. 2-11 27-24 25. 20-27 31-8 26. 3-12 28-24 (looking for a win) 27. 22-18 24-19* 28. 18-14 9-6 29. 13-17 (others draw, but White has the move; so Red shouldn't goof around too much) 6-2 30. 17-22 19-15 1/2-1/2

A - Given a star to draw by J. Clayton, in Midwest Checkers (12/85), but my computer suggests that other moves draw: 25-30 23-19 (suggested by R. Fortman in the 1986 I-D booklet; Dowsey won three times with 9-5 30-25 5-1 25-22 1-5, which probably draws) 3-7 9-5 30-25 5-1 7-10 1-5 2-7 5-9 13-17 draw. Clayton's 12-16 may be safest.

B - I thought this was strong, but 9-5-1-5-9 is stronger, R. Burroughs - V. Dowsey (a draw), 1986 I-D and R. Fortman - V. Dowsey (a WW) also shown in the 1986 I-D booklet. I didn't find these games until after my game was over.

C - The immobility of Red's King is an illusion. The following gives White some rope with which to hang himself: 30-25 9-5 25-22 27-23* (15-10? 16-19 RW) 20-24 32-28 16-19 (or 24-27 draw) draw

Board #4 - Dennis Pawlek [Germany] -vs- JACK KX [USA], score: 0-1-3

[Comment: "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?a?s=7&g=15300019926592"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.24"]
[Black "Dennis Pawlek"]
[White "JACK KX"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
1. 11-15 22-17 2. 8-11 23-19 (17-14, the Dyke, is also popular) 3. 9-13 17-14 4. 10-17 21-14 (Laird and Lady) 5. 15-18 24-20 (or 19-15 or 26-23) 6. 4-8 (or 3-8) 27-23 (or 28-24) 7. 18-27 32-23 8. 11-15 (more popular than 6-10) 19-10 9. 6-15 23-18 10. 15-22 26-17 (as far as I know, no one has ever played this move, which seems to draw) 11. 13-22 25-18 12. 8-11 28-24 13. 7-10 (1-6 29-25 7-10 or 6-10 or 6-9 all probably draw) 14-7 14. 3-10 24-19 15. 2-6 30-26 16. 10-15 19-10 17. 6-22 26-17 18. 5-9 31-27 19. 1-6 1/2-1/2 (they could play on, but both sides are relatively safe)

[Comment: "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?action?stage=7&game=15300019926591"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.24"]
[Black "JACK KX"]
[White "Dennis Pawlek"]
[Result "1-0"]
1. 11-15 23-19 2. 8-11 22-17 3. 4-8 (Old Fourteenth) 25-22 4. 9-13 27-23 (17-14? 10-17 19-10 is into the Black Doctor gambit, and is published to draw) 5. 6-9 23-18 6. 9-14 18-9 7. 5-14 26-23 8. 1-6 (2-6 may draw, Lees' Guide and elsewhere) 23-18? (may lose, although it is published to draw narrowly; 30-25 PP) 9. 14-23 17-14 10. 10-26 19-1 11. 12-16 31-22 12. 23-27 32-23 13. 16-19 24-15 14. 11-27 1-5 15. 27-31 (or 27-32 prevents 22-17, if that is preferred) 22-18? (30-25 may lose; or 22-17 13-22 30-26 drew but may lose, Schmook - Ingram, Badger Checker Player, g.3510-5; but these offer more hope than does 22-18) 16. 31-27 18-14 17. 27-23 5-9 18. 7-10 14-7 19. 3-10 29-25 (an eventual 30-35 looks better, but it probably loses too, as I don't think White will get a second king) 20. 23-18 30-26 21. 8-12 28-24 22. 10-15 26-22 23. 18-23 9-14 24. 2-7 14-9 25. 23-27 24-20 26. 27-23 9-14 27. 15-19 14-9 28. 19-24 9-14 29. 24-27 14-9 30. 7-11 9-14 31. 23-19 14-10 32. 27-31 10-14 33. 19-15 14-9 34. 12-16 9-14 35. 16-19 14-9 36. 19-23 9-14 37. 31-27 14-9 38. 23-26 9-6 39. 26-30 6-9 40. 27-23 9-14 41. 23-26 1-0 (a carefully played win)

[Comment: "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?action?stage=7&game=15300019926587"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.24"]
[Black "JACK KX"]
[White "Dennis Pawlek"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
1. 9-13 23-19 2. 5-9 22-18 (or 27-23) 3. 11-15 (better than 10-14) 18-11 4. 8-15 (or 7-23) 25-22 ("26-22 is the only attack of merit," R. Fortman, BC) 5. 9-14 27-23 6. 4-8 24-20 7. 15-24 28-19 8. 8-11(A) 22-18 9. 1-5(B) 18-9 10. 5-14(C) (R. Pask's Key Landing #7) 29-25(D) 11. 11-15 (or 14-17 PP) 32-28 (or 19-16 PP) 12. 15-24 28-19 13. 7-11 19-16 14. 12-19 23-7 15. 2-11 26-23 (25-22 is the popular move) 16. 3-8 25-22(E) 17. 10-15 30-26 18. 15-18 22-15 19. 11-27 31-24 20. 8-11 26-23 21. 6-10 1/2-1/2

The final position is R. D. Yates vs. R. Martins, Lees' Guide p.38, v.3, C.R. (colors reversed).

A - = 9-14 24-19 11-15 28-24 8-11 22-18 15-22 25-9 5-14 29-25 6-9 25-22 9-13 24-20 C.R.

B - Now a Defiance, C.R.: 11-15 23-19 9-14 27-23 8-11 22-18 15-22 25-9 5-14 29-25 6-9 25-22 9-13 24-20 11-15 32-27

C - = 9-13 24-20 5-9 27-24 11-15 22-17 13-22 25-11 8-15 29-25 9-14 25-22 6-9 24-19 15-24 28-19 9-13 32-27 C.R.

D - = 9-14 24-19 11-15 28-24 8-11 22-18 15-22 25-9 5-14 24-20 4-8 29-25 11-15 32-28 15-24 28-19 6-9 25-22 9-13 C.R.

E - = 10-14 22-18 11-15 18-11 8-15 24-19 15-24 28-19 6-10 25-22 4-8 27-24 8-11 24-20 9-13 22-18 1-6 18-9 5-14 29-25 11-15 32-28 15-24 28-19 7-11 19-16 12-19 23-7 2-11 25-22 3-8 26-23

I had a pile of open books six inches deep, tracking down some of these transpositions. There are many other ways to get into the above Defiance positions.

[Comment: "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?action?stage=7&game=15300019926588"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.24"]
[Black "Dennis Pawlek"]
[White "JACK KX"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
1. 9-13 23-19 2. 5-9 22-18 3. 10-14 (W. Hellman's Paxton Defense; "Unnecessarily difficult for Black," R. Pask) 27-23 (= 9-13 23-19 10-14 27-23 5-9 22-18) 4. 6-10 (= 9-13 23-19 6-9 27-23 9-14 22-18 5-9) 25-22 5. 1-5* (R. Pask's Key Landing #17) 31-27 (many different moves have been played here) 6. 11-15 18-11 7. 8-15 23-18 8. 14-23 27-11 9. 7-23 26-19 10. 9-14 (2-6 J. Childers - T. Sheehan, 1994 I-D) 19-16 11. 12-19 24-6 12. 2-9 29-25 13. 4-8 28-24 14. 8-11 24-19 15. 3-8 19-15 16. 11-18 22-15 17. 8-12 15-11 18. 12-16 11-7 19. 16-19 7-2 20. 19-23 2-7 21. 23-27 32-23 22. 14-17 21-14 23. 9-27 7-10 24. 5-9 10-15 25. 9-14 15-19 1/2-1/2

The game has converged to P. Davis - H. Devlin, 1989 USA vs. GB Match, same opening, but different order of moves for most of the game.

Board #5 - George Miller [UK] -vs- KreeL [USA], score: 0-1-3

[Comment: "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?action?stage=7&game=15300019899409"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.23"]
[Black "KreeL"]
[White "George Miller"]
[Result "1-0"]
1. 9-14 22-18 2. 5-9 25-22 (or 24-19) 3. 11-16 24-19 (or 18-15) 4. 8-11 22-17 5. 9-13 18-9 6. 13-22 26-17 7. 6-22 30-26 8. 11-15 26-17 9. 15-24 28-19 10. 4-8 29-25 11. 2-6 (rare; 8-11 is most popular, and is recommended in the books) 17-14 12. 10-17 21-14 13. 7-10 14-7 14. 3-10 27-24 (25-21 was played to a draw, F. Brown - G. Bonar, 1903 Scottish Ty.) 15. 16-20 23-18? (25-22 or 25-21 draw) 16. 20-27 32-23 (31-24 also loses) 17. 8-11 (transposing to a RW in Lees' Guide) 25-22 18. 6-9 31-27 (22-17 loses in Lees' Guide, p.48, note q) 19. 1-5 1-0 (it just takes one mistake)

[Comment: "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?action?stage=7&game=15300019899410"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.23"]
[Black "George Miller"]
[White "KreeL"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
1. 11-15 21-17 (the weakest move, but seemingly more popular than 24-20 or 24-19) 2. 9-13 (the Switcher, which is strong for Red) 25-21 3. 8-11 30-25 (the Andrew Jackson defense, which may be more popular than the older 17-14) 4. 4-8 24-19* 5. 15-24 28-19 6. 11-15 (or 11-16) 17-14* 7. 15-24 27-20 8. 10-17 21-14 9. 13-17[easy draw?; 8-11 (PP draw) or 6-9 (PP draw) are more aggressive]
22-13 10. 6-9 13-6 11. 2-27 31-24 12. 8-11 25-22 (24-19 draws in F. Tescheleit's Master Play, p.341F) 13. 7-10 24-19 (White must exercise a small amount of care to prevent Red from kinging prematurely) 14. 5-9 29-25 15. 1-5 22-18 16. 10-14 26-23 17. 9-13 18-9 18. 5-14 25-22 19. 14-17 22-18 20. 17-22 32-27 21. 22-26 19-16 22. 12-19 23-7 23. 3-10 20-16 24. 26-31 27-23 25. 31-27 (sets a trap) 1/2-1/2.

This final position came up in the following game (colors reversed), where Red fell into the trap on the very next move (Andrew Jackson was a strong Scottish player):

[Event "Scotland v England 1910"]
[Black "Jackson,A"]
[White "Kear,JA"]
[Result "0-1"]
9-13 23-19 10-14 22-17 13-22 25-9 5-14 29-25 6-10 25-22 11-15 27-23 7-11 22-17 11-16 26-22 16-20 30-26 20-27 31-24 8-11 24-20 15-24 28-19 11-15 32-28 15-24 28-19 4-8 17-13 8-11 22-18 1-5 18-9 5-14 19-16 12-19 23-7 2-11 26-23 11-15 13-9 3-7 9-6 14-17 21-14 10-17 6-2 7-10 2-6 (above position, C.R.) 10-14? (17-21* 20-16 10-14 draw) 6-9 15-18 9-13 18-27 13-22 27-31 20-16 31-27 16-11 27-24 11-7 24-19 7-2 19-15 2-7 0-1

[Comment: "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?action?stage=7&game=15300019899420"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.23"]
[Black "KreeL"]
[White "George Miller"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
1. 12-16 21-17 2. 9-14 (unfortunately, my Lambert's 12-16 21-17 9-14 has not arrived in the mail, yet; I ordered it last winter, and got the wrong book) 17-13 (considered safer than 24-19, the popular and bewildering Minotaur) 3. 16-19 24-15 (considered stronger than 23-16) 4. 10-19 23-16 5. 11-20 (= 12-16 21-17 16-19 24-15 10-19 23-16 11-20 17-13 9-14) 26-23 (or 25-21) 6. 7-10 (8-11 is the most popular, see Fortman's Basic Checkers at http://home.clara.net/davey/) 22-18 7. 3-7 (8-11 is back to the main line) 18-9 8. 5-14 25-22 (23-19 drew, B. Vanderpool - T. Sheehan, 2000 I-D) 9. 14-18 (looks easiest) 22-15 10. 10-26 30-23 11. 7-10 (6-10 draws) 23-18 12. 8-11 29-25 (or 18-15 as played next move) 13. 4-8 18-15 14. 10-19 (or 11-18 draw) 27-24 15. 20-27 32-7 16. 2-11 25-22 17. 11-15 31-27 18. 15-18 22-15 19. 6-9* 1/2-1/2

[Comment: "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?action?stage=7&game=15300019899421"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.23"]
[Black "George Miller"]
[White "KreeL"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
1. 12-16 21-17 2. 9-14 17-13 3. 16-19 (or 16-20) 24-15 (or 23-16) 4. 10-19 23-16 5. 11-20 (= 12-16 21-17 16-19 24-15 10-19 23-16 11-20 17-13 9-14) 26-23 (or 25-21) 6. 7-10 (or 8-11 is more popular) 28-24 (new?; for 22-18, see the previous game) 7. 8-11 22-18 8. 4-8 18-9 9. 5-14 25-22 10. 14-17 (or 10-15) 31-26 (or 22-18) 11. 8-12 22-18 12. 17-21 29-25 13. 12-16 25-22 (Nemesis falls for 13-9? 6-13 24-19 10-15 19-10 2-6 R. strong?) 14. 10-15 18-14 15. 16-19 23-7 16. 3-17 27-23 17. 20-27 23-18 18. 27-31 18-11 19. 6-10 (or 1-5 11-8 21-25 draw) 11-8 20. 10-15 8-3 21. 15-19 32-28 (3-8 19-23 draw) 22. 1-6 3-8 23. 2-7 8-3 24. 7-10 3-8 (30-25 21-30 3-7 is a cute draw) 25. 10-14 8-11 26. 31-27 11-7 (not 11-15?? 19-23 RW) 27. 19-23 26-19 (I suspect that the draw is easy now) 28. 17-26 30-23 29. 27-18 7-2 30. 6-10 2-7 31. 18-23 13-9 (19-16 is the more obvious draw, but this trades pieces) 32. 23-16 9-5 33. 16-19 7-11 34. 19-23 5-1 35. 14-17 1-6 36. 10-14 11-15 37. 23-26 6-9 38. 17-22 9-18-25 39. 21-30 28-24 1/2-1/2

Board #6 - KiwinurseO [New Zealand] -vs- John [USA], score: 0-0-4

[Comment: "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?a?s=7&g=15300019905033"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.23"]
[Black "kiwinurse0"]
[White "John"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
1. 11-15 23-19 2. 8-11 22-17 3. 11-16 (Glasgow) 24-20 4. 15-24 20-11 5. 7-16 27-11 6. 3-7 28-24 7. 7-16 24-20 8. 16-19 25-22 9. 9-14 29-25 10. 4-8 22-18 11. 14-23 17-14 12. 10-17 1/2-1/2 (PP)

Drawish, because it is so well known and popular, but in the 2000 WCM (game 18), R. King (as Red) defeated A. Moiseyev, from this position. This variation is called Martin's Rest, as R. Martins used it repeatedly to get easy draws.

[Comment: "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?action?stage=7&game=15300019905032"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.23"]
[Black "John"]
[White "kiwinurse0"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
1. 11-15 23-18 (Cross) 2. 8-11 27-23 3. 4-8 23-19 4. 9-14 (or 10-14) 18-9 5. 5-14 22-17 6. 15-18 (or 6-9 PP) 26-22 7. 11-15 (10-15 or 18-23 are also published to draw) 17-13 8. 7-11 22-17 (or 13-9 PP) 9. 2-7 31-27(A) 10. 1-5 (11-16 loses, PP) 30-26 11. 11-16 27-23* 12. 18-27 32-23 13. 14-18 (my computer suggests 7-11 as an alternative draw) 23-14 14. 16-30 13-9 (a relatively easy draw by J. Sturges in both Lees' Guide and Kear's Encyclopedia) 15. 6-22 25-2 16. 10-17 21-14 17. 8-11[12-16 (or 30-26 Colossus - J. Reade in 1996) 14-10 16-20 24-19 30-26 19-15 26-22 is apparently the Sturges draw] 2-6 18. 12-16 14-10 19. 11-15 24-20 20. 16-19 6-2 21. 19-24 28-19 22. 15-24 10-6 23. 5-9 6-1 24. 9-14 1-6 25. 14-17 20-16 1/2-1/2

A - 32-27 (more popular, probably because of the following shot) 1-5 24-20 15-24 28-19 11-15 27-23 18-27 (15-24 loses, A. Tucker - L. Balderson, 2003 US Nat. GAYP Ty.) 31-24 7-11 30-26 15-18 26-22 11-15? (3-7 draws PP) 20-16 3-7 13-9 6-13 24-20 15-24 22-6 0-1, a famous shot by R. Martins

[Comment: "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?action?stage=7&game=15300019910519"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.24"]
[Black "kiwinurse0"]
[White "John"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
1. 9-14 23-18 (the Double Cross, a tough opening for White) 2. 14-23 27-18 3. 5-9 (or 12-16 or 11-15 or others) 26-23 4. 11-15 (or 12-16) 18-11 5. 8-15 22-18 (seems to be automatic) 6. 15-22 25-18 7. 4-8 29-25 8. 8-11 25-22 (32-27 may be better, although 25-22 has been played often) 9. 11-16 24-19 10. 7-11 28-24 11. 16-20 31-26 ("R. strong" in Tinsley's analysis in ICHF newsletter) 12. 20-27 19-15 13. 10-19 23-7 14. 2-11 (3-10 may be stronger, S. Weslow - A. Huggins, 1967 World Mail Championships, g.16, and some I-D mail games) 32-23 15. 6-10 23-19 16. 9-14 (other moves draw, too) 18-9 17. 11-15 19-16 18. 12-19 26-23 19. 19-26 30-23 20. 10-14 22-17 21. 15-18 17-10 22. 18-27 (this position has been seen before, and is an easy draw) 9-6 23. 27-31 6-2 24. 31-26 2-7 25. 26-22 7-11 26. 22-18 11-7 1/2-1/2

[Comment: "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?action?stage=7&game=15300019910520"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.24"]
[Black "John"]
[White "kiwinurse0"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
1. 9-14 23-18 2. 14-23 27-18 3. 12-16 18-14 4. 10-17 21-14 5. 6-9 14-10(A) 6. 7-14 22-18 7. 14-23 26-12 8. 11-15 25-22 9. 8-11 29-25 (24-19 has a better reputation) 10. 11-16 30-26 (Nemesis suggests that 32-27 is better) 11. 4-8 32-27 (new? 26-23 is published to draw, with lots of published play) 12. 8-11 24-20 13. 9-14(B) 26-23 14. 5-9 (1-6 27-24 6-10 24-19 15-24 28-19 2-6 22-18 14-17 = note B) 27-24 15. 2-7 (9-13 may be interesting) 24-19 16. 15-24 28-19 17. 7-10 22-18 18. 14-17 19-15 19. 10-26 31-6 20. 1-10 25-21 21. 10-15 18-14 (seems to be an easy draw) 22. 16-19 14-10 23. 19-24 10-6 24. 15-18 6-2 25. 18-22 2-6 26. 11-15 6-10 27. 15-19 10-15 28. 22-26 20-16 29. 26-31 16-11 30. 19-23 11-8 31. 24-28 1/2-1/2

A - 32-27 has been rather popular cross board, but 14-10 is way more popular by mail. My guess is that 32-27 is weaker, but requires less study, being a narrower line. Mail players can choose the stronger defence, as they can look up the published play as they go.

B - Nemesis suggests 1-6! (2-6 seems to draw) 27-24 6-10 26-23 9-13 (9-14 is into the next note in the above game) 24-19 (25-21 loses) 15-24 28-19 2-6 22-18 13-17 25-21 (25-22 loses) 17-22 21-17 5-9 31-27 22-25 18-15 11-18 20-11 18-22 11-7, a miracle draw.

Board #7 - Andre de Konning [Netherlands] -vs- Raymond Faircloth [USA], score: 1-0-3

[Comment "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?a?s=7&g=15300019898828"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.23"]
[Black "Andre de Koning"]
[White "Raymond Faircloth"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
1. 9-14 24-20 2. 11-15 22-18 3. 15-22 25-9 4. 5-14 29-25 5. 8-11 (or 7-11 PP) 25-22 6. 10-15 (or 4-8 PP) 22-17 (or 27-24 PP) 7. 6-10 (7-10 is better) 26-22 (I don't see anything published on this. 28-24 PP) 8. 15-19 (simplest, allowing the shot) 23-16 9. 12-19 20-16 10. 11-20 27-24 11. 20-27 31-6 12. 1-10 32-27 13. 4-8 27-23 14. 10-15 17-10 15. 7-14 22-17 16. 15-18 17-10 17. 18-27 21-17 18. 8-11 17-13 19. 11-15 10-6 (the simplest draw, not 13-9 15-18 9-5? RW as 5-1 loses the piece) 20. 2-9 13-6 21. 15-19 30-25 22. 27-31 25-21 23. 3-8 21-17 24. 8-12 1/2-1/2

[Comment "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?a?s=7&g=15300019898827"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.23"]
[Black "Raymond Faircloth"]
[White "Andre de Koning"]
[Result "0-1"]
1. 11-15 23-19 2. 8-11 22-17 3. 11-16 (Glasgow) 24-20 4. 16-23 27-11 5. 7-16 20-11 6. 3-7 28-24 7. 7-16 24-20 8. 16-19 25-22 9. 4-8 29-25 10. 10-15 (9-14 is the most popular) 17-13 11. 9-14? (2-7 PP or 8-11 PP) 22-17? (may win, but 20-16 2-7 22-18 is the published WW) 12. 15-18? (loses a piece; 6-10 13-9 1-6 17-13 19-23 may survive) 17-10 13. 6-15 21-17 14. 2-7 32-27 15. 19-24 26-23 16. 24-28 23-14 17. 15-18 20-16 18. 12-19 27-23 19. 19-26 31-15 20. 7-11 15-10 21. 11-16 25-21 22. 28-32 13-9 23. 32-27 10-6 24. 1-10 14-7 25. 5-14 17-10 26. 27-23 21-17 27. 8-12 17-13 28. 16-19 13-9 29. 19-24 9-5 30. 24-27 30-25 31. 23-18 25-21 32. 27-31 21-17 33. 12-16 17-13 34. 16-19 7-2 35. 19-24 5-1 36. 24-28 13-9 37. 28-32 9-5 38. 31-27 1-6 39. 27-23 5-1 40. 32-27 10-7 41. 23-19 6-10 42. 18-23 7-3 43. 27-31 2-7 44. 19-24 3-8 45. 24-20 8-12 0-1 (If White is careful, as he has been so far, the win should not be too difficult. He will crowd Red toward the edge, and then a trade, and/or a winning sacrifice, should be available)

[Comment: "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?a?s=7&g=15300019898833"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.23"]
[Black "Raymond Faircloth"]
[White "Andre de Koning"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
1. 12-16 22-18 2. 16-20 25-22 3. 10-14 (8-12 PP) 24-19 4. 6-10 (or 8-12 PP) 29-25 (or 22-17 PP) 5. 11-15 (or 1-6 D. Oldbury - R. Hallett, 1991 WCM) 18-11 6. 8-24 28-19 7. 4-8 22-18 8. 9-13? (8-12 draws, J. Kears - J. Ferrie, 1910 Scotland vs. England) 18-9 9. 5-14 25-22 10. 8-11 22-18(A) 11. 1-5 18-9 12. 5-14 23-18 (26-22 14-17 draws) 13. 14-23 27-18 14. 10-15 (11-15 is similar) 19-10 15. 7-23 26-19 16. 2-6 30-26 (31-27 draws) 17. 6-10 21-17 18. 13-22 26-17 19. 11-15 19-16 20. 15-18 16-11 21. 10-15 17-14 22. 18-22 14-10 23. 22-25 11-7 24. 15-18 7-2 25. 18-22 32-28 26. 25-30 10-6 27. 30-26 28-24 28. 20-27 31-24 29. 26-23 6-1 30. 22-26 24-20 31. 26-31 1-6 32. 3-8 (or Red can leave the piece here) 20-16 33. 8-12 16-11 34. 12-16 11-7 35. 16-20 7-3 1/2-1/2

A - 23-18! (planning 18-14, is very strong, and may win) 14-23 27-18 11-15 (or 20-24 18-14 WW? or 2-6 18-14 WW? or 10-15 WW?) 18-11 7-23 26-19 2-7 30-26 10-14 26-23 7-10 19-16 WW?

[Comment: "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?a?s=7&g=15300019898834"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.23"]
[Black "Andre de Koning"]
[White "Raymond Faircloth"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
1. 12-16 22-18 2. 16-20 25-22 3. 10-14 (8-12 PP) 29-25 4. 7-10? (weak, 8-12 PP) 18-15 (played by Joan Caws in the 1993 English Open, and would seem to be the power move) 5. 11-18 22-15 6. 10-19 24-15 7. 9-13 23-18 8. 14-23 27-18 9. 8-12 25-22 10. 3-7 26-23 11. 12-16 (may be best?) 32-27 (15-11 draws) 12. 7-10 30-26 (15-11 draws) 13. 10-19 27-24 (18-15 6-10 or 13-17! draws) 14. 20-27 31-15 15. 6-9 21-17 16. 2-7 17-14 17. 7-11 (or 4-8 15-10 8-11 easy draw) 15-8 18. 4-11 14-10 19. 9-14* (Red has done a very good job of saving his game) 18-9 20. 5-14 22-18 (10-7 draws) 21. 1-5 18-9 22. 5-14 26-22 23. 11-15 10-6 24. 15-19 22-18 25. 19-26 18-9 26. 16-19 6-2 27. 26-31 2-7 28. 13-17 7-11 29. 17-21 1/2-1/2

Board #8 - bernardcoll [Ireland] -vs- Corey Modich [USA], score: 4-0-0

[Comment: "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?a?s=7&g=15300019903261"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.23"]
[Black "bernardcoll"]
[White "Corey Modich"]
[Result "1-0"]
1. 11-15 22-17 2. 15-19 (the Dyke, which is aggressive and fairly strong for Red; see any opening book, or 11-16 22-17 16-19 in Kear's Encycl.) 23-16 3. 12-19 24-15 4. 10-19 25-22 5. 8-11 29-25? (natural but weak; 30-25 PP or 27-23 PP) 6. 11-15 17-13 7. 4-8 27-23* 8. 8-12 23-16 9. 12-19 31-27 10. 7-10 27-24?(A) (natural but loses) 11. 2-7 22-17 12. 9-14 26-23 13. 19-26 30-23 14. 15-18 24-19 15. 18-27 32-23 16. 7-11 25-22 17. 11-15 28-24 18. 5-9 22-18 19. 15-22 1-0

A - 21-17* 2-7 27-23 19-24 (9-14 R. strong?) 28-19 15-24 23-18 7-11 17-14 (18-14 seems to draw) 10-17 25-21 3-7 (E. Churchill's 11-15 draws) 21-14 24-28 22-17 11-16 26-22 16-19 30-26 7-11 14-10 6-15 13-6 1-10 18-14 19-23 draw W. Ryan, Trick Traps and Shots, p.24C

[Comment: "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?a?s=7&g=15300019903260"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.23"]
[Black "Corey Modich"]
[White "bernardcoll"]
[Result "0-1"]
1. 11-15 23-19 2. 9-13 (Will o the Wisp) 22-18 3. 15-22 25-18 4. 10-14 (most popular) 18-9 5. 5-14 27-23 6. 8-11 26-22 7. 6-10 22-18 8. 1-5 18-9 9. 5-14 29-25 10. 11-15 (a well-known position) 25-22 11. 14-17 21-14 12. 10-26 19-10 13. 7-14 31-22 14. 14-17 22-18 15. 12-16 (may lose; 17-22 and 13-17 draws, A. Anderson) 24-19 16. 16-20 18-14 17. 17-22 14-9 18. 22-26 23-18 19. 26-31 19-15 (9-5 or 18-14 may win) 20. 3-8 (2-7! 18-14 7-11 9-6 3-8 6-2 8-12 2-6 11-16 seems to draw) 18-14 21. 2-7 15-10 22. 7-11 10-7 23. 8-12 7-3 24. 11-16 3-7 25. 16-19 (4-8 7-10 8-11 puts up some fight, but may lose) 7-11 26. 12-16 11-15 27. 31-26 15-24 28. 20-27 30-23 29. 16-20 23-18 30. 27-31 32-27 31. 31-24 28-19 32. 20-24 19-16 33. 24-27 16-12 34. 27-31 18-15 35. 31-26 15-11 36. 26-22 9-6 37. 22-18 14-9 0-1

[Comment: "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?a?s=7&g=15300019903265"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.23"]
[Black "bernardcoll"]
[White "Corey Modich"]
[Result "1-0"]
1. 9-13 23-18 2. 10-15 18-14 (27-23 is most popular, or 26-23) 3. 6-9 26-23 4. 9-18 23-14 5. 15-18 (or 12-16 PP) 22-15 6. 11-18 24-19 (30-26 8-11 24-20 draws, PP) 7. 8-11 19-15? (apparently, 25-22 is better) 8. 4-8 31-26? (this loses, according to Nemesis; 28-24 may draw) 9. 11-16 26-22 10. 16-19 21-17 11. 1-6 27-24 12. 19-23 24-20 13. 23-26 30-23 14. 18-27 32-23 15. 7-10 14-7 16. 3-26 17-14 17. 26-30 1-0

[Comment: "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?a?s=7&g=15300019903264"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.23"]
[Black "Corey Modich"]
[White "bernardcoll"]
[Result "0-1"]
1. 9-13 23-18 2. 10-15 27-23 3. 6-9? (= 9-13 23-18 6-9 27-23 10-15 and is weak; 6-10 is most popular) 32-27 4. 7-10 (= 9-13 23-18 10-15 27-23 7-10 32-27 6-9; 1-6 PP) 18-14 5. 10-17 (9-18 may draw, PP) 21-14 6. 9-18 23-14 7. 12-16[3-7 25-21 (24-19 may be stronger) 15-18 22-15 11-18 24-19 WW, N. Rubin, Mount Sterling Advocate (MSA), 8/1/39, but Red seems to have a draw] 24-20 8. 8-12 (everything loses?) 27-23 9. 2-7 14-10 (White will king, and Red will not; the game is essentially over) 10. 7-14 22-18 11. 15-22 26-10 12. 5-9 25-22 13. 9-14 22-18 14. 14-17 18-14 15. 17-21 14-9 16. 13-17 9-6 17. 1-5 6-1 18. 5-9 1-6 19. 9-13 29-25 20. 3-8 6-9 21. 11-15 20-11 22. 17-22 25-18 23. 15-22 11-7 24. 8-11 9-14 25. 22-25 14-18 26. 25-29 18-22 27. 11-16 7-3 28. 16-20 23-19 29. 4-8 19-15 0-1

Board #9 - Bill Ferguson [Scotland] -vs- gst_favian [USA], score: 1-0-3

[Comment: "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?action?stage=7&game=15300019946793"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.25"]
[Black "gst_favian"]
[White "Bill Ferguson"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
1. 11-15 23-19 2. 8-11 22-17 3. 9-13 17-14 4. 10-17 19-10 (the Black Doctor, a difficult gambit) 5. 7-14 25-22 (or 27-23) 6. 4-8 29-25? (loses, although given to draw in Lees' Guide; 27-23 draws) 7. 2-7 (3-7 draw PP) 27-23 8. 6-10?(A) 31-27? (24-20 draw PP) 9. 11-16! (may improve PP; others draw) 24-20 10. 16-19 23-16 11. 12-19 27-23 12. 8-12 23-16 13. 12-19 20-16 14. 19-23 (a fine move; 10-15 also wins) 26-19 15. 17-26 30-23 16. 14-17 (or 1-6) 21-14 17. 10-17 25-21 18. 17-22 23-18 19. 22-26 18-15 20. 26-31 15-11 21. 7-10 11-7 22. 10-14 7-2 23. 31-26 32-27 24. 26-22 19-15 25. 22-18 (or 14-18) 15-10 26. 18-22? (14-17 seems to win) 10-7 (good) 27. 3-10 2-6 28. 10-15 6-10 29. 22-18 10-19 (the draw is easy now, but it makes sense to continue, just to see if there are chances) 30. 13-17 16-11 31. 17-22 19-15 32. 5-9 28-24 33. 9-13 15-19 34. 22-26 24-20 35. 26-30 11-7 36. 30-25 7-3 37. 13-17 19-24 38. 18-15 20-16 39. 25-22 16-11 40. 15-8 3-12 41. 22-18 12-16 42. 17-22 16-11 43. 22-26 11-16 44. 26-30 24-19 45. 30-26 27-24 46. 26-31 24-20 47. 18-23 19-26 48. 31-22 16-19 49. 22-18 20-16 50. 1-5 16-11 51. 5-9 11-7 52. 9-13 7-2 53. 14-17 21-14 1/2-1/2 (It is something of a miracle that White escaped with a draw)

A - 11-15! (11-16 draw PP) 31-27 8-11 24-20 (23-19 RW PP) 14-18 (my computer suggests 12-16 first, which may draw) 23-14 (21-14 6-10 28-24 10-17 23-14 17-21 27-23 7-10 RW J. Janvier in BDP) 15-19 27-24 19-23 26-19 17-26 30-23 13-17 RW J. Stayman in the British Draughts Player (BDP)

[Comment: "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?action?stage=7&game=15300019946794"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.25"]
[Black "Bill Ferguson"]
[White "gst_favian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
1. 9-14 22-18 2. 5-9 25-22 3. 11-16 18-15 4. 10-19 24-15 5. 7-10 (or 16-19 in Basic Checkers and elsewhere) 27-24 6. 10-19 24-15 7. 8-11 (probably new, but seems to be OK; 16-19 or 2-7 PP) 15-8 8. 4-11 28-24 (22-18 16-20 31-27 1-5 28-24 6-10 24-19 2-7 draw?) 9. 16-20 31-27 (or 32-27 draw?) 10. 6-10 29-25? (bad; 24-19 seems to draw) 11. 9-13?(A) 22-18 12. 1-5 18-9 13. 5-14 25-22 14. 3-7 22-18 15. 14-17 21-14 16. 10-17 18-14 (18-15! 11-18 23-14 7-10 14-7 2-11 26-23 WW?) 17. 17-22 26-17 18. 13-22 23-18 (or 14-9 draws) 19. 12-16 14-9 (or 24-19 16-23 14-10 draw) 20. 7-10 9-5 21. 10-15 18-14 22. 16-19 32-28 23. 19-23 (11-16 then 22-26 looks promising, but draws) 27-18 24. 20-27 14-10 25. 15-19 5-1 26. 27-32 1-5 27. 11-16 18-15 28. 32-27 15-11 29. 22-26 30-23 30. 19-26 (the position looks equal) 5-9 31. 16-19 10-7 32. 19-23 7-3 33. 26-30 11-8 34. 23-26 8-4 35. 26-31 4-8 36. 31-26 8-11 37. 26-23 11-15 38. 30-26 3-8 39. 26-31 15-10 40. 31-26 8-12 41. 26-31 12-16 42. 31-26 10-15 43. 26-31 16-20 44. 23-26 28-24 45. 26-22 9-14 46. 22-26 24-19 47. 27-24 20-27 48. 31-24 19-16 49. 26-31 16-11 50. 31-27 11-8 51. 27-32 8-3 52. 32-28 3-8 53. 28-32 8-11 54. 32-28 11-16 55. 28-32 16-20 56. 32-27 14-10 57. 27-31 1/2-1/2

A - 2-7! (may win?) 24-19!(B) 11-15 19-16 12-19 23-16 9-13 32-28! (16-12 loses?) 1-6 16-12 7-11 (15-19 27-23 20-24 23-16 24-27 22-18 draw?) 26-23 11-16 30-26 13-17 22-13 15-19 25-22 10-15 22-17 6-10 13-9 19-24 18-19 15-31 26-22 31-26 22-18 26-19 18-15 draw (I think this draw is solid)

B - 23-18 (it's hard to choose between 22-17 or 23-18 or 24-19 without several hours of study with the computer's help; 22-17 9-13 25-22 1-5 RW?) 14-23 26-19 11-15 21-17 9-13 25-21 7-11 30-26 11-16! (15-18 draw?) RW?

[Comment: "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?action?stage=7&game=15300019946807"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.25"]
[Black "Bill Ferguson"]
[White "gst_favian"]
[Result "1-0"]
1. 9-14 22-18 2. 5-9 (although this was 3-move, this is a popular GAYP opening) 25-22 (or 24-19 or 24-20) 3. 11-16 (preferred) 18-15 4. 10-19 24-15 5. 7-10 (or 16-19) 27-24 6. 10-19 24-15 7. 2-7 (or 16-19) 31-27 8. 7-10 (or 8-11) 15-11 9. 8-15 23-18 10. 14-23 27-11 11. 10-15 (16-19 drew, A. Scott - R. Ward, Kear's Encycl.) 21-17 12. 15-19 (may lose; 16-19 is published to lose; 1-5 is better and may draw) 32-27 (PP; 22-18! inviting the shot or 29-25 may win) 13. 16-20 22-18? (loses a piece to the following shots; 17-13 is published to draw; 26-23 is OK) 14. 3-7 (3-8 11-7 20-24 wins, too) 11-2 15. 9-13 2-9 16. 13-31 18-15 17. 31-24 (White has no hope) 9-14 18. 24-27 14-18 19. 19-23 18-22 20. 27-31 15-10 21. 23-27 10-7 22. 27-32 7-2 23. 32-27 2-7 24. 27-23 7-10 25. 23-19 22-18 26. 19-16 18-22 27. 20-24 28-19 28. 16-23 10-15 29. 23-27 15-11 30. 27-24 22-18 31. 31-27 18-15 32. 1-5 29-25 33. 5-9 30-26 (a good way to resign) 34. 12-16 1-0

These players agreed not to use books, and they happened upon an interesting line.

[Comment: "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?action?stage=7&game=15300019946806&move=83"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.25"]
[Black "gst_favian"]
[White "Bill Ferguson"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
1. 9-14 22-18 2. 5-9 18-15 (the relatively weak Bronx Express, see http://www.jimloy.com/checkers/bronx.htm) 3. 11-18 21-17 4. 14-21 23-5 5. 8-11 (or 12-16) 25-22 6. 11-15 (or 6-9) 24-20 (27-23 draws, J. Robertson) 7. 15-19 (new?; 7-11 should have drawn, W. Gresham - L. Clemans, 1954 US Nat.) 22-18 8. 4-8? (may lose; 3-8 is much better, and probably draws) 27-24 9. 7-11 24-15 10. 10-19 31-27 (29-25! may win) 11. 2-7 27-24 12. 7-10 24-15 13. 10-19 29-25 (or 32-27 draw) 14. 3-7 25-22 15. 7-10 32-27 16. 6-9 22-17 17. 10-15 27-23 (or 26-22 draw) 18. 15-31 23-7 19. 31-27 17-13 20. 9-14 28-24 21. 14-17 7-3 22. 8-11 13-9 23. 27-23 (27-32 draws) 24-19 24. 23-16 3-8 25. 11-15 20-11 (I think the draw is easy, although Nemesis thinks White has a near win) 26. 17-22 11-7 27. 15-19 8-11 28. 19-23 7-3 29. 22-26 3-7 30. 26-31 9-6 (or 7-10 draws) 31. 1-10 7-14 32. 23-27 14-10 33. 27-32 5-1 34. 32-27 1-6 35. 27-24 10-15 36. 31-27 6-10 37. 27-32 10-14 38. 32-27 14-18 39. 12-16 11-20 40. 27-32 20-27 41. 32-14 15-19 42. 14-18 1/2-1/2

Board #10 - hiorta [Scotland] -vs- On The Verge [USA], score: 4-0-0

[Comment: "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?a?s=7&g=15300019890927"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.22"]
[Black "ON THE VERGE"]
[White "hiorta"]
[Result "0-1"]
1. 11-15 23-19 2. 9-13 (Will o' the Wisp) 22-18 3. 15-22 25-18 4. 10-15 (= 9-13 22-18 10-15 23-19 15-22 25-18 11-15; 10-14 or 7-11 are more popular) 18-11 5. 7-23 27-18 6. 8-11 (12-16 is stronger, PP) 29-25 7. 6-10 24-19 (25-22 PP) 8. 2-6 25-22 9. 5-9? (others may draw) 28-24 10. 10-14 19-15 (draws; 26-23 seems to win) 11. 14-23 15-8 12. 4-11 26-19 13. 6-10 22-18? (others draw) 14. 11-16 (12-16!! 19-12 10-15 RW?) 31-26 15. 16-23 26-19 16. 1-6? (the computer says that 1-5! draws) 24-20 (32-27! 10-14 27-23 seems to be a WW) 17. 10-14 18-15 18. 14-18 15-11 19. 18-23 19-15 (11-8 is aggressive, but may draw) 20. 9-14 11-8 21. 14-18 8-4 22. 6-9 4-8? (loses; apparently 12-16 must be played first) 23. 9-14 8-11 24. 23-27 32-23 25. 18-27 15-10 26. 27-31 11-15 27. 31-27 10-6 28. 27-24 6-1 0-1 (plenty of mistakes, but an interesting game)

[Comment: "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?a?s=7&g=15300019890928"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.22"]
[Black "hiorta"]
[White "ON THE VERGE"]
[Result "1-0"]
1. 11-15 23-18 2. 8-11 (Cross) 26-23 (Crescent Cross) 3. 4-8 (or 10-14) 24-19 (30-26 PP) 4. 15-24 28-19 5. 11-16 31-26? (may lose; 22-17 R. Martins - J. Wyllie, 1864 and 1867 matches) 6. 10-14! 18-15 (19-15 seems to lose) 7. 14-18 (or 9-13 RW? or 7-11 RW?) 23-14 8. 9-18 21-17 (26-23 may lose) 9. 16-23 26-19 10. 7-10 30-26 (allows the shot, but White loses anyway) 11. 10-14 17-10 12. 8-11 15-8 13. 6-31 22-15 14. 31-22 25-18 15. 12-16 (White has no chance) 8-4 16. 5-9 29-25 17. 16-19 25-22 18. 9-13 18-14 19. 19-23 14-9 20. 23-26 22-18 21. 26-31 18-14 22. 31-26 15-10 23. 26-23 32-28 24. 23-19 9-5 25. 19-15 14-9 26. 15-6 1-0

[Comment: "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?a?s=7&g=15300019890929"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.22"]
[Black "ON THE VERGE"]
[White "hiorta"]
[Result "0-1"]
1. 10-14 23-19 2. 14-18 (R. Fortman wrote that White's attacks are not critical) 22-15 3. 11-18 21-17 (the most popular attack) 4. 8-11 17-13 5. 4-8 (9-14 PP) 24-20 6. 7-10 (9-14 Kear's Encycl.) 26-23 (new?; looks like a draw; 28-24 PP or 25-21 PP) 7. 10-14 (3-7 may be safer) 30-26 (25-21 may be strong) 8. 14-17! (a fine move) 23-14 9. 9-18 19-16 (others may be better) 10. 12-19 27-23 11. 18-27 32-7 12. 2-11 (or 3-10) 25-22 13. 17-21 22-18? (seems to lose; 25-21 draws) 14. 6-10 26-23 15. 10-15 18-14 16. 15-18 23-19 (others lose?) 17. 1-6? (18-23 RW) 28-24? (19-15 draws) 18. 6-10? (18-23 RW) 14-7 19. 3-10 19-16 20. 11-15 16-12 21. 8-11 12-8 22. 21-25 29-22 23. 18-25 8-3 24. 15-18 3-7 25. 10-15 7-16 26. 18-22 16-19 27. 15-18 31-27 28. 25-30 19-23 0-1

[Comment: "http://www.itsyourturn.com/iyt.dll?a?s=7&g=15300019890930"]
[Event "itsyourturn.com USA vs. World 8/04"]
[Date "2004.08.22"]
[Black "hiorta"]
[White "ON THE VERGE"]
[Result "1-0"]
1. 10-14 23-19 2. 14-18 22-15 3. 11-18 26-23 (rare) 4. 8-11 (new?; seems to work better than the 9-14 draw in Kear's Encycl.) 23-14 5. 9-18 25-22 6. 18-25 29-22 7. 5-9 27-23 8. 7-10 31-26 9. 4-8 23-18 10. 10-14 26-23 11. 6-10? (11-16 draws or 3-7 draws) 24-20 12. 1-5 32-27? (28-24 may win?) 13. 2-7[9-13! 18-9 5-14 22-18?? (20-16 11-20 22-18 draws) 13-17 RW] 27-24? (28-24 may win?) 14. 9-13 18-9 15. 5-14 22-18 16. 14-17 21-14 17. 10-17 18-14 18. 17-22 23-18 19. 13-17? (loses; 22-26! 30-23 7-10 14-7 3-10 and White must return the piece, draw) 14-9 20. 17-21 9-5 21. 22-25 5-1 22. 25-29 1-5 23. 29-25 19-16? (5-9 WW) 24. 12-19 24-15 25. 25-22 5-9 26. 8-12 15-8 27. 22-15 8-4 28. 15-18 4-8 29. 7-10? (18-15 draws) 8-11 30. 10-15 9-14? (9-6 WW or 28-24 WW) 31. 18-9 11-18 32. 3-7 18-15 33. 9-6 15-11 34. 7-16 20-11 35. 6-10 11-8 36. 10-7 8-3 37. 7-11 28-24 38. 12-16 1-0?? (this position is a draw; try it out)

Some of the USA players were astonished about the above resignation. Some of the World players insisted that they get the above win, as if it were possible to take it away from them. Of course the result (win for Red) stands. I don't think anyone disagreed. I wish that On The Verge had not resigned, but much better players than he (including World Champs and especially annotators) have made similar mistakes.

This four game match was pretty darned ragged, and I would guess that not more than a few seconds were spent on many of the moves. ON THE VERGE apologized to his teammates (there had been a death in his family), and gave an insult to his detractors.

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