BASIC CHECKERS

THE FIRST TWENTY MOVES

BY

RICHARD L. FORTMAN

ILLINOIS CHAMPION

(10/77)

The student, when first being introduced to the scientific aspects of the game of checkers, is faced with a bewildering array of cold figures, contained in such massive texts as Tescheleit`s Master-Play of the Draughts Board, Kear`s Encyclopedia, Churchill`s Compilations, and many others. Lacking a sympathetic counsellor to assist in the study of the difficult three-move restriction, he may easily become discouraged, and his interest either wanes or is extinguished. His primary objective at this early stage is to eliminate the unnecessary, and to seek simplification; a goal toward which this treatise is aimed. While it is true that other opening charts have been published in the past, authored by Jesse Hanson, William Miller, Nathan Rubin, Newell Banks, Tom Wiswell and others, all, with the exception of Maurice Chamblee`s valuable article in his Checkers and the Expert, have shown only the moves considered best, without explanation. Lacking a set of rigid theorems, (as checkers has been described as a `Pastime of exceptions`) the teaching of the game has always remained a difficult task, to which the student must mainly minister unto himself. We trust that the following pages may assist him in this enjoyable task.

Abbreviations used in this Book.

A.B.C. America`s Best Checkers, a book no longer in print.

A.C.A or ACA. American Checker Assoiation, which, together with the National Checker Association, merged to form the present American Checker Federation.

A.C.A. N.T. One of the tourneys sponsored by the A.C.A. Since 1947 all national tourneys in the U.S. have been A.C.F. tourneys.

A.C.F. The American Checker Federation today the only national checker organization in the U.S.

A.C.F.B. or ACFB. American Checker Federation Bulletin. Bimonthly organ ofthe A.C.F., and sent to all members.

Am. Ty. or A.T. or AT. American tourney, any of the numerous national national tourneys sponsored by one of the national groups.

B.D.J. Former printed magazine of the British Draughts Assn. Today the group is known as the English Draughts. Assn. and their printed organ is the English Draughts Journal.

Col. Rev, or C.R. or cr. Colors reversed-a position which has been published from a different series of moves. Upon finding this position in a book, the student must mentally reverse the Red and White moves.

Kear`s Ency. Kear`s Encyclopedia has been published in four editions, but is today difficult to find. A very large book, it is known for the quality of play it contains and for the simple format.

Lakeside Ty. There are three tourneys held each year that attract the better players-the Florida Open is usually held the week after Easter.

The Southern Open is held in a southern state in late July and the Lakeside Open is usually held the first week in August at Lakeside, 0.

Master-Play. A total of seven books were published by M. Francis Tescheleit bearing this title, each covering one opening move. Play in M.P. is difficult to follow and many of the moves given in it are not considered as very good today.

N.S.A. Mount Sterling Advocate. Former weekly (later monthly) checker publication printed in Mt. Sterling, Ky, the editor later changed the name to Elam’s Checker Board. No longer printed.

Nat. Ty. or N.T. Any of the varioustourneys sponsored by the ACA, ACF or NCA.

N.C.A. National Checker Assn. This group merged with the A.C.A. in 1946 to form the A.C.F

N.E.C.B. Short-lived publication of some 25 years ago.

Pot-Pourri. Book on checkers writtenby Richard L. Fortman in 1974..

P.P. or pp. Published play-a termused to describe any game or position which has been published.

Question Mark=? When placed after a move, it indicates the writer considers this move as dubious. Learners should avoid these moves when possible.

Ryan`s A.C. The American Checkerist, one of the magazines edited by William F. Ryan.

Ryan`s Ency. Correctly titled, "The Modern Encyclopedia of Checkers", published in a small edition in 1940 and enlarged in 1943, now difficult to obtain.

R.W. Red wins.

Second Tnt. Match or 2nd. I.M. One of the three crossboard matches contested between leading players of the U.S. and Great Britain. The U.S. has won two, Great Britain one. Not to be confused with the international mail matches. Six of these have been played, the seventh is just beginning is this book is being printed.

Sixth D.L. or 6th. DL. Sixth DistrictNewsletter, currently in print. A bimonthly checker periodical.

So. Ty. Southern Tourney-see LakesideTourney for explanation.

W.C.P. or WCP. Wood`s Checker Player. Former highly-regarded magazine, still prized by collectors of checker literature.