Universally popular, the "mind sport" of checkers is one of the world's oldest board games, and one of the most elegantly structured. Although children can readily understand its most basic rules, on a higher level checkers can demand great depth of strategic thought. Put your skill to the test with these puzzles--all based on the standard American game. (Federation rules appear in their entirety.) Each is winningly solvable in no more than six and a half moves, and often less by the player who goes first. In numerous problems, the winner even seems at a serious disadvantage at the start. Quite a few of the solutions list alternative patterns of play that depend on the moves chosen by the player destined to lose.
Wow - what a fun book that was! This book has so many well thought out problems, that your game has to improve the first time through. I've been through this book several times now, increasing my speed (and mostly my technique) while getting as much enjoyment as the first time through. When using my newly acquired skills in real games, I've "Dazzled" more than a couple of players; having your opponent say "I didn't even see that coming" is a direct result of the insight gained reading this book. This book seemed free of errors (i.e. all problems were solvable and all problem numbers matched their corresponding solution number). I look at a checker board with a little more confidence now, and take my hat off to Robert Pike. I would recommend this book to anyone without reservation.
A Quick Road to Improvement
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 22 years ago
The 370 puzzles in this book will keep you occupied for some time and will greatly improve your play. Do yourself a favor and work through each one carefully, resorting to the solutions only if you are absolutely desperate. Most of these can be solved mentally, but in some cases the use of board and pieces will make the concepts more clear. The small pocket size format of the book makes it very good to take along and use during down-time such as waiting for doctors appointments and the like. The serious student of checkers really ought to have this book.
Little Giant Encyclopedia of Checker Puzzles
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 22 years ago
Yike! Sure hope I'm the only one at the Old Fogies Senior Center with this book.I'll be the champ in no time.
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