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Checkers Strategy
Double Corner Move
Checkers Structure and Order
Structure and order
is necessary in the study of checkers as it
will be the basis on which to build a solid
regimen.
The double corner move is where endgame checkers
strategy starts. Endgames are the essence of
checkers, but endgame knowledge won't help if
the checker player reaches the endgame four
or five checkers down so it is also necessary
to study both openings and midgame plays and tactics.
Double corner moves are an important checkers strategy
for later on in your checkers journal. In order
to study different openings, it is best to divide
the study journal into openings, which means that
the checker player should prepare the plays on the
white and black side of an opening separately and
then categorize these openings in the journal by
the first few moves of the game. Of course, this
is relatively easy in 3-move play as each opening
is defined by the first three moves of the checker
game. However, in GAYP, this is not so obvious because
the moves are random by both opponents. To prepare
the black side of the GAYP opening, the checker novice
should choose a move that will be played first in
every game and then consider each possible reply
to this opening checker move. For example, if black
moves 11-15, then white has seven possible replies:
21-17, 22-17, 22-18, 23-18, 23-19, 24-19 and 24-20.
Since there are seven rebuttals to that opening move,
the journal should reflect the black side by a division
of seven sections, one for each white reply. After
this is completed, the study should show which move
would be played against each of white's seven possible
moves. The checker player can then complete the white
side of the study journal in a similar fashion. Double
corner moves come into play near the end of checkers
strategy planning.
Systematic methods of study are essential
for success in serious checker games. At the
end of each variation, notate the author of
the play and where it was found. Reference
can then be made to any of these plays later.
Position is frequently the deciding factor
in a checker game. Players should always be
on the lookout for the "pitch" checkers
strategy and the inevitable "counter-pitch".
It is sometimes wise to return a sacrifice
immediately, while on other occasions a man
may be sacrificed through miscalculation and
then the checker is lost. A wise checker player
does not resign a game simply because he/she
is down a checker. There still are a number
of ideas wherein the player can move and still
secure a draw. That is why it is also important
for the beginner to make a special study of
the standard positions in a checker game.
Although position on the checkerboard merits
serious consideration, a balance between defense
and offense is also necessary in checkers just
the same way it is in any sport. Now if a checker
player has a chance to capture an opponent’s
king early in the game while still keeping
the opponent from doing the same, the player
will be in a good position to capture several
of the opposition’s checkers. However,
if the player charges out early to try to obtain
a king, then this rash move will possibly result
in failure, since a checker out front all by
itself is likely to be captured by the opposition.
A more reliable strategy for the beginner
is to concentrate on defense and try to avoid
positions that force the player to lose his/her
checkers. For the most part, this means keeping
the checkers backed up and backing up the men
means guarding their rear flanks. To keep the
pieces backed up, it is often necessary to
move the back up piece into place first, and
then move the front line piece into position
in front of it. It is done in this sequence
rather than in the reverse because if the play
was made the other way around, then the front
line checker would be vulnerable for one turn.
Keeping pieces on the back wall until you have
a good reason to move them is a good defensive
strategy since those pieces cannot be jumped
where they stand.
By keeping the checker pieces safe checker strategy,
a player can try to force the opponent into
making a bad move, which might just result in
a capture where the opponent is unable to reciprocate.
If it is possible to wear the opponent down
in this way, then this player will be the first
to capture a king, and the result is that the
checker player can move onto an offensive strategy attack.
As the novice checker player undertakes the
study of the game, he/she should be open to
the discovery of techniques that will work for
each player. There is a lot of play to learn
in a game of checkers, however, so it is advisable
to go with a technique that's high on efficiency
if the checker player wants the opponent to
run out of moves first.
Remember the following Strategy:
- Don't start out with the sole idea of
trading pieces as quickly as possible.
Trade only when you can win a positional
advantage such as if it helps open a path
toward the King Row.
- The weakest sector in each player’s
half of the board is the one with the "Double
Corner Move". This is also the
opponent's weakest point. The first Kings
are usually crowned here.
- A player will command the board if he/she can place the
checkers on the center squares, which are the two squares
immediately in front of the player’s lines and the
two immediately in front of them.
- Once the center squares are occupied with
the player’s checkers, then he/she should
try to exchange in the direction of your opponent's
Double Corner.
- Consolidate checker pieces as advance is made
across the checkerboard. A wedge shaped formation
gives the checker player the most security and the
most punching power. As each checker is advanced, it
should be followed up with a checker from the line behind.
- Attack as hard as possible when there are
large gaps and straggling checkers in the opponent's
position.
- The best defense is almost always to
try to force an exchange of checkers as
this often lessens the attacker's power.
- Never keep all four checkers on the back row
as the player may be out positioned everywhere
else on the checkerboard. Keep two checkers there,
with preferably one in the Double Corner and one two squares away.
- Always ask yourself: "Where
will I land if I jump?" and "Will
that leave my opponent with an opening?"
- Analyze the checkerboard closely because sometimes by
the sacrifice of one checker, it is possible to capture two.
- Don't move to the sides! A piece on the
"rim" has had its reach
cut in half. This is a typical beginner's error.
- In the endgame, it is a must to keep the checkers out of reach
of any opposition Kings and the player must push them through to the King Row.
- Endgames are often won or lost by the checker player who has
"the move” or by the
one who has the last move. Generally speaking, the player moving
last will win. If the opponent has "the
move," it is possible to take that advantage away from him
or her by forcing a one for one exchange.
- In the endgame, one King against one King is a draw
(if one can take shelter in a Double Corner). Two Kings
against one King is usually a win for the majority side,
but three Kings against two Kings is often a draw, provided
that the minority side can place one King in each Double Corner.
- If a checker player has two Kings against
three Kings, then it is best to avoid a one
for one exchange because the player has a good
chance to draw with two against three, but
not much chance at all with one against two.
A double corner move is the best was to get
a draw.
- Practice playing checkers over and over again,
especially with superior checker masters.
Checkers is a mind sport that has gained in
popularity and once the novice starts looking
around, it’s amazing how quickly experts
and champions are found. Many are versed in
book knowledge and capable of offering stiff
competition. If the community has a checker
club or association, then it is wise to join
and benefit by the right sort of practice. There
are players from all walks of life united in
a bond of fellowship and fascinated by one of
the greatest intellectual pastimes.
Checkers is not merely a sport for entertainment or
a challenging pastime but an activity that also helps
develop traits of character necessary for successful
living, such as caution, concentration, self-control,
poise, precision, patience, resource, methodical reasoning
and analysis.
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