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Checkers Players
Words of Wisdom
Some checkers players
words of wisdom are shared here. Words of wisdom
give pause to the many unspoken words yet to come.
English Chess Champion, 1895, J.H.
Blackthorn words of wisdom: he believed
that chess was a superior game; however, Checkers
did hold an advantage.
"Draughts is a less attractive game, infinitely less, but it is more scientific. You see, a step at draughts is irreparable. At chess, however, you can get back, change the disposition of your men and possibly win."
In 1911, Frank Dunne wrote
these checkers words of wisdom for Draughts - A Practical
Guide to Play Scientific: "Draughts
is not merely an idle amusement. Several very valuable
qualities of the mind, useful in the course of human
life, are to be acquired or strengthened by it, so
as to become habits ready on all occasions".
The topic of checkers players words of wisdom has often
been likened to other subjects as an illustration,
as seen by American essayist, poet and philosopher,
Henry David
Thoreau (1817 to 1862):
"All voting is a sort of gaming, like checkers
or backgammon, with a slight moral tinge to it, a playing with right and wrong.
It could certainly be said that opponents do play with right and wrong in
a game of Checkers because playing right leads to successful moves and a
potential win, while playing wrong leads to capture, loss of a King and
possible defeat."
Derek Oldbury words of wisdom,
a great master of this mind sport, commented in 1950:
"The best move is not necessarily the
strongest but that which will beguile the opponent into making a mistake."
The late GM Marion Tinsley,
former World Draughts Champion, was an amazing Checkers
player imbued with a deep knowledge of the game acknowledged
the following checkers words of wisdom quotes:
(1) “It's a fascinating game and it satisfies
a facet of the human personality it's creative, scientific and artistic."
(2) "Success for checkers
players requires hard work, certain natural talents,
a good memory, and the ability to visualize."
(3) "The price to pay keeps the vast majority
from becoming proficient."
(4) "To appreciate checkers
players you have to know so much."
(5) "Many tournaments
are won before the tournament begins."
Harry N. Pillsbury,
Chess grandmaster and Checkers expert, made these other
words of wisdom observation on this game: “Chess
is what you see, Checkers is what you know. There is
enough in either game to last a man a lifetime."
The following words of wisdom quote was taken from
a biography on T.B.F.
Thompson, One Move Ahead: "T.B.F.
agreed and it was, of course, the draughts player in
him that came out during this period in his life. As
a lad, spending hours at the draughts board, he never
minded losing a few men if he could get a king. In
1966 he had gained that king … "(p.85)
The late GM, Tom Wiswell has
these words,
World Checkers Champion (1951-1976) offered his wisdom
in his following checkers game philosophy:
(1) “Making sound moves in the market during
troubled times is important in holding your position till an opening presents
itself. Move in haste, repent at leisure."
(2) "Moves that disturb your position the least
disturb your opponent the most. In checkers, many times waiting moves are
indicated, to avoid disturbing your position. Then your opponent has to show
his hand. Many times, by waiting you cause your opponent's position to crumble
right before your eyes.”
(3) "Keep the draw in sight."
(4) "The true art of playing is not only to make
the right move at the right time, but to leave unmade the wrong move at the
moment of truth."
(5) "Players are usually at their most confident
peak….just before they walk into disaster."
(6) "Don't play on a heavy meal; a hungry player
is a good player."
(7) "The oldest play is brand new if your
opponent has not seen it. I've won many more games and matches with old
plays than with new."
(8) "If a move is inviting,
be natural and looks strong, it's a good move or a
good trap – and sometimes it takes a good checkers
player to tell the difference."
(9) "The checkers player
who records his losses today won’t repeat them
tomorrow."
(10) "It's fun trying to master a game,
as long as you don't expect to succeed."
(11) "Knowledge alone
cannot make a player have words of wisdom, but lack
of knowledge can surely unmake one."
(12) "It isn't only what you know that
counts, it's also what you don't know and don't know that you don't
know."
[The above quotes were collected from GM Nigel
Davis' web page as provided by Victor Niederhoffer.]
Victor Niederhoffer:
"Chess is a very noble game, as is
checkers.”
Checkers is indeed a noble game; however, there have been some delicate
cultural and moral situations arise in different tournaments over the
years. Sometimes, these have dealt with game play and other times with
the lack of rapport and consideration for individual tournament players or visitors.
GM Nigel Davies has commented on this issue:
“This sensitivity might be a games player's
thing. In our tournaments and travels we have to get on with a wide range
of folk who can be culturally very different. I don't see much sign of it
in the Western mainstream.”
The game of checkers has increased in its popularity over the years as
more than a just simple game of entertainment for children and in numerous
countries around the world is taken very seriously. This mind sport easily
equates with physical sports and is given the same consideration and impetus.
Words of wisdom from Alex Moiseyev,
Checkers player and formerly from Russia,
comments on this sport in his native land:
"In Russia, it (checkers) is a sport as much
as basketball, football or any other sport. There were special kids checker
schools and the instructors were past masters of the sport."
When this philosophy becomes entrenched worldwide,
then Checkers/Draughts will gain a fresh momentum that
will touch the minds and hearts of board gamers anew.
We are already witnessing the power of this game in
the commitment of many youth checkers players in tournaments
around the world. These young gamers are the Grand
Masters of tomorrow.
To become a Grand Master of Checkers takes years of practice, game study
and analysis, failure, defeat and growth, but eventually success will be
at the touch of someone’s fingers, a mere game away.
Thomas A. Edison checkers words of wisdom,
while working on his invention of the light bulb, once
remarked, “I
have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.”
The same can be said of the novice checker player.
The checkers players key is not to give up and lose
hope but to remember all the ways and all the moves
that do work.
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