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BGonline.org Forums
Lost the link
Posted By: Dave In Response To: Lost the link (Dan Pelton)
Date: Monday, 28 January 2008, at 8:14 p.m.
It wouldn't surprise me that checkers would be that high up but I base that on anecdote. I had a math teacher who had an ongoing bet that if a student could beat him at a game of checkers, a game of chess, and a game of backgammon during that student's career that the student would win $50 (then a pretty nice sum of money -- hell even now) with the students not risking anything. At the time I didn't play backgammon but I figured it wouldn't matter unless I could win at the other two. I was a good chess player but hadn't played checkers since a child. I played and lost several games of chess to him and finally got a draw (I can't remember the exact opening I used but it involved risky play with the queen and launching a queen side attack early. He deflected the attack but not as efficiently as he should have which would have left him with a better position. Instead I had the superior position and if not for a blunder I think I might have been able to pull off the win). I figured with enough time and preparation I could win that game of chess -- he was better than me but not that much better. So I focussed my energy on checkers. The first 10 games or so I lost and lost miserably. I had kind of figured that even though I didn't play the game I could get lucky and out-think him once. Nope. The next 10 games I actually came prepared. There wasn't much literature available but I had been studying our games and watched carefully when he played others. I began to develop some good board positions and was able to catch the tactical plays better. But to no avail. Again not even close. That I managed to get one checker promoted once he said was impressive as most players don't get that much. In the years since I've played here and there (never tournaments) and continue to be impressed with the game. Against beginners it's largely a tactical game (looking for the 2 for 1 shots). Against better opponents its all position and tempo and the positions get very complicated very quickly. It's not chess but it is more complicated than most people give it credit for.
To complete the anecdote, I did not win the money (never won a single game of anything). No other student during the time I was there won a single game of anything either. I don't know what happened after that. My physics teacher did win occasionally at backgammon but he didn't even try at the others.
Dave
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