(1) 10-15           23-19
(2) 7-10            22-17
(3) 3-7             25-22
(4) 9-14            29-25
(5) 5-9             17-13
(6) 1-5             22-17
(7) 11-16           26-22
(8) 16-23           27-11
(9) 7-l6            31-26
(10) 8-11            24-19
(11) 16-23           26-19
(12) 11-15           30-26

and White wins through the threat to get two for one by 19-15 after the exchange.  Black cannot help the loss of a man.

The reader, who has thoroughly acquainted himself with the fundamental endings, will have no difficulty in playing a good game of checkers, if he follows at every move the general principles discussed in this chapter.  When playing over the countless variations, which are offered in the majority of checker books, he would find that they are merely illustrations of the application of those principles to the various openings.

Following are two examples from master play, the careful study of which will do more good to the student than the perusal of a great number of games that lack adequate annotation.

Black White

         (1) 9-14

The best opening move is probably 11-15, as this enables a speedy development of the man on 4, who, as previously explained, should not be kept in the back row.  The variations resulting from 11-15 have been so thoroughly analyzed that it is practically impossible to defeat a player who chooses this opening and knows the possible variations by heart.  It has, therefore, been found necessary to restrict the players in matches and tournaments by balloting the first move of Black and White, in order to avoid too many draws.  This is a serious drawback, as it curtails the freedom of decision, to which a player should be entitled in any game.

          (1) ... 22-17
          (2) 11-15

It is hard to tell whether this move of 11-16 or 5-9 is the best. 6-9 and 10-15 are considered weak.

(2) ... 25-22

More aggressive than 23-19, which can safely be played.

(3) 15-19

8-11 or 17-13 or 23-19 are also good moves.

Black White

(3) ... 24-15
(4) 10-19 23-16
(5) 12-19 17-1O
(6) 6-15 21-17
(7) 5-9 29-25
(8) 8-12 25-21
(9) 7-10 17-13
(10) 1-6

32        31        30
+---------------------------------------+
|    |  o |    |  o |    |  o |    |    | 29
|---------------------------------------|
28 |  o |    |  o |    |  o |    |    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
|    |    |    |    |    |  o |    |  o | 21
|---------------------------------------|
20 |    |    |  * |    |    |    |    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
|    |    |    |  * |    |    |    |  o | 13
|---------------------------------------|
12 |  * |    |    |    |  * |    |  * |    |
|---------------------------------------|
|    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    | 5
|---------------------------------------|
4 |  * |    |  * |    |  * |    |  * |    |
+---------------------------------------+
3         2        1

Diagram 110.