Theory and practice

As they take their first steps on the international board, every beginner draughts player becomes familiar with a variety of combinational techniques that can be applied in their games. One of the stages in learning combinational moves as part of the required curriculum is the ability to spot moves in passive positions.

Sometimes it seems that the position is already ‘impossible to save’, after a while you will have to give up, but there is the only plan that still leads to a cherished draw.

Sometimes it seems that the position is already ‘impossible to save’, after a while you will have to give up, but there is the only plan that still leads to a cherished draw.

Author: Harry De Waard

According to the materials of foreign press. This section of draughts used to be very popular in draughts material editions. It is good that nowadays there are such draughts players who mark interesting combinational games and ideas. ‘Catch’ in the ocean of draughts game ‘draughts pearls’. One time in a month we are going to publish the findings of different authors on our webpage. Perhaps an idea from here will help you to win in your own draughts game.

As they take their first steps on the full-size board, every beginner in draughts becomes familiar with a variety of combinational techniques that can be applied in their games. One of the stages in learning combinational moves as part of the required curriculum is the ability to spot moves in central positions involving the opponent’s 35(16) checker.

Today we stopped in Ventspils. It’s a strategically important ice-free port and a very beautiful city, built up by Mayor A. Lembergs. The Ventspils cows have, of course, become the city’s trademark. You can see them everywhere in town. You can even climb on them and take a photo. It was here that Andris Sametis, a student of Rudolf Tomass and a math teacher, opened a checkers school. He poured all his energy and passion into his checkers program. He was the only one in Kurzeme who was truly committed to helping his students succeed. We used to visit him during the stages of the famous “Albatross” tournament. He was grateful for the support and wanted the federation to meet him halfway by organizing at least one qualifying round in Ventspils. His request fell on deaf ears. And draughts in the city died out. And we weren’t able to help Andris in this regard. Now, once or twice a year, he takes his car and comes to Riga with 3–4 children. We can only sympathize with him. It was all ruined by the idlers at the federation. Sitting in a café near Livonian Castle, we pull out V.K. Adamovich’s business cards. We make a decision and talk to Andris.

As they take their first steps on the full-size board, every beginner draughts player learns about a variety of combinational techniques that can be applied in their games. One of the key steps in learning combinational moves as part of the standard curriculum is the ability to spot hidden moves in passive positions.

Driving through the beautiful town of Kuldīga in Latvia, one can’t help but think of Rudolf Tomass. As a child, he seemed simply enormous—a man in glasses who could stop any opponent with a single glance. Rudolf played draughts professionally in the town. He was an extraordinary personality, and because of this, people’s attitudes toward him were mixed. On the one hand, he had a tendency to dominate everything, was categorical, and had a tough personality; on the other hand, he was a great and highly active promoter of checkers, who showed and opened up the world to children from Kuldīga and the surrounding regions. He regularly drove children to all tournaments in Europe in his own car. He trained many students and instilled in them a love for draughts.

Sometimes it seems that the position is already ‘impossible to save’, after a while you will have to give up, but there is the only plan that still leads to a cherished draw.

Recalling the old days, we wandered down Jomas Street in Jurmala. Across from the hotel with the spa used to stand the famous chess and checkers club. It hosted the USSR and Latvian SSR championships, as well as other equally significant tournaments in various forms of checkers. Vadim Bozhkov, the Andreev couple, Gennady Shapiro, and Emmanuil Merins all came here to play. Many talented draughts players played at the Jurmala club on Jomas Street. On a summer evening, you could drop in and have a blitz match. Or you could just practice.