Win at Checkers

I'm a lifelong chess player but wanted to take a look at the simpler game of checkers which I played as a child.

I figure if you're buying a book about winning at checkers, you're getting serious about the game. This book isn't going to get you to beating Chinook, but it's going to make you a better player. Mr. Hopper does a really good job of helping you avoid the common mistakes the beginner makes.Be sure you have your checkers set out and that you follow the moves on the board.This isn't the first book I've read to improve my game, but it's the first that actually improved it. Well-written and clear.

I was looking for a new game for my for my phone and tablet. When I found a checkers game, I thought that would go quickly for short periods of waiting. Well, it did go quickly - too quickly - the problem was that I was continually getting beat. I didn`t seem to have as great a win percentage as I expected for what I thougt was not a difficult game. Found out that it's really not so easy to play a great game of checkers. This book has provided great information, strategies and methods that have greatly improved my skills.Not a professional, by any means, but have learned a great deal and enjoyed putting the instruction to the test. It is a good ebook to take along on your day-to-day travels or longer times, as well. Enjoy -and don't forget to get the game, too.

very good book, Hoppers love for the game translates across the pages. he puts plenty of personality in the book as he teaches so it's not a dry read. because of this and it's shorter length it should be good for younger readers as well (though there's plenty of deeper tid-bits for guys like me with a chess background.) good stuff!

Millard Hopper's "Win at Checkers" is a good book if not a great one. There are far more useful books for the rank beginner. As one of those rank beginners I consulted an excellent resource, Mr. Bob Newell of Checker Maven, who suggested the other books listed here. I have since devoured the four books and rank them in order from most to least useful and also in the order they should be read.Best to least:"Starting Out in Checkers" by Richard Pask"Checkers Made Easy" by Arthur Reisman"How to Win at Checkers" by Fred Reinfeld"Win at Checkers" by Millard HopperOrder to be read:"Checkers Made Easy" by Arthur Reisman"Starting Out in Checkers" by Richard Pask"How to Win at Checkers" by Fred Reinfeld"Win at Checkers" by Millard HopperThis is not to say that "Win at Checkers" is without merit, but for the beginner Mr. Hopper's approach is neither as methodical nor as comprehensive as the others. In these respects, Richard Pask's book excels and that's why I rank it first. Good work, Mr. Pask! Unfortunately, you may have a difficult time finding a new copy at a reasonable price. It originally sold for $12.95 and now even used copies are going for around $15 minimum, plus shipping. That said, get it; you won't be sorry.For the fundamental patterns of the game it is best to start with Arthur Reisman's "Checkers Made Easy." I enjoyed Mr. Reisman's writing style and his clever names for the various strategic maneuvers and tactical shots that comprise the elements of the game. This can also be said of names given in Mr. Pask's book. It makes learning enjoyable as well as memorable. Good news! Mr. Reisman's book is available as a free download at Mr. Newell's Checker Maven.Of course, not all is peaches and cream with these two works. "Checkers Made Easy" only tangentially touches upon the opening phase of the game in covering the Dyke formation and the Bridge. Mr. Pask's book is no better. There is so little about the opening in "Starting Out in Checkers" that this chapter could have been left out without too much notice. This is where Fred Reinfeld's "How to Win at Checkers" comes into its own."How to Win at Checkers" is a useful if not error free overview of what was covered in Mr. Reisman's and Mr. Pask's books, but the heart of this work is its introduction to the major openings in Chapter 4 and traps to be found in those openings for the unwary in Chapter 3. The beginner familiar with the previously mentioned works will find these two chapters the most useful.Lastly, there is Mr. Hopper's "Win at Checkers" containing a little bit of this and a little bit of that: general principles, shots and traps, standard openings, opening traps (called Blitzkriegs here), exercises and very little on the endgame. It also includes a brief list of match and tournament scores from 1948 to 1955. Written in a question and answer format, it is a good refresher after the other three books have been digested.Where to go from here?I'd suggest Mr. Pask's advanced treatise titled "Play Better Checkers and Draughts." It is available for purchase as a PDF from Bob Newell for a mere $10.Collections and matches are great for understanding a game's progress from opening to endgame. Just two are "Checker Kings in Action" by Wiswell and Hopper and Alex Moiseyev's "Sixth," the latter being available for purchase from The American Checker Federation's online store.Lastly, "Basic Checkers: The First Twenty Moves" is a comprehensive opening guide and an invaluable resource for the serious player. Comparable to the "Encyclopedia of Chess Openings" for those familiar with chess, it is far from basic and not really for beginners. Originally self-published in seven parts from 1978 to 1983 by Richard L. Fortman, the book required hundreds of hours of work by editor-in-chief Bob Newell and co-editor Jim Loy to bring it up to date for the 2010 edition. You can purchased it from Amazon or from CreateSpace.Okay, now go play and keep those shots coming.

The following two paperback books: Play Winning Checkers by Robert W. Pike and Win At Checkers by Millard Hopper really helped me win at the game of checkers. Prior to reading both books, my neighbor would win the majority of checkers games we played together. After reading and digesting the material within these books, my checkers improved to the extent that my neighbor continued to lose most every game we played and therefore, he is no longer willing to compete.

Here is a book with diagrams that show you how to improve your game using basic checker plays. As you playagainst better players, implement one or two basic movement plays and watch your game improve! This is a short work that needs to be read over and over. In fact, I would suggest that you set up a board with pieces and play against yourself until you master these moves, especially the fundamental winning moves.

I wanted a creative new hobby to keep my mind active. I'm learning skills from the book and using them on the checkerboard.