Just Bring it !!! Happy Independence Day America !!!!

[Jay H]

I was at a friend of my wife's picnic , and my son came with ....He took a book along to read, as he figured there would not be anyone there that he knew.
I took along a checker board and pieces...thought he and I might play a game or two....
After about an hour, we got the board out and set it up on a picnic table and started a game.
Within 10 minutes, there were 5 people standing around watching, I said..."Whovever wants winners, call it now !!"
And, indeed, everyone wanted to play !!
Everybody got to play, and I got the chance to explain the ACF, rules, history of the game, etc.
Although I did not sign up any new ACF members or anything like that, everybody left with a very healthy respect for the game ....
Next picnic you go to, take a board along...you may be surprized !!

Happy Fourth of July America !!!!!

Regards

Jay H

[tommyc]

Nice one JH............Myself and Myles used to go into this disco bar occasionally when we would be returning from a local Ty and we would get the board out and "sure as shooting in no time thye young fellas and girls would be crowding around asking can i play the winner and b4 long everyone wanted to play till all hours of the morning ...lol .We didnt get any players from it but it was a wild nights craic ,soon they would be telling each other "you must jump and so on,and i must say i was amused.lol.

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Often enough I am caring magnetic board and book with me, when I have to wait few hours my kids with some activities - ballet for daughter and karate for son. And yes! I can confirm that almost always someone, adult or child, asked - why I spend my time with kids game I usually show them the book I study and telling that I am World Champ, we have National, International and State events etc. 99% people are surprised, amazed and ask me alot of questions.

I usually don't like to play games but on several occasions i did. In all cases people left me knowing something more about checkers and having more respect to our old game.

Alex

[jaguar72]

I set up at the local Barnes & Noble coffee shop a couple times a week (sometimes more) and play through games (both old and new), problems, endgame studies and other exercises (not that it has helped my game much...). I do this for both checkers and chess, although for the last six or eight months it's been checkers exclusively. It is, for me, a hugely enjoyable activity, but probably not everybody's cup o' tea... .

I do get requests to play; chess quite frequently, checkers not so much although people will stop and if they don't want to play will ask questions about the game (checkers) much like Alex and Jay experienced; when playing, I always use a clock and that sometimes attracts some spectators (because it's somewhat unusual and can be pretty exciting, I guess, especially if you are playing fast). I think, perhaps, more people, especially younger people, would be inclined to play checkers if the game had more current publicity...or maybe not, it's hard to tell. Chess, of course, has gone this route but the jury is still out (at least for me) on whether it will be beneficial for the game in the long run.

It's impressive to be able to tell people that the World Champion lives in Dublin, Ohio and that you can actually talk to him (that impresses me, too), especially if you join the ACF, but I don't know if I've ever talked anybody into joining or not... .

Barnes & Noble provides space for a Backgammon group that meets there on (I think) Saturdays and the manager (a very decent man) volunteered to do the same for a checkers group. I regret to say I have not yet made any moves in this direction and taken him up on his kind offer.

V/R,

Gary Jenkins/jaguar72

[Jay H]

I set up at the local Barnes & Noble coffee shop a couple times a week (sometimes more) and play through games (both old and new), problems, endgame studies and other exercises (not that it has helped my game much...). I do this for both checkers and chess, although for the last six or eight months it's been checkers exclusively.

Super cool Jaguar

It's impressive to be able to tell people that the World Champion lives in Dublin, Ohio and that you can actually talk to him (that impresses me, too),

Yes, I have posted before here on the Forum that when discussing the game within my social circles, I state that the World Champion once lived in PA., and this will always generate some "oohhs" and "ahhhs"...

especially if you join the ACF, but I don't know if I've ever talked anybody into joining or not...

"Same here,.....but it can never hurt to try ..."


Barnes & Noble provides space for a Backgammon group that meets there on (I think) Saturdays and the manager (a very decent man) volunteered to do the same for a checkers group. I regret to say I have not yet made any moves in this direction and taken him up on his kind offer.

V/R,

Gary Jenkins/jaguar72

Excellent post
In fact, I look forward to reading all of your posts.....always insightful, and well constructed.
Thanx Greatly appreciated......

Regards,

Jay H

[jaguar72]

Why, thanks, Jay; that's very kind of you. It is a privilege to be a member of this forum. Certainly none of the posts and comments ever lack interest!

V/R,

Gary jenkins/jaguar72

[jaguar72]

I admit that I don't carry my board around much-- mainly because it's too big to fit in my backpack--.

A vinyl rollup board will solve that problem, John. One with 1 and 7/8 inch squares (almost regulation and easy to find in green/buff) should fit in your backpack nicely...store that baby in a cut down mailing tube (buck-and-a-half from UPS or the Post Office) or even a cardboard tube from a roll o' paper towels (free, but it doesn't completely cover the board) to keep it clean and uncreased. Also easy to strap on the back of your motorcycle or bicycle (in that case you can also use it to whack aggressive dogs if you can't outrun 'em...very handy).

It is, as you know, what I use and I've taken it, well, everywhere... .

V/R,

Gary Jenkins/jaguar72