"Easy Money Playing Checkers"--answer

[Mr. Checkers]

As a promotional he played their new checker computer several years ago even though to him it was a mere toy. "Checker Trivia questions of the Day". Who was this famous checker player? What was the name of the checker computer? And what kind of payday did he have for doing this for them? (Cont.)

[Palomino]

Answer 1. Richard L. Fortman

Answer 2. Fidelity Electronics' "CHECKER CHALLENGER"

Answer 3. Mr. Fortman received a free "Checker Challenger" computer game.

Source:
checkerworld.com "An Interview With Richard Fortman"

Back in early 1978, I was contacted by one of the Fidelity people, in regard to their new "Checker Challenger". Burke Grandjean had given them my name and they asked me if I could review their product for the checker press if they would send me a complimentary set. Since I had nothing to lose, I accepted.

Fidelity evidently had great plans, since it donated $5000 to the 1978 Nat. ty. at Murfeesboro, and the company proxy plus several others attended, to demonstrate both their checker and chess computers. It was officially entered in the minors; operated by Jules Leopold who told me later he had a difficult time in getting some 'agreed' draws! They also interviewed Tinsley, who had several kind comments as to the future of computer checkers, although he later told me he wasn't very optimistic!

[Mr. Checkers]

Fine answer Ed.