White: kings on 18 and 32
Black: king on 24, man on 20
White to move and win
The normal continuation is ... 15-18; 24-19 32-28; 19-16 18-23; 16-11 23-19; 11-8 28-32; 8-12 (or 8-11) 32-27 etc...
However, in Move Over, DEO favours ... 15-11; 24-19 32-27; 19-24 (19-16 11-15; 16-12 15-19 arrives at the above position 4 moves earlier) 27-23; 24-28 11-15; 28-24 15-18; 24-28 23-19; 28-32 18-23; 32-28 23-27 (key position) etc...
It seems to me that the DEO approach is superior to what I view as the standard one on 2 counts:
First, it's quicker.
Secondly, it brings out a key position, central to other versions of First Position, which the student needs to be keenly aware of.
Also, it's a little surprising to me that in such a famous position there are 2 alternative routes available.
This is probably old hat to most readers, but I'd be interested to know what people think.
First Position revisited!
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Richard Pask
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George Hay
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Re: First Position revisited!
Hello Richard Pask! First, did you mean White King on 15 instead of 18? That would match your text and also DEO's
Diagram 33 in Move Over.

For this and similar First Position variations, I like to move 15-18 and avoid square 11. That way I feel in control.
I'm sure it has something to do with how many moves you can see ahead!
Second, with the White King on 18 at the very start, Black has "the opposition" (aka "the move"), but White still wins! Wicked! Thanks for posting!
--George Hay
Diagram 33 in Move Over.

For this and similar First Position variations, I like to move 15-18 and avoid square 11. That way I feel in control.
I'm sure it has something to do with how many moves you can see ahead!
Second, with the White King on 18 at the very start, Black has "the opposition" (aka "the move"), but White still wins! Wicked! Thanks for posting!
--George Hay
- Alex_Moiseyev
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- What do you like about checkers?: .....
Re: First Position revisited!
When I taught my son to drive, I always told him:
"the shortest and most secure way is the one you know and are experienced, distance doesnt play major role !"
"the shortest and most secure way is the one you know and are experienced, distance doesnt play major role !"
I am playing checkers, not chess.
- Danny_Alvarez
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Re: First Position revisited!
Alex, I enjoyed the way you framed your answer ... and i think that for those of us that are not grandmasters sticking to what we know might be the best. Despite all this i think it is a very valid and interesting point Mr Pask has brought up.
cheerio
cheerio
Amateur Checkerist, Professional Lover of the Game
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George Hay
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- Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
Re: First Position revisited!

White to move and win.
In the above diagram, 15-11 wins, but 15-18 only draws.
Even Newell Banks missed the win, as reported by Al Lyman
in WINNING 1ST POSITION, note G.
http://www.checkerworld.com/index.html