Would Leo have found it?

[Richard Pask]

As part of my research on the current chapter of Logical Checkers, I reviewed Key Bridge Endgame #6 from Play Better Checkers & Draughts.

This evolved from Derek Oldbury's analysis of a position arising from the White Doctor which he was preparing for use in his 1976 Freestyle match with Leo Levitt. It can be found on Vol 4, Page 445 of his Ency and was held to be a win for White.

Black: 6, 12, 23 and 24
White: 11, 14, 30 and 32
Black to play and draw. (?)

Continue: 24-27 11-7; 6-10 14-9; 27-31 7-2

Here Derek shows that 31-26 loses and gives 31-27 to draw after 2-7; 10-14 7-10; 14-17 but now instead of 10-14? (DEO says other moves are just transpos), the endgame databases show 9-6! to win: retaining the king on 10 in readiness for 10-15 as required.

The question is: would Leo have found this over the board? My feeling is a definite Yes.