Ed Atkinson died 8/24/2022

[JR Smith]

Edgar “Ed” Cox Atkinson, born: February 13, 1938, died: August 24, 2022, Age: 84 - Harrisburg, PA
http://www.nccheckers.org/NCCA/8-24-22 ... nson.htm

[chipschap]

So sad to learn of Ed's passing. He and I corresponded frequently for years. His fine compositions lent sparkle and fun to many a Checker Maven column, usually Marvin J Mavin or the Beacon Cafe. He wrote a piece of original checker fiction that I published. Not only were his compositions by turns clever, original, witty, entertaining, and unique, they were so often brilliant. We have lost one of a handful of remaing grandmaster composers.

We were going to publish a book with 25 of Ed's problems and 25 of Brian Hinkle's. Ed wrote to me in August saying he was ill but as soon as he got better he would send me his selection of problems. That was the last I ever heard from him.

Ed knew a lot about ... a lot. His emails were as witty and entertaining as his problems. He was not only a great problemist, he was a fine man. He served America in the Navy and told me stories about his being here in Hawai`i.

I have maybe of a dozen of his problems left to publish, and then there never will be any more.

Rest in peace, Ed, and may your loved ones be comforted.

[George Hay]

RIP Ed Atkinson. Ed was a frequent contributor to The Checker Maven, as chipschap has noted. Ed also contributed to the ACF Bulletin. Ed's frequent contributions to the ACF Bulletin was the Guest Students’ Page where Ed would pick an instructional theme and present classic checkers problems including his own. Ed was a frequent contributor to the Unofficial World Championship Checker Problem Composing Contests, he often won that contest. Ed's large legacy of checkers problems were and are entertaining and instructional. What makes for a good checkers problem? I am convinced that a good checkers problem needs "checkers magic." Whatever that "checkers magic" is, Ed had it!

Sincerely,
George Hay