Unofficial World Championship Checker Problem Composing Contest 45 - Kingless Kapers - Results

[Bill Salot]

5 kingless entries turned out to be in a 2-horse race decided by a score of 7 votes to 6. Ed Atkinson's compound stroke, Mining for Gold, a win, edged Roy Little's 5-piece sweep, Hot Spot, a draw. Ed's stroke was triggered by a Domino pitch; Roy's by an In-and-Out pitch. Gary Ellison, Mark Sokolovsky, Leo Springer (Netherlands) and Liam Stephens (Ireland) voted for Mining for Gold. Gene Ellison, Tony Gallagher (UK), Lloyd Gordon, Slave Gorin (Russia) and George Hay voted for Hot Spot.

Tie for a distant 3rd with less fireworks and only 2 votes each were Last Stand, a win that John Aker achieved in a game; Swiss Cheese, a composed escape by Bill Salot; and Sting Like a Butterfly, a co-authored, historical masterpiece by John Drummond (1861) and Jim Loy (2019). Drummond published an intricate win over a stalwart defense in his analysis of a Single Corner game. But 158 years later, Jim found the one drawing twist necessary to validate Drummond's defense. Donald Oliphant (UK) and Kathy Wirthwein cast their votes for it.

Among those who have voted in more than 3 contests, the International Voters' Ladder has a new leader:
1. Leo Springer (Netherlands) 3 winners picked in 4 tries (75%)
2. Liam Stephens (Ireland) 9 in 13 tries (69%)
3. Gene Ellison 7 in 12 tries (63%)
4. Lloyd Gordon (Canada) 5 in 8 tries (62.5%)
5/6/7 (tie). Slava Gorin (Russia) & Kathy Wirthwein 5 in 10 tries (50%); Wilma Wolverton 3 in 6 tries (50%)
14 others have either not voted in more than 3 contests or have scored less than 50%. It ain't easy!

425 visited the contest web site, 19 of whom voted.