Complete Checkers: Insights

Version Reviewed

Complete Checkers: Insights in five volumes

Edition reviewed: 1st Edition

Online PDF version with 612 numbered pages

Original print edition publication November, 2021, Avi Gobbler Publishing, Honolulu, Hawai‘i

ISBN: 9798521345670

About the author

Richard Pask – Draughts Grandmaster

Mr. Pask was born in Weymouth, on 1st December 1961.

His interest in the game was only sparked when, at the age of 11, he stumbled across books by Willie Ryan and Tom Wiswell in his local library.

However, it was not until he was 17, when he joined the EDA (English Draughts Association) and ACF (American Checker Federation), that he began to study the game seriously.

He managed to establish himself as a seasoned player during the years from 1983-1991. Although he lost his 1990 match for the British Championship with Derek Oldbury by the score of 0-3 and 13 draws, he was not at all discouraged, and believes that subsequent matches might well have turned out differently.

Becoming a full-time teacher in 1993 largely crimped Mr. Pask’s crossboard ambitions, although he successfully competed for the English Match Championship five times between 1995 and 2006, and forced him to concentrate on his book writing activities.

Draughts achievements:
English Match Champion: 1995-2006 (40-0 & 34 draws)
British Open Championship: 2nd in 1984, 1986 and 1990 (23-2 & 35 draws)
Board 1 for England: 1984 and 1988 Home Internationals (6-0 & 26 draws)
UK and Ireland v USA: 1983 and 1989 (2-3 & 35 draws)
County Championships (Avon): 1984-1997 (10-1 & 33 draws)
Avon Open Champion: 1987-1989 (35-2 & 25 draws)

Total score between 1984 and 2002: 161 wins, 13 losses and 334 draws (65%)

Books written on the game of draughts: 35

– Shorten from the online version of Checkers for the Novice –

Book index

Content

Who is this book for?

The book aims to give the foundations and skills required for every beginner. It will help this player to reach a serious and competitive level. I would rate this even higher than Starting Out which if I would recommend first due to its compactness in size with Complete Checkers: Insights the most complete and compact book that you would need to level up your game.

Conclusion

All in all Richard Pask did outdo his past creations. While one has to admit some were addressed towards the more advanced to master level. He outdoes himself in this book. Compressing content that is in various very valuable and rare books. I guess we do have a new go-to book for the aspiring beginner up to master level.