The Modern Encyclopedia of Checkers

Version reviewed

The Modern Encylopedia of Checkers

1940 Edition with 199 numbered pages.

Published by William F. Ryan, New York, N. Y.

About the Author

Ryan_Scientific_Checkers_Made_Easy_Portrait

William Francis Ryan (1907-1954)

Ryan was nicknamed the Bronx Comet or Willie. Notably, he was one of the most prominent players of his time. Most importantly, he managed to win the American Championship in 1939 and 1946. On top of this, he was as well an accomplished blindfold player.
During his lifetime, he was a very prolific writer and did publish and co-author several books & magazines.

To name just some of his publications

Books & Booklets

Scientific Checkers Made Easy
Championship Checkers Simplified
The Modern Encyclopedia of Checkers
Tricks, Traps & Shots of the Checkerboard
It’s Your Move: A New Manual of Checkers
The Modern Encyclopedia of Checkers
World Championship Checkers
Streamlined Checkers: A Lucid exposition of Scientific Play and Instructions on the Game of Checkers, Embracing a Precise Treatment of All Major Variations on the 18 – 15 Line of the Double Corner Opening

Journals

The King-Row Review
The Checkergram
Checkers: Games of the Blindfold Match Between William F. Ryan and Newell W. Banks
The American Checkerist
The New Checkergram

However, William Ryan’s crowning achievement is a failed attempt for the World Championship. The match in 1949 against Walter Hellman ended in a drawn score with Hellman retaining. Furthermore, he did have an unsuccessful run on a world title against Newell Banks. This attempt was in 1937 for the World Blindfold Championship.

Book index

Content

Who is this book for?

For any researcher of Ryan as it has some personal stories which describe his character and give you some insight. It has a very specific set of opening and explains the origins of some of the 3-move opening names. I would say a welcome addition to standard 3-move works like Basic Checkers or Complete Checkers if you are looking for something in detail on one of the specific openings covered in this book.

Conclusion

A classic that highlights some specific play lines so it’s overall a good book to add to your library. The private part with personal stories and problem section of Tom Wiswell rounds this book very well. Not a wide variety of openings in it but a must-have if you are looking for something specific. Yet fun and entertaining as Ryan likes to mix up the openings with some nice anecdotes and insights.