Openings

Denny (10-14)

One of Ink’s weaker first moves, because it gives Pink several strong replies. It’s still perfectly playable. Here’s every sound reply, the line Checky teaches for each, and where it goes wrong.

By the Checky team · Updated 4 November 2026

Short answer

Denny is the first move 10-14: Ink moves the man on 10 to 14. Pink’s sound replies are 22-17, 24-20, 22-18, 24-19, 23-19. Their lines have 4 traps worth knowing, below.

The first move

Written 10-14, it means Ink moves the man on square 10 to square 14. Pink has 5 sound replies, and each one leads to openings of its own. Below is each reply, the line Checky teaches for it, and the traps to watch for.

The checkers opening move 10-14, Denny — Denny: 10-14.

22-17

Pink answers 10-14 with 22-17. It has no name of its own, but it’s a sound reply that you’ll meet.

The main line Checky teaches: 10-14 22-17 7-10 17-13 3-7 24-19 11-16 25-22 14-17 21x14 9x18x25 29x22 8-11.

The checkers opening 10-14 22-17 — The main line after 10-14 22-17.

Named openings after 10-14 22-17

Dubious Denny 10-14 22-17 7-10. An old main line. In the late 1800s, 22-17 was thought to be Pink’s strongest reply to the Denny.
Black Hole 10-14 22-17 9-13 17x10. One of the hardest lines for Ink, named for the hole 6x15 leaves. Taking with 7x14 loses.
Denny Dodger 10-14 22-17 11-15 17x10 7x14. Also called Tinsley’s Denny: in 1952 he suggested this barred line could be held, and he was right.
Gemini 1 10-14 22-17 11-16 17x10. Gemini 2’s twin, and very hard for Ink: only 6x15 holds. It joined the tournament list in 2003.
Heebie-Jeebies 10-14 22-17 14-18 23x14 9x18. An old line from the 1867 Martins–Wyllie match. Hard for Ink, but 14-18 is well regarded.

Trap: Ink’s 14-18

After 10-14 22-17 7-10 17-13 3-7 24-19 11-16 25-22, Ink’s 14-18 looks natural, but it loses a man to 22x15. You play Pink here: find the punishment.

A checkers position where Ink has just played 14-18

24-20

Pink answers 10-14 with 24-20. It has no name of its own, but it’s a sound reply that you’ll meet.

The main line Checky teaches: 10-14 24-20 11-15 22-18 15x22 26x17x10 6x15 28-24 8-11.

The checkers opening 10-14 24-20 — The main line after 10-14 24-20.

Trap: Pink’s 25-22

After 10-14 24-20 7-10 22-18 9-13 18x9 5x14 28-24 11-15 23-18 14x23 27x18x11 8x15, Pink’s 25-22 looks natural, but it loses a man to 15-18 22x15 10x19x28. You play Ink here: find the punishment.

A checkers position where Pink has just played 25-22

22-18

Pink answers 10-14 with 22-18. It has no name of its own, but it’s a sound reply that you’ll meet.

The main line Checky teaches: 10-14 22-18 7-10 25-22 11-16 29-25 8-11 24-20 10-15.

The checkers opening 10-14 22-18 — The main line after 10-14 22-18.

Named openings after 10-14 22-18

Fraser’s Inferno 10-14 22-18 7-10. Named by Canadian master W.R. Fraser, who tried it twice against Tom Wiswell in 1960, without success.

Trap: Ink’s 11-15

After 10-14 22-18 7-10 25-22 11-16 24-19 8-11 27-24, Ink’s 11-15 looks natural, but it loses a man to 18x11. You play Pink here: find the punishment.

A checkers position where Ink has just played 11-15

Trap: Pink’s 21-17

After 10-14 22-18 7-10 25-22 11-16 29-25 8-11 24-20 10-15, Pink’s 21-17 looks natural, but it loses a man to 14x21. You play Ink here: find the punishment.

A checkers position where Pink has just played 21-17

24-19

Pink answers 10-14 with 24-19. It has no name of its own, but it’s a sound reply that you’ll meet.

The main line Checky teaches: 10-14 24-19 6-10 28-24 11-15 22-18 15x22 25x18 9-13 18x9 5x14.

The checkers opening 10-14 24-19 — The main line after 10-14 24-19.

Named openings after 10-14 24-19

Nemesis 10-14 24-19 6-10. Thought the Denny’s best road for both sides. Maurice Chamblee named it, then lost with it in 1951.

23-19

Pink answers 10-14 with 23-19. It has no name of its own, but it’s a sound reply that you’ll meet.

The main line Checky teaches: 10-14 23-19 7-10 27-23 11-16 24-20 3-7 20x11 8x15x24 28x19 4-8.

The checkers opening 10-14 23-19 — The main line after 10-14 23-19.

Named openings after 10-14 23-19

Diabolical Denny 10-14 23-19 7-10. An old line from the late 1800s. One book answer, 19-15, sets off a swap of three men each.
Virginia 10-14 23-19 11-15 19x10 6x15. Named in the 1870s. Ink swaps a man straight away with 11-15, and the main book answer is 22-18.

Learn the Denny in Checky

Checky’s Openings teach the Denny one line at a time: 25 lines for Ink across 5 replies, with a test at the end of each reply to check you know them. You can learn them as Pink too. Start learning openings.

Questions people ask

What is the Denny in checkers?

It’s the first move 10-14, where Ink moves the man on 10 to 14. One of Ink’s weaker first moves, because it gives Pink several strong replies. It’s still perfectly playable.

What can Pink play against 10-14?

Pink’s sound replies are 22-17, 24-20, 22-18, 24-19, 23-19. Each one is shown above with its main line.

How do I learn the Denny?

Learn one reply at a time, starting with its main line. Checky’s Openings teach them move by move, then test you on them.