Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson for July 24, 2023

That one remaining piece has special ninja powers.

Better “Checker” again, Calvin.

I suggest a new strategy Calvin-let the tiger win. Humans aren’t known to tear your hearts out when they lose. ;D (With apologies to the gang of Star Wars Episode IV.;-D)

Whenever Hobbes wins he has this funny look of satisfaction that is so spot on!! Watterson is a genius.

It has lots of room to manoeuvre.

Win or lose, never leave the field without a parting shot.

Today’s strip reminds me of another game of checkers which Calvin lost to Hobbes. I read that in my first Calvin and Hobbes collection “Something Under The Bed Is Drooling” which was the second published. I came into Calvin and Hobbes early enough to read the second collection first, the first collection second and the remaining collections in order of publication.

In the strip I’m remembering, Calvin starts out by moving his piece and telling Hobbes, “Ha! Your cunning strategy has tragically backfired!” It turns out that Calvin is playing right into Hobbes’s paws as Hobbes then takes all of Calvin’s pieces in one move. “AAAGH! I lost! I always lose! I hate losing!” Calvin goes on to tell Hobbes, “You cheated! You used some nasty sneaky mind meld to make me lose! I hate you!” In the final panel, Hobbes tells Calvin, “Look, it’s only a game!” Calvin replied, “I know. You should see me when I lose in real life.”

When that was last reprinted, someone asked “Did Calvin just admit that playing with Hobbes isn’t real life?” I replied, “No. That was Calvin reassuring Hobbes that he knows the difference between a game and real life. In replying to Hobbes, he is acknowledging Hobbes’s existence not denying it.”

I just love this cartoon!

Delusion sometimes dies hard.

Its time for Calvins Ludicrus moves!!! lol

Hobbes doesn’t have to worry about Admiral Ackbar coming by and saying “It’s a trap!”

Calvin you better be good at something, playing checkers solo and losing is not a good sign.

At least he didn’t knock the board over…..

Maybe Calvin had thought they were playing chess.

New rule, ‘Calvin’ me!

Calvin has a cunning plan, so cunning, as to make a fox jealous.

Apologies to Blackadder and Baldrick

If only they were playing chess.

“Aha! Now I have you right where you want me!”

Now I’ve seen it all! Playing checkers with a stuffed tiger and the tiger wins!!

LOL… Calvin never gives up trying to manipulate and scam.

I think Calvin’s problem may be that he was going for checkmate. :)

Another instance where one should quit while they’re behind.

Well, there’s only one alternative solution to this conundrum: shift directly into…Calvinball!

Time to play soccer checkers

It is always remarkable to consider that Calvin’s imagination is so good, his imaginary friend can play checkers with him and win.

Yep, wait ’til you see Plan B.

Calvin: “Okay, HERE’S my strategic move…” (proceeds to throw checker board across the room)

Calvin players checkers like I do, I always lose because my opponent can always barricade me in a corner with no way out. I could never seem to outwit whoever I was playing and they always won.

“A strange game. The only winning move is not to play.”

Just came across https://twitter.com/i/status/1683531237825159168