Asa Long

Asa Long (1904 – 1999) was an American checkers player, winner of multiple US Championships, spanning more than sixty years, and a one-time World Champion.

At 16, Long won the state tournament and at 18 he became the youngest person to ever win the US national championship.

In the 1920s, Long began to devoting himself to studying the game in more depth as he had in essence been a remarkable amateur.

In the 1970s Long's involvement revived and in 1980 he became the oldest person to win the US championship in a surprise victory.

Before that he had mentored Marion Tinsley who would later defeat Long with consistency and be widely deemed the greatest player in the history of the game.