Background
Walter Oskar Fredrik Hellman was born in Gamla Nordsjö, Nordmaling, Sweden.
Walter Oskar Fredrik Hellman was born in Gamla Nordsjö, Nordmaling, Sweden.
His family moved to Gary, Indiana, United States, in 1926. Hellman placed 10th in the masters’ level at a young age of 18. Three years later, in the 9th American tournament of 1937 held at Martins Ferry, Ohio, Hellman placed third in the checkers.
Hellman held the title the American Checker Federation World Championship from 1948 until 1955 and from 1958 until 1975.
Hellman lost only one World Title match, in 1955 to Marion Tinsley. Winning the 8 other occasions in 1948, 1949, 1951, 1953, 1962, 1963, 1965 and 1967.
His final appearance in the checkers arena was when Hellman played on the United States. checkers team in the third International Match between the United States. and Great Britain at Bournemouth, England.