"Checkmate" was designed by Doug Peterson and built in San Diego by renowned builder Carl Eichenlaub at his Shelter Island yard in April 1978. She was lighter and with wider stern sections than typical Peterson designs of the time, and aimed at doing well in the light air downwind races to Mexico on the US West Coast. Checkmate was notable for her varnished topsides that showed off a Meranti veneer over her Cedar plank construction, and her glossy finish remains to this day. Checkmate established an outright elapsed time record in the La Paz Race in 1979 (where she also finished second overall and first in Class A), and held this record for about 20 years. The build method was cold molded (epoxy glued) with transverse bulkheads and longitudinal stringers supporting triple planking over laminated frames. The hull is epoxy planked and screwed with two layers of cedar followed by an outer layer of Meranti mahogany. The hull was built upside down in the traditional cold molded method. It is the Meranti planks that give "Checkmate's" naturally finished hull its distinctive appearance. Yacht designer Bill Tripp was working in the Peterson office at the time, and closely followed construction. "Checkmate's" was bought the boat in 2000, and delivered her to builder Dennis Choate in Long Beach for a complete restoration including a new deck, cockpit, and interior. Originally built flush decked with a simple racing interior, "Checkmate" came out of Choate's yard as a fast and comfortable boat. Her new low deckhouse, connected to the cockpit seats, provided ease getting below, and protection from weather, especially with a custom dodger. The deckhouse was carefully designed to not interfere with "Checkmate's" simple yet elegant appearance. "Checkmate" was most changed below deck. Using "Checkmate's" beam and headroom, a complete new interior now provided a spacious and warm layout. Her large salon is dominated by a big galley and table settee, with pilot berths port and starboard. Aft is the owner's cabin with ensuite head and shower. Forward of the mast is another head and shower. This forward area is features a wide double berth which can be removed for racing. Much of the interior shows her beautiful natural hull finish, set off by the off-white cabinetry and bulkheads from the re-fit. A key element of the refit was the careful installation of the 100hp Yanmar diesel engine, with custom aqua drive, thrust bearing and large folding prop. This allows the boat to motor smoothly at 9 knots.
Under its new owner, Checkmate was sailed across the Pacific in December 2017 and made the startline for the 360nm Pittwater to Paradise Race (from north Sydney to the Gold Coast) in 2018. Checkmate was fitted with a complete new sail inventory including main, J1, J2, J5, S2, S4, staysails and even a blooper. Headsails were intentionally built smaller to reduce the IRC rating (to 1.113). The bottom was completely re-done and the foils faired and optimised. Checkmate won all the handicap prizes (IRC, ORCi and PHRF), and finished fifth on line (in the 17 boat fleet).