DRAUGHTS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 9, 10 July 1909, Page 3

DRAUGHTS.

CHAMPIONSHIP OF AUSTRALASIA. With reference to the tourney shortly to be held in Brisbane to decide the championship of Australasia, the following particulars have been received by this week's mail from Australia: — "Nominations close at 7.30 p.m. on Saturday, 7th August, and play commences on Monday, 9th August, at 7.30 pan. Rules: M'Culloch's Anderson. Single knock-out of six games, unrestricted. (In case of a tie, then a restricted two-move opening will bo drawn). Every effort willTao made to finish the tourney within a week, if possible. 'Entrance fee £1. Competitors must bo residents of Australasia for my months prior to date of nomination. Complete list of printed rules will bo forwarded as soon as possible, say, within a week. — Dated Brisbane, 23rd Juue, 1909." Further particulars are given in a covering letter from Mr. Charles Abraham, son., tho hon. secretary and treasurer, and also in a cutting from the Daily Mail of 26th ult., which he encloses. It is stated that tho prizes "will be sufficient, inducement to attract the bost players from all parts," and that board and lodging in Brisbane at the time of the exhibition will be from 25s per week. Tho tourney will be formally opened by tho Mayor of Brisbane, Alderman Thomas Wilson. Should a tie not | be decided by the two-move restricted opening, another opening will bo drawn, and so on until the winner is declared. To facilitate progress in the event of a tie lasting two days, the committee reserve tho power to ballot for the winnor — the loser of the ballot to have his ontry-money returned. Tho winner in the final heat becomes the draughts champion of Australasia, and takes tho first prize; tho loser in tho final heat takes tho seoond prize. There will bo third and fourth prizes for the players in the semi-final. Thore will also be a consolation match between the remaining players, which will commence with tho losers of tho first hoat, other players falling in as they drop out of the othor rounds. The title will be held unchallengeable fox a period of six months, after wffich any challenge must be accepted and the title played for within three months from date of receipt, unless otherwise arranged between tho players, and, at tho option of tho holder, shall bo for a stake of not less than £20. Tho foregoing conditions have caused a measure of disappointment amongst local enthusiasts, more especially the decision to only allow competitors "one life. The general opinion appears to be that where, as in this instance, competitors are invited to travel long distancos to take part, tho contest should at least offered each entrant "two lives.' Nor do our players see any reason why such an important tourney — admittedly the first of its kind for more than twonty yoars past— should be rushed through in one week. The hours of play appear to have been fixed to suit local plas-ers following their ordinary avocations during tho day, viz., 7.30 p,m» to 10.30 p.m., provision only, being made for afternoon sittings on "Saturdays and holidays. By way of summing up, it may be said that to those intending competitors who livo at considerable distances from Brisbano the conditions are far from attractive. CHAMPIONSHIP OF WELLINGTON. Since our last report of the above contest, it has been advanced another stage. lhe match between Messrs. Reilly and Moulton resulted in favour of the former by three wins to onef Last evening Messrs. Butler and Reilly (both of the Waterside Workers' Draughts Club) were pitted against each other. Reilly won the first two games, and only required a draw to secure the verdict. Butler, however, made a splondid recovery, winning tho next two games, and also an extra game which wa3 played to decide tho tie. Messrs. Moulton and Roilly thu* retire from the competition, in which the five survivors are as follow : —Messrs. Loggatt, M'Pherson, and C. Reed (all unbeaten), and Messrs. Darling (Petono) and Butler, each with one loss. Through the Reed v. M'Pherson match being spread over two evenings, some confusion arose as to tho right of first move "1. *-ne last gamo, whioh was won by JU Phorson, who played with the black ?l Cn "T, „ SUD3 equontly transpired that « ,£, should have played black, and Mr. M'Pherson has thereforo agreed to play the gatnc o\er again on Monday oyenmg, rather than have the assistance °*. * ny undue advantage, no matter how trifling. His, sportsmanlike action has been greatly admired by local enthusi-