DRAUGHTS

Evening Star, Issue 19274, 12 June 1926, Page 13

DRAUGHTS

[Concluded by Arcary.] CommUTumlions intemtcH for lliis colurnn shonli bs sent to " Draughts Editor,” ' Evening Vnr Problems, grimes, criticisms, analyses, nncl invited. The subscription rate for the draufiht Issue is 8s 8d per annum, ported to any addre-* in the dominion. TO CORRESPONDENTS. “J.H.” (Dannevirke). — Have poster ‘Lees's Guido’ and * Hill’s Manna], a intrust (hat they will assist your study of tin game, “ G.A.8.” (Christchurch).- -Both letters I’ hand enclosing annotated games, for which thanks. ~ , .1. T. Gray Brisbane).-- Mid-week ■Sports ' for May’2o received, and fully ap predated. " J. 8.” (Dunedin).—Your letter to hand, and information noted. The matter yon re for to should bo cleared up. " J.O’N.” (Wiaitati). —Thanks for game; and news. "J.F.S.” rtnvercangdll).—Your letter te hnnd. and nows noted. The Draughts Clm would bo a good thing if kept going. ■WORLD'S CHAMPION. Robert Stewart, the draughts champion oi the world, was born at Blairadam, Scot land, in 1873. He was thirteen years ole. when the famous Ko.lty Club was formed, and wen’the ciub medal three years in sue cession, wh’on it. became his own. A. eighteen he met the veteran 4\.yllio in a si?:-gamo match, which resulted in a w:r enoh nnd four draws. .When the Scottish championship tourneys were inaugurated Stewart was only twenty, but he won five out of the seven he competed in. Playing against England in three intematioua

matches he lost no games. In the Britain v, America match in 1905, the last played, Stewart had no losses recorded against him. Giving simultaneous blindfold exhibitions throughout Scotland against teams of up to twenty-five players, he emerged without losing a game. Playing simultaneously against the leaning Scottish clubs, with over thirty boards and adopting the restriction, the result was 901 wins, 15a draws. The culminating point in Mr Stewarts career arrived when he met Mr Banks, the great American champion and export player, to do battle for the world's championship. Nothing, perhaps, has added more lustre to Stewart's fame as a draughts player than Heffner’s oulogv on Banks. On the eve of Banks’s departure for Scotland a farewell banquet was given in hie honor nearly 100 gentlemen being present. Mr A. J. Heffner, America’s greatest nnalvst. who had coached Banka, rose, amidst groat cheering, and, inter alia, said; “T luTOw what you all want mo to say. _ I won’t disappoint yon, but keep in mind what I sav is not based on more flattery. In my opinion you have in Nowell W. Banks the man who is capable-of detecting Robert Stewart and bringing, the, title to America. (Cheers.) Judging from trf experience in coaching nEver? fo>- important imtehes. I believe that Newel! TV. Barks is ?s good as. if not bolter linn. Clarence Freeman or Charles F. Barker in Heir palmiest days. (Cheers.) Banks is a comb-nation of Freeman and Barker. Freeman's forte was his mid-eame plav: and Barker, as an end-tr.a-mc plavcr. was invincible. Banks p'a.ys the mid-game bolter than Freeman, and ’he end-game as web a.s. if not better than. Barker. ' /rimers.) Our champion certainly has the ab’litv,” The meteh was nlavrel in Glnse-nw for a pnrrei of 5590 and the life of world’s chainmon. Result; Stewart 2, Banks 1; drawn 37. The ni.a.rpm in the champten’s favor is not op-nt., but, it is s-'gnifeani that. aUhonch a period of four and a-half years lias elapsed, ho has not recewed another e.'ia’tenre. Previous to tills match the-e was a period of twentv-n-e years in which Stewart lost no gatr.ps when playing m public, Beader-; wishing more ;.i r nv fi■■ n a lion' jl-e champ-on are re r " t ‘“cd to th° Banks v Ftewa.-t ' hook on tire match, from n-’ih-k {his greatly abridged account is Hi telly taken. PROBLEM No. 12L By Robert Ficwarl (world's champion). Black : 10. 13. 19. king 14.

White: 17, 22, 29, 30, king 31. While to pliy and win, 111 ST OR I CAT. (TAM KB. —Samples of Stewart’s Play.— The champion handled the White pieces in ail the following names. 'I h.s game was played in the final round of the ScottiM tourney of 1891, and is taken, witn ttu notes, from, the ‘Draughts Review '; Game No. 215 (h'econd Double Corner), Ferric's move.

(a) This variation of the Second Doulih Corner will always be a socteted with M Stewart's name, as he was the first pronu nent plaver to exploit tho line in ce.iion piny; 23-13 is the commanding move, who! make? (he most of the position and ius'.u.er tho preceding sacrifice of a man; 29-25 u on older movo. which probably draws w.;tt some little difficulty. (b) This shows that Mr Feme was or ground unknown to him. It .was eubscfluently eslabl’fiherl thnt 14*17 is tho b* l-ero, 'after which Black can keep the mar for a long time and cel quite a good ondin*c) A game wh : ch for a lone time revolutinnbed \he practice of the Second Doub.t Corner, Following game was played in tho 190' international at Newcastle. . Oatno am notes from the ‘Draughts Review’: Game No. 216 (Dumlec, 22-17 line). Gardner's move.

being three of the first game between J. iterrie and R. Jordan in their championhip match. , ~, , (b) Ferrie here played 9-13. and. although ho lost, it was afterwards established Mia.' ins move was probably the best, and in any base should have drawn; 7-10, however, is nferior, and is a virtual, if not ahfolu e, loss, as is demonstrated by Stewart in 's game, despite the resourceful defence pu up by the famous Yorkshireinan. The following games were played between Messrs N. W. Banks (America) and R. Stewart. (Scotland) in their ma the world's championship at Glasgow (-» -■)■ Annotated by the champion: Game No. 217 (Kelso Double). Banks’s move.

(a) For many years 6-10 at this invc.riahlv adopted in all match and to play, but recently this line bns come more nbo fashion. (b) Varies from preceding game te J -J‘). and is perhaps stronger. to) 7-10 nnd 6-10 are more common!} adopted here. , . , (d) The best movo at this point. (e) If 3-7, then 26-22 is strong fo ] (f) Making a sacrifice, but Black has vc.y little .alternative. , . ... _ ig) Returning the piece and initiating irreustiblp attack, , •, (h) The following diagram shows the siti. Mon at this stage:

White to play and win,

(i) Marking time. . . . (j) Permitting of a beautiful finish to (i good game. Game No. 218 (Denny Double). Banks's move.

(a) Varies from 11-15, as in. the preceding game, but this move has always been a favorite with players in general when developing the 24-19 line of the opening. (b) Timing developments, and preferable to 17-13. In several American columns in which this game has been published it-l-has been given before 29-25, which is incorrect. The correct order of the play i; bv 29-25, 11-16, 17-13. '(c) Bringing the game into a line ot pla} that has been very popular for many, and on which much play has been published (d) The departure from the beaten track. (e) Obviously overlooking the effect o White's next move; 16-20 is bettor, am. draws thus:

(f) A fine sacrifice, and precipitating the Black forces into- a difficulty from whirl they cannot bo extricated. For position so following diagram ;

White to play and win. (or) With this move the last ray of hap di,appears; 17-14, 10-17, 21-14 would )>c mil of 12-16, etc. TOWN v. COUNTRY MATCH. The annual event of town v % countr. teams took place on June 3 at the 3.M.C.A. Dunedin. Hie eounlrv team was captainei bv Mr A. Mui.TTlch, and the town team n >ir P. E. ll,;Hiker. As predicted, the com: try players had a harder task tins yea: and were beaten by 4 point*. After M Ililliker had spoken for the town player!tlie onntr.y captain Air Murdoch I, replym; lor his ride. said that there would have beet far more country players taking part- onh for 1.i’.0 fact 11 \\\i publicity urns uol uh'ii it p.lionld bo. For hM y«\ar Id V//is not prosont booatiso lio t fcirov there was a match on. 'the games beitii finished and refreshment? handed round pjtvers indulged in friendly and renr.niseeni relks. thus bringing to a ek.?e a very pl« sent and eniovabe evening. The following table shows the reore?: • Town. ■ Countiy. w. n. , y OF. K. Ililliker 6 J A. IWham .. 0 c F Moore 1 .1. Stevenson ... 1 IW. H. Rend-ill .1 A. B. Stewart 0 ] p Petersen n W. 11. Templeton 2 2 A. Penman 0 J. O Neill 2 2 D M’Kay ... 0 A. Murdoch ... 2 4 W Meldnim OP. M'Laren ... 0 2R f, M’Mnrray 1 J. M'Laren ... 1 3F. Bnreham IH. Bore-ham ... 9 15 4 I i Mr J. A. Borebam. against a strong op notiont, put. up I lie best score for the connfry. Hi? grandson (Master I‘rank Bore, ham), a very promising player, and Mr Meldnim topped t lore scores tor the town, which proved the decoding tec.'or in putting ihe Duiiedin.it.es on the right £ioe of the fence. NEWS AND NOTES. Brown's Extended Challenge. Mr G. A Brown’s clrallenge, which appeared last i sue i s n ow extended to inciude any p.aym in the South Island, and the terms and conditions will be the smne. (Macro Draughts Club.- Tim secretary (Mi las. Brecon at]vises that the club tonrnanout starts to-night, when tl w hoped a great many players wdl be present, citae. is comi>ctitors or spectators.

11 15 10 17 14 18b 17 22 5 9 24 21 24 19 21 U 29 25 6 2 17 13 10 i 15 21 6 10 9 14 ?2 25 9 14 25 2 28 19 n 9 15 10 21 17 3 7 7 . 8 11 5 14 14 17 25 29 14 17 21 1'. 22 18 18 9 25 22 2 7 7 11 13 ! 11 16 1 5 17 26 3 10 16 19 17 125 22 9 G 30 14 14 7 15 10 9 ! 16 20 2 9 13 17 29 25 17 22 14 f 22 17 25 18a 10 6 7 3 11 15 5 j 9 13 10 14 7 11 11 16 19 24 9 f 17 14 13 15 25 21 19 15 15 19 -19 2'W. v.’in!

32 36 9 14 7 10b 20 ’7 15 19 6 U 22 17 18 9 17 13 ,31 24 22 18 15 t 36 19 6 22 2 6 11 16 19 23 .30 224 15 26 17 26 23 18 11 2 7 i7 r 10 19 5 9 8 11 16 19 23 26 25 2’ 23 16 29 25 23 18 23 16 7 11 14 V 31 20 11 15 3 8 12 28 £6 30 22 1 25 2?, 25 2?. 27 23 11 7 11 15 6 8 ii 4 8 8 12 10 15 1 5 15 f 22 18 30 26a 28 24 7 2 21 17 W.TV - (a) The moves to this poini ■are historic,

10 15 7 10 7 11 11 15 9 14 4 8 21 19 22 188 21 17? 23 16i 7 2 20 16 15 24 16 20 e 14 21' 6 10 14 17 8 12 28 19 29 25 19 16h 18 11 2 7 24 19 914a 1 5 12 19 8 15 10 14 17 21 y> 18 25 22 23 7 16 11 30 25j 26 30 5 9 3 7 2 11 9 13 21 50 14 17 ?5 22b 52 23 31 27 28 24 7 10 30 26 11 16c 20 24f 10 19 5 9 52 23 \V. ,w. IB 15 27 20 27 23 11 7 10 26

10 14 5 14 2 6e 3 8 15 22 15 1' 24 19 26 22 30 26d 28 19 26 17 20 It G 10 11 15 8 Ho 11 15 4 8 18 23 22 17 22 17 74 20E 20 11 31 27 16 11 9 13a 7 11 15 24 15 24 8 11 23 27 28 24 29 25b 25 22 27 20 27 24 24 20 13 23 ' 11 15 1 5 8 15 11 15 14 18 25 9 17 13 32 23 22 18 23 19 (?11 7 W. win?

Hi 20 25 22 12 19 21 14 17 26 7 1C 32. 28' 8 11 23 16 10 17 51 22 Drav 3 7 19 16 14 17 26 23