DRAUGHTS

Evening Star, Issue 19328, 14 August 1926, Page 18

DRAUGHTS

[Conducted by Aecabt.] Communications intended for this column should be sent to *• Draughts Editor," ‘ Evening Star.' Problems, games, criticisms, analyses, and news invited. The subscription 'rate for the draughts issue is 8s 8d per annum, posted to any addrcti in the dominion. TO CORRESPONDENTS. “W.0.M.” (Port Chalmers). —Received your throe letters and post card. He solution 131, you have brought out many fine points, but it still falls short erf the real thing. “ T.0.G.” (Milton). —You have not shown your usual form when it cornea to solving Mr Boroham's problem. “ 8.G.” • (Dannevirke). —Your splendid offer for nest correspondence tourney is greatly appreciated. 1 note that yourself and Mr Haines wish, to enter. " A.Jdi.” (Balclatha).—ln variation of your solution marked (2), instead of 15-11 play 4-8, and W. wins. Please note that the essential moves require to bo marked with an asterisk. “J.iON.” (Waitati). —Tour three letters to hand. Re solution to problem 151: At note (b), where you say “14-10, followed by 10-12, draws easily,” continue with 4-8, and W. wins easily 1 *■ (Waipiata).—Thsmks for now problem and notes on positions. Your remarks ro match with Mr Brown are noted. “G.FJI.” (Gore). —'Both letters to hand. Sorry to know that you have been unwell, but trust that you are better again. Your Eolation 151 has many fine points, but there is still room for improvement. Solution 130 is right. “ L.R.M.” (Palmerston).—Pleased to see you in the draughts arena again. Had you played as well in the late tourney ns you do when solving problems the casualty list would have boon big. ■ p K.K.” (Wellington).—Received your acknowledgment of lisl-s of names. “ R.C. ’ (Dunedin).— Ec solution of Mr Boroham’s problem: At variation (a), instead of 15-11, play 4-8, and W. wins. “J.L.” (Green Island).—Thu first few moves of your neatly—w nt ten-ont solution 131 are good, then your wander from tho right path. ‘•.IB.” (Dunedin).— Thanks for copy. “ E.E.” (City).—At thirteenth movo of solution 131, instead of 2-9, play 15-8, and B. wins. PRIZE PROBLEM. Thrcc-by-two problems are always intcrcslonv, and this masterpiece will not bo found lacking in that respect. It is probably not quite as difficult as Mr Borebams problem, which is testing the analytical ability of solvers. 1 —Problem No. 133. — By L. J. Vair (America). Black: 5, king: 13, 23.

White: Kings 11, 2L White to play. What result? A ‘Draughts Review’ will bo posted to each of the first six successful solvers.

BOMM.ON TOURNAMENT GAMES. Played in Dunedin, 1906. Tho following pair of games were played between Messrs F. Hutchins (Invercargill) and H. Morris (Tuatapere) in. tho last New Zealand tourney:—

Game No. 260, “Second Double Comer.” Hutchins’s move.

11 15 19 16 16 19 31 27 19 25 11 8 24 19 12 19 20 16 15 18 27 24 23 18 15 24 23 16 5 9 17 14 26 30 8 4 28 19 4 8 17 13 10 17 24 20 d!8 15 8 iJla 16 12 14 18 21 5 16 19 drawn 22 17b 811 22 17 18 220 20 16 914 27 24 18 23 26 17 30 25 25 22 11 16 16 11 23 26 16 11 11 15 24 20 716 30 23 23 23

Annotated by Mir G. A. Brown (champion). (a) 9-14 is a good alternative. (b) Tho most natural and usual more is 22-18. ~ , . „ . (c) A good sacrifice, which gives Black the better game. , (d) The score-sheet says “drawn.’ I think Black could have forced a win. Tho position is interesting, and is illustrated on following diagram:—-

White to play. Game No. 251, “Second Double Corner.” Morris’s move.

(a) Forms the “Second Donbln Corner,” an opening rather weak for \\Wte(b) r .Uhis movo loses j 19-16 is too correct move to draw. . _,, (c) 4-8 wins as per variation 1. Puller play cm this critical position can be found in ‘ MCulloch’o Guide.’

Variation L

Following, pair of games wore played between M«sra B. J. Marnell (Glenham). and

L. R. Morris (Palmerston). The notes aro Mr Brown's: Game No. 262, “ Will-o’-lhe-Wisp.”

(a) 22-18 is safer and stronger. (lb) 53 is best, although 5-9 or text will draw. ' ' . ~ (o) This position frequently crops up m the “Cross” and “Nailor” openings.. (d) 18-15 is correct; but 30-26, 5-9, 18-15, 10-19, 24-15, 5-7, 32-27 foams an interesting position,■ usually brought up as follows: 9A4. 24-20, 5-9, 22-18, 10-15 , 28-24, 15-22, 26-10, 7-14, 25-22, 1-5, 22-17, 14-18, 23-14, 0-18, 30-26, 3-7 —same position, wmi cuiois reversed.. .... (e) This movo cramps Whites single corner; 18-15 might draw. Game No. 263, “Edinburgh Book.” Morris’s move.

(a) Test is just as good as the more popular 11-15. , ... (b) Lees played than 25-23, because it us more complicated. M This move is weak; 10-20 is very wrong, (d) 22-17 is given in the books. This position is frequently brought up as follows; ]-i5 or 11-16, 25-18, 16-19, 2-4-15, 10-19, 18-15, 9-13. . , „ (e) 25-21 looks like a in, aa the following diagram indicates:

White to play.

The following games were played between Messrs J. A. Scout (Mossbum) and J. Bibs (Mbsgiol) in the recent tourney. Tho notes are by Mr (Brown:

Game No. 26-4, “Waterloo.” Scott’s move.

(a) Forms tho “Waterloo,” generally regarded as weak for the second player. (b) This natural-looking move is weak, as -Black, by replying 68, gets a splendid game; 17-13 is better. (c) Strickland published play showing a draw, by 30-26; 2>22 alro draws as per variation 1. The position is worthy ot a diagram:

(a) 26-23, forming what is known as the “Crescent Cross,” is regarded as inferior to teak (b) 10-14' is favored by those who desire a complicated game. (c) This is Black’s safest movo; hut 10-14 is stronger. (d) Text probably loses; 15-18 or 6-9, which generally runs into the “Old Fourteenth,” is best. SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS. Problem No, 129, by M. IL G. WardeH (Black: 11, kings 8, 13. Whito: 24, kings 4, 5. Black to play and winThe following solution is by Mr W. J. Marsh, who contributed the problem: — 812 13 17 17 22 11 16 22 18 16 19 24 19a 5 9 914 19 15 14 23 etc. and Black -wins in exactly the same way as in problem 126. (a) Lf 24-20, of course the Black king would effectually hold the two pieces on the side of the board, allowing single to crown. Problem No. 130, by J. A. Lucas. Black: 8, 12, 21, 27. White:' 15, 23, 26, 30, king 20. Black to play. W. wins. Quito a number of solutions have been received to this problem, and the solvere will be interested in examining the play by its

CRITICISMS AND COMMENTS. [By J. A. Boreham.] In ro Mr Marsh's remark on problem 122 and my solution, I think it a quicker way to win than Mr Marsh’s. It w.is played crosi-board, and wttih a similar position I would lake same course again. Ho solution 125, 1 wish Mr Marsh In remember that I was not, ;U tcaupting a W. win, but showing the best play for Black—to try to win against 50-25 (this being a starred move), and apparently the only move to draw. Thera never was a doubt that (Black could draw; it is for White, not Black, to find the draw. Whilst on this position,, I will set a problem for Mr Marsh: Black—3, 6,7, 10, 12, 13, 14; White —l9, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26. Black to play; White to draw. Will Mr Marsh have a try to find the diraw against 6-9? Not two or throe moves, but demonstrating a White draw. [By J. ,o’Nm] Just a note ro the annotations to games by the experts. They are very, interesting and instructive, but there is one fault I find with most of them—that when they say ‘ Lee’s .Guide ’ or some other text book they do not give the page where to find it. The only exception I have noticed since Easter ia Mr Lucas's notes to a game. He gave tie page in ‘Dunne's Prase,’ where he said an interesting variation would be found, when all one had to do was to turn up the page, andi there it was. Of course, one must not ask too much tram there men, as all of them must spend a. great deal of valuable time in writing the notes; but if they knew the page in any test book whore further play could be found, all they would have to do is to name it, and then a novice like myself could look it up. A SPLENDID OFFER. A very gcne’ous offer for the nest correspondence tournament has just been received from Mr E. Gibbaid, of Dannevirke. “I would like to see the next correspondence tournament as big as possible,” says Mr Gibbard, “and if Oalderwood and Brown enter 1 will offer a donation of £1 Is for every eight competitors up to forty. With this number at an entrance fee of 5s each, there would bo £ls 5s for prize money, without any other offers.” If every player trios to get two or three others to join, then the shove total should soon be reached. With ’ forty entries, the prize money will bo made up to ;*fc. least £3O. Four entries ,&asa been noribred to dato, 1

11 15 5 9 9 14 16 19 15 19 29 25 24 19a 25 22 17 15 23 16 23 18 17 13 15 24 7 10 14 17 12 19 19 24 20 24 23 19 16 11 13 9 32 28 27 23 13 9 8 11 10 15 17 21 4 8 24 2/ 24 28 22 18 19 10 9 6 9 14 23 19 10 6 10 14 6 15 22 25 8 11 27 31 1 10 25 22 11 7 6 2 14 18 26 22 18 '5 11 16 2 11 25 23 25 29 31 27 25 22 22 17 2 6 j 6 z3 lb ±Z lb Z 1 16 20 15 22 29 25 19 24 21 21 22 18 18 15b 26 10 31 26 23 19 19 10 12 8 rfl 13-115 22 11 16 11 15 24 19 5 19 22 18 21 17 6 9 19 16 22 17 drawn

4 8 31 24 2 6 22 17 10 17 5 1 22 18 16 20 22 17 5 9 21 5 27 21 7 11 32 27 9 13 23 18 27 32 18 15 2d 22 6 10 18 2 11 16 2 6 26 22 11 16 IS 6 13 51 27 23 31 26 1 6 2.1 24 1 10 25 22 20 27 6 10 J5.W. £0 27 30 26 8 11 17 14 32 27

Mamell’s move. 9 13 7 16 19 23 15 24 27 31 27 24 23 19 24 20d 18 15 28 19 23 18 19 15 11 15 16 19 6 10 23 27 ’ 31 27 24 19 28 25a 21 17o IS 6 22 18 25 22 IS 11 8 life 4 8 110 13 22 3 7 19 15 23 18o 18 15 28 24 18 15 29 25 10 6 11 16 19 23 8 11 22 26 7 10 15 8 18 U 3d 27 24 19 15 6 18 15 6 2 16 23 10 19 11 15 2 9 10 14 8 11 27 18 27 18 32 28 30 23 15 10 B.w.

9 13 22 1M 6 9 14 lOo 3 10 27 21 23 19 12 16 17 14 9 14 15 6 20 27 il 16a 25 22 4 8 18 9 1 10 31 15 19 ISb 8 12 27 23 5 14 18 15 11 18 10 19 29 25 12 16 22 18 11 18 25 22 24 15 16 20 32 27 14 17 23 7 18 25 16 19c 21 17 7 11 10 7 2 11 drawn

11 IS 28 19 6 9 25 22 16 23 2 7 23 18 11 15 17 13 8 11 15 9 25 30 8 11 27 24 11 16 22 17 14 IB ' 7 10 18 14a 5 9 13 6 9 13 9 6 14 18 9 18 21 17 16 23 30 26 23 25 10 19 24 19 9 14 26 19 13 22 31 22 18 23 15 24 25 21 2 9 23 17 18 25 19 23 22 8 7 HI•22 2Sc 11 16 6 2 30 23 4 11 29 2ab 3 8 17 13 10 14 B. 24 20 ■wins

25 22 3 8 White to play. 'Variation 1. 27 23 13 22 24 20 14 18 9 13 32 27 1 5 26 17 18 27 17 14 30 23 8 11 22 17 15 18 31 24 drawn 11 15 F. Dum*e. Game No. 265, “Cross.’' Ellis’s move. 4 8b 5 14 10 17 3 10 16 23 23 13 23 19 22 17 21 14 26 22 25 21 8 11 9 13o 14 18d 7 10 11 16 18 25 .27 23a 18 9 17 14 14 7 31 27 W.w.

author (•Mr Lucas) :— 2V n 21 IS 17 14 3 7 19 24 25 19 28 22 26 17 11 7 16 20 27 23 24 28 U) rj ii 14 18 2+ 2/ 24 23 15 id la Li 12 10 7 3 15 19 10 15 W.Vr 8 16 20 24 18 IS 7 iO 2a 24