DRAUGHTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8842, 2 April 1892, Page 4 (Supplement)

DRAUGHTS.

PROBLEM No. 029. (By I'iUNiv Dunne, in the Leeds Mercury Supple meat ) WHITE.

Black. Black to move and draw. AUCKLAND CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNEY. Play in this tourney commenced on Monday and was continued on Thursday. As already stated, only six competitors entered, and as one of them (Mr. Battersby) failed to put in an appearance 011 both evenings, he will have to retire, so that really there were only five contestants. Henderson and Jenkinson were paired for the first round, the former winning 2 games, and 1 drawn. Dymock and Craig won 1 each and 2 draws. In playing off the tie on Thursday night another game was drawn, the next one being subject of dispute, awaiting decision by the committee. Messrs. Gunthorp and Henderson have not as yet.

met, but the contest for the cup will evidently resolve itself into the old battle between these two players, and there will doubtless be a keen struggle for mastery. The following game was played in the first round between Messrs. Jenkinson and Henderson — " Cross." Jenkinson's move. 1115 15—18 22-- 6 11-18 27-ZSc 14—23 23—18 20—22 2— 9a 20 —22 11—27 8— 3 B—ll 11— 28-19 18—25 32—23 23—27 27—23 17—13 3— 8 29-22 B—ll 3—7 4— 8 7—ll 25—22 9—14 23—18 27—31 23-19 13 9 1— « 31—27 - 9 7—ll I 9-14 8-13 30- 14—18b 19—15 31—27 18— 9 24—19 14—18 22-15 9-14 11—15 6—14 16-24 22-15 7-11 IB- 8 27-24 22—17 Drawn. Anderson gives 1 —10 here. (b) This should lose for Black. (c) 20—10, 11—IS, (1) 27—23, 18-27, 32—23, 6-10, 23—18, White wins. (1) 11-20, 27—24, 20-27, 32—23, C-9,53—18, White wins. TESTIMONIAL TO MR. HEDLEY. Complying with the request of Mr. Illingworth ("Souter's Friend"), of Katooinba, N. S. Wales, Mr. J. Little, draughts editor of the Christchurch Weekly Press, kindly forwards a circular letter addressed by the firstnamed well-known player to all the leading journals in Australia, making an appeal for assistance on behalf of his old friend, Mr. John Hedley (" Stouter"), of Leeds}, England. The latter was editor of the draughts column in the Leeds Mercury Supplement for a considerable period, which he conducted with great ability, but is now obliged through old age and failing health to give up play. "As a fitting tribute to the talent, zeal, anil singleness of purpose he has always displayed in the interests of our quiet but noble game,'"' it is intended to present him with an international testimonial, and contributions with that object are being taken up in America and England, as well as Australia. Any sums sent to this journal for the above fund will be duly acknowledged, and forwarded to Mr. Illingworth. The Aberdeen Free Press speaks of Mr. Hedley as follows : —"He was a man of great ability, versatility, and indomitable perseverance. He made his column the best in England, aposition.it stiil retains under Mr. Frank Dunne. He was not a mere editor, condensing and correcting other folks' materials, but was also a racy writer of short stories and poems." Mr. Illingworth refers to him as " the Charles Lamb of draughts literature, and as a problemist and analyist he stands in the front rank." The following poem, the composition of Mr. Hodley, will probably be familiar to old veterans, but may be new to the rising generation of players THE OLD DRAUGHTS ISOAKD. On the old draughts board, once so fondly adored, With a tearful eye 1 gazu ; Come down, old friend, for an hour we'll spend O'er a game of the bygone days. I play once more, as in days of yore, To the moves that task the brain ; To the lesson done and the victory won, In the old house down the lain*. Once more in their rows thy brave men repose till thy mystic squares, old friend ; And these riots of mine, wiih the veterans of Tyne, In visions and science blend, And 1 seem to stand with the veteran band, To list to their Voices again, As they tell with zest of the games played best, lii the old house down the lane. Then our cares were few, and our friends were true, And our griefs wero rare and light; Then draughts were naught (so we fondly thought) lint a fountain of pure delight. But its glory hath sped, and time hath fled With hopes we cherished in vain ; And passed away are the grave and gay From the old liou-e down tile lane. Hut we'll sing no more of the days of yore, For the tear-drop dims the eye ; ltest on, old oard, by thy silken cord 6 As in the days that have glided by. Still memory shall trace in thy checker'd face The records that cast no stain, On deeds that were done and victories won, In the old house down tho lane. The second deposit, of £10 a side for the match of .*{o restricted games between Messrs. [ 1). G. M'Kelvic anil J. rfearight has been made. Mr. Martins, ex-champion of {.lie world, has been playing all-comers in Glasgow. During the (irst week of February he contested ;H>, winning 45, and 11 drawn. A match of LI) games was recently played in Brisbane between Mr. Passey and Mr. Lane for a purse of ,tIU. Mr. Passey handicapping himself by allowing Mr. Lane to score - points for each win secured by him and 1 point for each draw, It ended with the close of the ISth game, which was one of five that were drawn, Mr. Lane winning by 4 wins and 5 draws, equivalent to l.'l points, against Mr. Pnssey's y wins. The Queenslander states that arrangements have been made for a return match.