DRAUGHTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9010, 15 October 1892, Page 4 (Supplement)

DRAUGHTS.

TO CORRESPONDENTS. Problem No. 656.—Solved by " W.R.," Auckland, T. Dunn, Thames, and " J.G." SOLUTION OF PROBLEM No. 655. 19-15,10-26, 31-22, 9-18, 22— &c, W. wins. PROBLEM No. 657. (By HENRY Lee, of Stroud, Gloucester, in Bristol Mercury.) Black.

White. White to move and win. "Laird and Lady." The following game, with notes from the Liverpool Mercury, took the first prize in the game competition of that paper :— (Played in London thirty-two years ago, the late John Way having the White against It. Martina.) 11—15 9—13. 15—18 31—26 a 18—25 22— 23-19 17-14 26-23 17-21 29-22 4- Sd 8-11 10—17 13-17 25-22 11—16b 24— 22—17 21—14 And we have the following position Black men on 1, 2, 3, 5, 6,7, 8, 12,16, 21; White men on 14,17, 19, 20, 23, 26, 27, 28, 30, 32. Black to move. 5— 9f 30—21 28—24 17—13 27—23 19—15 20-4 3-8 3J-26 22-18 18-27 14-17 9—lß 4—ll 24—19 14t- 9 32—23 21—14 23-14 7—3og 86—22 1— 5 5—14 6— lob 21—25 Martina von.

(a) Mr. Martins explains that with the London players of the last generation this defence was "quite a favourite. It had been popularised by Mr. Seeley, then a veteran of 70, who had fifty years previously developed a taste for draughts under the tuition of the celebrated author, Joshua Sturges. Seeley and his contemporaries used to meet at a hostelry in John-street, Tottenham Court Road, and at the Silver Lion, in Goode-street, where were provided tables 3ft wide, furnished with checker men, each a work of art in solid ivory. At the tare in question the habitues were in the habit of pnctisisg the "Laird and Lady" opening, and Seeley's 31—26 defence came in for no small share of attention. Mr. Wav, then champion of England, had caught the infection, and just as often as Martins forced the opening Way would pursue the new continuation with more or less success. Each had an instinctive notion that there was a weakness in the defence, but many a game was lost and won ere the frail point came to light. (b) Anything else, aud White is sure to get the better game. (c) The expert will perceive that this move is practically forced. (d) Extremely ingenious. (e) Mr. Martins believes that the alternatives may be beaten e-iaily. (0 For a long time it was thought that this won outright. The course followed by Way evidently admits of no draw. But see note j. (g) The coup leaves Black a man short ; nevertheless, he wins without a difficulty. (h) The whole game is a fine example of draughts scientifically played. "It is one of the nicest things I ever found out." says the veteran. " There was a. time when I fondly imagined that my knowledge of tha game's intricacies would have served in a championship encounter, but the time has now gone by." (j) Revert agiiu to the position given above. Theoretically the game may, perhaps, be drawn, although for*all practical purposes Black obtains so much the bettor position that his chances of winning preponderate. Mr. Martins send the following figures illustrating White's weakness :— 5_ 9 17—10 -26-19 S-ll 7—lo 12—10 14_ ,-, o—3l s—ll 10—20 12-16 18-23 7—lo 20—22 3— 7 11— S 10—15 10—11 20— 4 31- 11— 8 19—23 16-12 15—19 * 10—14 4— S 12—16 B—l2 23—13 32-07 And the game is drawn. Mr. A. 3. Heffner points out the following neat variations of the above game in the Boston Globe :— 19—15 »7-23 16-20 14-10 15-18 23— 22- la 2—16 32—27 G—ls S— 3 22—26 15—11 11— S 13—17 21—14 18-22 27—23 1— S Drawn. j 12—16 16—20 13—17 14— 9 6—13 21— 27-2-". "2—27 Drawn. G— <) 13—17 22—IS 23—14 25— 30 10— C 14 -10 4- S 21—17 21—25 15—IS 2— 9-14 17-22 14-21 11—15 30-26 18—15 8-4 S—ll White wins. THE NEW DEPARTURE IN TIME- ; LIMIT. The Melbourne Weekly Times republishes the scores of several of the games played in the recent Auckland championship match, and in noticing the innovation introduced in the time-limit of 25 moves per hour, instead of the usual three or five minutes between ; the moves, makes the following remarks : — " We are glad to find that this contest, as far as time-limit was concerned, was conducted on the same principal as chess matches are now caried on, a special kind of clock being used, thus doing away with the necessity of a time-keeper. Twenty-five moves an hour was the time-limit, and the system worked admirably, and the number of moves could have been considerably increased without affecting the play of either of the contestants. We advocated this course many years ago in the Otago Witness, and it was heartily endorsed by many of the draughts editors at home, but this is the first time we have known it to have been put to the test. It seems like painting the lily to advocate the many advantages it possesses over the present system of rive minutes a move, for in many cases a second may be enough, whereas iu critical positions fifteen or twenty minutes might be required to fully grasp the situation. The quality of the play must necessarily be improved, whereas the game may not last nearly so long. We sincerely hope that the directors of the Chicago World's Fair Tournament will adopt this new and improved time-limit system, as we feel confident that it will give satisfaction to all concerned."

A number of games were played recently between the local champion, Mr. Gunthorp, and Mr. J. M. Hntton, of Uunedin. At the conclusion of the fifth game the score stood : — Gunthorp, 2 wins; Huttou, 1 win; drawn 2. Mr. Craig also had a sitting with another player from Dunedin, Mr. T. Ryan, the result being—Ryan, 3 wins ; Craig, 2 wins ; and several draws. .Southern players are anxious that the telegraphic match between Auckland and the South, which had been mooted some time ago, should be brought to a practical issue, and some of the leading players here have signified their willingness to take part in such contest. With a view of ascertaining whether the necessary arrangements can be made, it would be well to hold a meeting of local players for the purpose of taking the subject into consideration.