DRAUGHTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10425, 24 April 1897, Page 4 (Supplement)

DRAUGHTS.

SOLUTION OF PROBLEM Ho. 893. 15-18 18-22 28-24 24-31 20-21 24-28 23-19 19-23 11-18 18—25 23-27 Brawn

PROBLEM No. 895. (By Mr. W. Dickenson, Plumsteid, Kent. First prize problem in Colonel Ityan's tournoy. figure 5.) • . WHITR. ■

White to mote and win. Adjudicator's remarks: A fairly good figure. Very fine problem, admitting of a number of pretty variations.

The following game was awarded first prize in the Liverpool .Mercury competition for the game selected containing tile finest "shot." It was entered by Mr. L. S. Head.

Game No. 166.-" of the Mill." As played at Buffalo, N.Y., between Messrs. Hodges

and Mercer. 11-15 9-18 6-10 11-10 2-11 29-25 22—17 20 —23 24—20 20— 1 21— 21—30 8-11 10-11 1- Ga 3- 8 30—21 31-20 17- 13 24-19 30-20 I—ll 11— 9d 30—23 15-18 1- 8 14— 7-30 5-14 27 -2e 23-11 -21 23-140 11-7 White wins. (a) Sir. Hodges had frequently drawn this continuation of the opening quoted, but his opponent persisted in playing the Whites in the same manner time after time. This was unlike Hodges, but lie knew somehow that sootier or later Mercer would introduce a variation. (b) They had been at this point many a time, and Mercer had always followed a course irntitingly contrary to the fond wishes of the veteran. ( At last the "shot" was taken out of pure speculation. (c) But the veteran of 87 years was careful to take it the right way. , rL (d) And continued operations after the same manner. , , , „ „ (e) This ganio was also entered by Mr. W. S. Lambert, Edinburgh, who divided tho prize with Mr. L. S. Head.

Mr. Glidstone was recently interviewed on the game of draught*. The G.O.M. said: " The game of draughts is played by a maximum of persons with a minimum of intelligence. lam one of those who have always played but never understood. 1 The iratch between Grover and Freedman, after an exciting contest, was concluded at Boston, U.S.A., on the 13th February. Total score: - Orover, 4; Freedman, 2; drawn, 13. The match was for a stake of 400 dollars. Freedman was not satisfied with his defeat, and a similar match was arranged to commence on February 22. With regard to the Wyllie-Martins match the Draughts World says: we are still unable to make a definite announcement as to the date when this contest will take place, but we hope that it will be brought (iff successfully in April, The subscription list, we think, ought to be much larger, and we shall keep it open in the hope of receiving further contributions. So far a sum of about £42 has been subscribed." . „ ~ R. Stewart has written to the Glasgow Herald declining Jordin's conditions of a four wins up match, in the following terms:«". . . Now he has hardly agreed to play me a match on tinrestrictive lines, seeing lie has added to his acceptance a somewhat novel condition, whereby neither player could claim superiority until he had won four games. Say, for instance, that either player was to lead by three games, after playing 40, he • could not even then be considered the winner. It is simply preposterous- a most nonsensical proposal, and one I will have nothing to do with. It is not in accordance with the rules which have governed all previous matches,and I think it is a most unmanly way in getting out of its acceptance." Although somewhat more frail than his friends would like to see him (and it is not perhaps to be much wondered at in a ra in who numbers four-score years), the " Herd laddie" is still able to battle in a way that would do credit to the ablest of draughtplayers. A few weeks ago Mr. Wyllio presided at the opening functions of a new draughts club in the Douglas Arms, Milngavie. A large number of onlookers and players attended. An exhibition given by Dr. Schaefer on January 9 at Jersey City was highly appreciated by a large gathering of checker enthusiasts who watched the play. Oroasboard, blindfold, and simultaneous play were indulged in to the small hours of the night, ana humour anil good-fellowship were displayed by all. The doctor played 31 games in all, winning 10, losing 3, and 9 drawn. Mr. M. F. Clooser won a game crossboard. Mr. Van 1.0011 won his in tile simultaneous play, and Mr. John Gralvvni outlooked the doctor in the blindfold skirmish. Another exhibition will be given in a few week*.— Call