DRAUGHTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12076, 20 September 1902, Page 4 (Supplement)

DRAUGHTS.

SOLUTION OF PROBLEM No. 1175. Position:—Black men on 1, 5. 8.11,15,19, 21,24 • White men oil 25. 28. 31; kings on*'?', 1, 14. Black to move and win.

21-25 15—13 18-27' 25—30 30- 7 7-23 22-19 4-11 31-24

Black wins.

PROBLEM No. 1177. (By ISAIAH Barker, in the Chicago Inter-

Ocean.) black.

WHITE. Black to move and White to draw,

MELBOURNE TOWN V. COUNTRY

MATCH'.

The annual match between draughts plavers resident within live miles of the General i'ost Cities and those resident nt a greater distance was contested on Friday, September 5. The play took place in the supper-room 'fit' the Melbourne Town Hall. Mr. F. T. Best, champion of Victoria, was the captain of Use town team; Mr. Joseph Irvine, of Drysdale. was the captain of the country team; and Mr. Thomas Harlin was the chairman of the Scoring' Committee and the director of play. The number of players paired was 160, and the total number of games contested was 463. Of these 209 were wins foi the town team, 145 were wins for the country team, and 109 were drawn. The corresponding statistics for 1901 were:—Players paired, 164; games, 431; town wins, 216; country wins. 170; draws. 95. The preceding figures show that the town win of this year was rather more decisive than the town win of last year. After the announcement of the scores Mr. Joseph Irvine was re-elected, by acclamation, captain of the country team for the current year; and Mr. Robert Davis, the vice-presi-dent. of the Draughts Association, presented Mr. I). E. Hay with a purse, contributed by the draughts players of the State, as ail acknowledgment of his services in promoting the interests of the game in Victoria. Appended are two of the games contested daring the match (taken, with above particulars, from Australasian):— Game No. 527.—" The Single Corner." Black, Mr. H. M'Diarmed, Prahian (town); White, Mr. W. Houston. Auburn (country).

And Mr. Taylor won. PLAYING CHECKERS AT THE STOKE. - In X dim nook partly sheltered By the barrels therein stored. With a rapt, intent expression. Sit two players at the board; And the country merchant lingers, Loath to servo the public more, For his thoughts are with tho worthies Playing checkers at the store. Pondering the situation On the mimic battlefield. Guar carefully the " king l row," Lest the small battalion yield. Jumping with a gleeful chuckle, "Crowning".his opponent's "king',"With a slow and shrewd decision, All his plots manoeuvring. E'en the supper hour approaching, With its promise of good cheer, Has no magic in its summons To entice the players here; Yet, the contest, in its finish, With its fine unwritten law. May, with all its complications, Be decided by a " draw."

They may boast of golf or tennis And the tournaments of chess. Heralded by great announcements And the plaudits of the press; But those champions of pleasure. With their fund of players' lore. Well may envy those old worthies, Playing checkers at the store. ANNA FULLER Treat, ill Culture, U.S.A.

"J.F.," Karangahapo Road, wishes to know the outcome of the following position:— Black men on 3. 10, 13, 18, kins cn 23; "White men on 2,9, 25, 21, 20, 19, king on 4. White to play. The annual contest- for the Victorian championship has attracted thirteen starters, P. T. Best, the present, champion. J. P. Moore, ,T. C. Carter, J. Billiard, CollingTwaod; W. Evans, J. P. Bell, Melbourne; D. "W. Coramlngs, 11. M'Dairmed, Praihran; L. Rees, Ascot Vale; W. Alcott. Richmond; N. 8. M'Kinnon, South Yarra; J. •Armstrong, Bnllarat; F. H. Faulkner, "Warniarnbocl. Mr. Robert Davis, vice-president, made the opening address, and Mr. Hay was appointed referee. Play started on September 8.

11—15 7—10 11—18 16—20 2—11 26—31 22-13 25-22 22-15 IS- 9 26—23 12- 8 15—22 4- 8 10—19 1- 5 11—16 31—24 25-13 32-23 24—15 23—15 31-27 8— 3 811 —11 — 8 5—14 1317 2427 29—25 30—26 • 15-10 27—23 28—24 23—19 11—16 9—13 6—15 12—19 17—22 27—2-3 24—19 18— 9 25—22 23—16 24-19 19—15 10-14 5—14 15—19 8—11 ' 22—26 . 23—18 23—24 19-15 22-18 16- 7 19-22 15-11 And the game was drawn. ' ("Aire No. 528.—' Souter." - Black, Mr. J. C. Carter, Collingwood (town); white, Mr. G. II. Taylor, Ballarat (country). 11-15 8-11 14-17 6-15 5-14 18-23 2319 29—£5 2114 13— 9 25—21 24—19 9—14 4— 3 9—18 14—13 1— 6 11—15 22—17 24—20 26—23 23—14 22—17 17—13 6— 9 35—24 13—27 7—10 8—11 15—24 17—13 28—19 32—23 14— 7 30-25 22—33 2— 6 11—15 10—14 3-10 . 15-18 25—25 23—22 27—24 19—10 31—25 26—22 18— 2