DRAUGHTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14109, 10 July 1909, Page 4 (Supplement)

DRAUGHTS.

SOLUTION OF PROBLEM No. 1530. Positionßlack men on 1, 6, 11, 14, 15, 19, 20, king on- 50; White men on 8, 13, 16, 27,; 31, kings 4, 7, 21. Black to play and win. 14-17 14—23 20—24 a 13—6 30—26 21—14 19-26 27—20 I—lo 16—7 15—18 31—22 6— 9b 7—14 ' 26—12 Black wins. . ,

(a) This man must be sacrificed or a. draw will result. ■ * ■ ■ . ' , ■ -.■ (b) 6—lo would also draw. ■ • s. ,

PROBLEM No. 1532. (An End Game, between Messrs. A. Howe and O. W. Osborne.) . . Blace

X. Whits. White to play and draw.

Game No. 929.—" Dundee." The following game was contested '< between Messrs. R. Stewart, cx-champion = of : Scotland, ana one of the leading players of the Kelty Draughts Club, with notes by Mr. H. .¥.. Shearer, in, the Dundee People's Journal: — 12-16 : 22—14 16-20 '■~ 18-11 ■[ 3— 7 .; '■ 20—25 24—19 10-17 '31-27 9-18 25-21 14-18 ■ B—l2 21—14 . B—l2 ;-.:■ 23—14 6— 9<l 21—17 22-18 16-23 25-21 7-16 14-10 .5- 9 ■4— 8a 27— .' 6- 9 29-25 . 7-14 17-13 18-14 .12-16 26-23 1- 17-10. 9-J* 9-18 28-24 : 11—15 c: 21-17 9-14 25-21 '.' ■ ' ;•':;■. White wins.

-"■'■ (a) If Black intends to allow the break up by 18— he is much better to proceed 16—20, here. The after play confines White to a limited, number, of attacking lines . , '~ . * v,„f (b) The position now looks quite innocent, trot it embodies one of the most scientific points in draughts. White forms up strongly in the centre of the board, confining Black's double corner position. It may be taken as an axiom that.such a formation as that of White in this game is always safe <ind very often 'strong.. ;..-._., ~_ ; (e) In view of the previous note, \it might be thought ■ that this was the best continuation, breaking up White's centre. It will be seen however, that the idea is a fallacy, "White still commands the middle of the board, and Black throws his pieces into the sides, an important illustration. - - H„ fn .(d) Black has built up his game correctly.to this point, but. here he goes astray. - "is correct .play is 7-11, which draws , Without .difiuultj. After the text move Stewart, makes *" v . work °* a position that might be easily muddled by the ordinary player.

Mr. P. Mackay writes:—" Re the Auckland and district championship proposed to be WW J l ' August, I may say I personally favour the knocKout. system, as the all-round system, takes too long for the majority of country Payers, wno cannot spare the time in town. The N.Z.D.A. recommend the adoption of the double knock-out system for next year's championship, therefore i favour its adoption in the forthcoming Auckland one. It is to be regretted that so little interest is taken, in draughts here. The Leys Institute DC. is very good, but in my opinion it is not central enough for a great number of players who have not an opportunity to study together ana improve the standard .of their play. Could you not advocate the forming of an Auckland, D.O. for plavers?"— be only too glad to second, anv efforts in that direction. Several previous attempts started with a flourish, but ultimately fizzled out. It would be, however, worth trying . Mr.' J. Bruce writes:'—" Dear Sir,—Perhaps , Mr. J. Bruce writes:-" Dear Sir,— Perhaps I am premature in writing to you about the donation I offered if Auckland undertook the championship tournament of New* Zealand. But I may state that I am prepared to forward the two guineas I promised at any time. If you follow the usual course, you would invite donations through , your Draughts' co'oum, and. acknowledge, the same; but whatever, the committee suggest 3 will be pleased to do. I may say that I have been quite interested in your Draughts. column lately." '■. ' ,■„■ .v''"'^,.i

Mr. A. B. Scott met Mr. A/B.'Batte.rsby m the final this year for the Glasgow championship,' and won by 2 to 1, and three draws - . Mr G. Gall has won the Lanarkshire championship by defeating A. Lambie by t.-e score of ci e win to nil, and three draws. > 0 , '