DRAUGHTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14691, 27 May 1911, Page 4 (Supplement)

DRAUGHTS.

PROBLEM No. 1629. Si Mr. E. McCaffrey says: The following curious problem will, no doubt, both interest and amuse solvers: —

'■•: 1 • i SOLUTION OF PROBLEM No. 1626. Bpsition :Black 3, 4, 14, 20, king 26; White, 7, 12, 27, 32, king 1. White to play and win. 27 24 32 23 „ 16* 624 20 27 26 19 3 10 W. wins.

THE SOLVING TOURNEY. " Mayfleld" sends a long letter in reference to the recent award. Beginning with No. 1594 tho writer still claims an allowance for correction in a variation of No. 1594. When it was stated that the variation was right enough if 16-720 instead of 11 —7 had been played (the position then being—Black, 15, 18, king 22; White, kings 11, 20, 31), "Maylleld" says " I go' 15—19, and challenge you to show a White win." It is surprising that " Mayfield," who during the tourney showed a keen insight into difficult positions, should not perceive White's easy forced win by 11-15, 19-23, 15—19, 23—26, 31-27; if 26-31, 19—23, 31—24, 20—27, " Mavficld" continues:— Problem No. 1605: You say " Both Mahara" and " Mayfleld" receive a half-point extra for No. 1605. Vou have evidently overlooked " Maylield's'' two additional corrections of this P ro " Idem, as published in same issue as problem No. 1611 appeared. These corrections have also stood tho tire of criticism. Problem No. 1610: You misrepresent me when yon say that this problem is imperfect " as admitted by ' Mayfield.' " I pointed out its imperfections 'to youipiite a different matter. 'I he position is this: When it appeared Mr. Cafferv had evidently noticed that the terms ■' Black to move and win" could not lie sustained, and questioned you about it. Your reply was very decided, " Nothing wrong with No. 1610." I | then gave it careful examination, and wrote you , strongly that White could' win. In reply you still stood by the problem, so I gave it my moot careful attention, and showed that White could Just win against Black's best, other solvers only making it a draw, lip to the present- my win had stood the ground. When the official solution appeared I at once, pointed out that the position as diagramed required the addition of a Black man 011 square 5 to make the position quite in order and sustain the original terms. But "Mayfleld" solved the position as given, and when it was allowed to ''go to the poll" it. should not now bo withdrawn, any more than, say, No. 1600, which was solved by " Mahara," upsetting the original terms. I protest against cancelling this problem after the. tourney is concluded, as it. would mean deducting a justly earned point from a competitor's score. Problem No. 1611: "Black to play, what result? " Mayfield" gave play for a draw, and showed that the author's win would not stand the test. " Mayfield's" play was before the public, and stood good until the conclusion of the tourney. But. now we have trotted out some play " superior to the author's solution," purporting to re-establish the win. and which I am invited to try my hand at " busting up." I will do my best to oblige, and I fancy that Mr. McCaffery will find, as I did, that the win is like '' the hanged elusive Pimpernel." very hard to catch. I submit that Mr. McOaffery has not yet put salt on its tail. At. th? 7th move of his variation (b) Black kings on 1, 7, 14; White on 5, 13, 21, and king 8, ho plays B—l2 instead go —9, and how can Black do better than draw thus:—l 3—9 14-18, 21-17, 18-22(1), 17-14, 22-17(2). 9-6. drawn. (1) 18—15, 8— 72, 17—14, 1518, —8, 18—22, B—ll, drawn. (2) 22—18, 8-3, 7—2. 3—B. 18—15, B—3, drawn. (2) Further at fifth move of variation (a) instead of 21—17 play 13 —9, and! draw, and at 28th move of trunk instead of 11—16 play 11—8, and draw. If required I will cheerfully supply play in support, of these moves. Problem No. 1617: Please look up your - note on this problem to " Mavfield" and .T. Heavey, which was published before the expiry of the time for receiving solutions (see issue in which No. 1618 appeared) and you will see that I am Justly entitled to be credited with the dual solution.

Mr. P. Morrison writes: " Would you kindly publish the following position. It is an end game:—Black 2, 3, 6, 13, 14. 19 White 11, 21, 25. 26, 28, 31. White to plav; what result? The annual handicap tournament of the Wellington Workingmen's Draught* Club attracted 15 entries. There was a close finish between the two scratch plavers, Messrs. P. McPherson and ,W. H. Smith. The former took first prize with 75 points, Mr. Smith (74) being a good second. The remaining prizes were won hv Messrs. ,T. Burgess (67 J,). J. Re id (66), and A. J. Larking (63). In August the club had the pleasure of a 10-days' visit from Mr. Alfred Jordan, draughts champion of England (who was touring Australasia). None of Mr. C. Erickson's record of eight draws and two losses was the best, local tally against the distinguished visitor. Mr. Jordan's visit, gave draughts a decided fillip, and enabled the club to successfully carry out a twolife tourney for the club championship (14 ' entries). Mr* C. Reid dropped out in the semifinal, and Messrs. Erickson and McPherson fought out the final. Mr. Erickson won. and accordingly represented the club in the tourney recentlv held in Dunedin to decide the championships of both Australia and New Zealand. The next championship tournev (Easter. 1912) has been allotted to Wellington." With the co-operation of the Tetone W.M. Club and the Watersiders' C. and D. Club there should be no difficulty in bringing it to a successful issue, especially as it is 13 years since the New Zealand championship was decided in Wellington.