DRAUGHTS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1617, 25 February 1903, Page 24

DRAUGHTS.

(Communications to this column will be welcomed. All correspondence to be addressed, Draughts Editor, “.New Zealand Mail *"j forwarding games would oblige by placing record of play in live columns. Solutions of problems are invited). SOLUTION TO PROBLEM No. 100. (By J. Stratton.) Position.—Black—Men on 6, 12; King 27. White —Men on 14, 28; King 4. Play 4-8, 27—23, B—ll, 28-18, 14-10, fr—ls,’ 28—24. Drawn. PROBLEM No. 101. White.

Black. Position —Black —Men on 1, 15; Kings C §4 ' Wliite—Men. an 9, 16, 29; Kings, 25, 26. Black to play and win. In the fourth round of the open tourney at the Country lorum, in Manchester the brothers Allan Hynd and John Hvnd were drawn together, and Mr Allan Hynd retired. The other survivors ox the round were W. Blakeley (Manchester); Mr W. Haliiwell (Ashton); and Mr W. R. Pepwcrth (Alderiey Edge). The pairing for the fifth round was Haliiwell y. John Hynd and Blakeley v. Pepworth. and Mr Blakeley won by 1 win to 5 draws. Mr Haliiwell won by 3 wins to 2 draws, Thus Mr Blakeley and Mr Haliiwell were left to play the final round for the first prize of <£lo and the second prize of <£3 10s. Appended, from the “Leeds Mercury Supplement/* are two of the games contested in the second round. “The Glasgow/*-—Black, Mr J. Roberts, (Warrington); White-, Mr John Hynd, senior (Manchester)..

And the game was drawn. (a) 24 —27, etc., would have wen for Black. “The AYill o’ the AYisp.”— Black. Mr John Hynd. senior (Manchester); AA'liite, Hr J. Roberts (AVarrington).

And Air Roberts won. A NEAT POINT. ♦ , . Black—l, 2.4, 6; King 15. AA'liite—l3, f 4, 17. 25; King 3. Black to play and win. 15—18, 14...9, 18—22, 15...18, I—s. Black wins. THE DENNY. The following is an interesting “Denny” game recently contested in Chicago between a local expert, who had the" Black men, and Air Charles Hefter, who had the AA'liite men. The score and the notes are from the “New York Tribune Farmer” :

18 9 25 30 1 6 18 4 6 13 22 17 And Mr Hefter won. (a) If 29...25, then 20 —24, 27...11, 10 —15. (b) Rather unexpected. (c) Assuming the attack. (d) If B—ll. then 23...19, 16—23, 27...18; 20—27, 7...16; and AVhite wins neatly. (e) Unexpected, certainly.

THE SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIP. ANNUAL TOURNAMENT IN GLASGOW. The eleventh aivnnal tournament held under the auspices of the Scottish Draughts Association to decide the championship of Scotland for the year began on New Year’s Day in the North Saloon of the City Hall, Candleriggs. A good number of spectators was present, and owing to the fact that the competition had this year for the first time been thrown open to the world, greater interest was taken in the encounter. Mr A. Jordan, of London, however, was the only player who turned up from across the Border, although three more were reixorted to be forward; and Stewart, of Blairadam, lias not entered this year. • The following 23 players took part in the? contest: —A. Jackson, Kirkintilloch; D. G. McKelvie, Glasgow; E. McCafferty, Avr; J. C. Ilav, Glasgow; A. B. Scott, Go van.; AY. G. Miller. Glasgow; W. Penman, jun.. Kelt.v; J. Turnbull. Dunfermline; J. Gall, Lesnmhagow; J. Corbett, Pitsligo; A. Lambie. Bell sir ill; J. Montague, Dumbarton; H. Henderson Muirkirk; G. Buchanan, Glasgow; J. Bradley, Glasgow: G. M. Bonar. Ruthererlen; F. Brown, Rutherglen; J. Ferrie, Glasgow; AY. Bryden. Glasgow; G. Sneddon. Canonshore; A. Jordan. London; G. O’Connor, Glasgow; N. McVean, Renfrew. Dr. Garey, i-n opening t'ne proceedings, said that he had the honour—a very high honour—of opening for the second time the Scottish .Annual Tournament. The honour lie had received was due to- his position as president of the Scottish Draughts Tournament, a. position which he occupied through no merit of his own as a. player. Some one had sent him a post card on which were two chess-play-ers. If the “Herd Laddie” was living, and saw the postcard, he would throw it in the fire- with the deepest execration that he could f/ve vent to. To bring such a, card into this' hall was to pollute the beautiful atmosphere, calm and serene, ennobling and enhancing. He hoped he would never sea the- card again. Such wiles exercised no effect upon him. They had been for years doing what they could to raise the game cf draughts to the high social standard which it ought to occupy. It was impossible to raise the game to any higher intellectual standard. and they were now raising its social standard in order that it might be on an equal footing with its intellectual standard. The draw was 1 announced as follows: FIRST DAY’S PLAY.

At No. 1 table Jordan and Me C a/Text y were seated at 22-18 (Dundee). Some looked for Jordan scoring, but McCafferty seemed to be equal to the occasion. Brown and Bonar drew a 24-19 Kelso. Corbett had the Blacks in a 23-18 (Dundee) against O’Connor, and lost (the first blood drawn in the- tourney). Penman, with the Blacks, played a drawn Ayrshire Lassie against. Turnbull. Miller had the Whites in a Single Corner against Henderson. Buchanan played two Dennys, the second of which fell lo Buchanan, with the Whites. Bryden and Sneddon were busy over an Edinburgh, which Bryden looks to be about to score- with Blacks. In the Henderson v. Miller tie this ending occurred:—Black (Henderson), 25, 10, 12, 36; White (Miller), 13, 19, 22, 23, 28—Black to play. Here Henderson went 16 —20, and the game was drawn. Some thought that 2 —6 would have won here, but White draws alter a neat bit of play. The second game between Jordan and McCafferty was the centre of great attention, and lasted till five o’clock. McCafferty gradually wandered into deep water, until, the following position was reached: —Black—Men on 3,9; kings on 14, 16; White men on 13, 20, 21, kings 23; White (McCafferty) to play, which he did as follows:—23-19, 14-10, 20-16, 3-7; and MeCafferty resig ned. When play wa's resumed in the- evening there was a large number of spectators. Lambie equalised matters with Buchanan by winning the third game, a. 22-18 Kelso. The second Kelso between the same i)layers resulted in a draw. Bryden and Sneddon laboured hard at their second “Edinburgh/* Sneddon, with the Blacks, seemed to have the pull, and ultimately got a. man ahead, but Bryden brought off the following draw:—Black—lo, 11, 13, 15 and 28; Wliite—2o. 23, 25, King 7 Black (Sneddon) to play: 28 —30, 7...14, 30—21, 14...10, 15—18, 23...14, 21—17. Drawn. A great many of those fancied 28—31 instead of 26 —30 for a win, but Mr Bryden set their minds at rest with the following clever draw:—7...l4, 31—26, 14...10, 26 —19, 25...22. O’Connor succeeded in winning his third game from Corbett, who retired from the contest. SECOND DAY’S PLAY. Bailie Findlay ofrmally opened the proceedings, and announced the draw in the second round as follows: McCafferty or Jordan v. Gall. Bryden or Sneddon v. Scott. J. ’O'Connor v. Jackson. Buchanan or Lambie v. Henderson or Millar. , 17 Bradlev v. Penman or Turnbull. J. C. Hay v. Montague. Bonar or Brown v. McKelvie. Me Yean v. Feme. a As Sneddon failed to turn up, the tie was awarded to Bryden, who met Scott ni the second round at one o’clock. The board at which Jordan and McCafferty were seated at a 21-17 “Bristol’* was the great centre, of attraction. Jordan gave his opoonenfc many beautiful chances to ci wrong, but McCafferty very skilfully evaded his numerous traps, and brought about a draw. Bonar and Brown finished their seventh draw. Henderson afid Millav entered upon their second 23-19 “Kelso.*’ Towards the middle of the game Millar missed a shot which would have

won for him, an omission which cost him the loss of the game. Penman and Turnbull contested a 23-18 “Dundee,” in which Turnbull, with the Whites, came to grjef, and ultimately was forced to resign. lerrie and McVean were involved in a 22-17 “Dundee,” in which Ferrie brought off a win from the following position:—Black -1, 3,8, 11. King 17; AVhite, 9, 10, 19, 20, 27. Black (Ferrie) to play: 11 —15, 19...16, B—l2, 16...11, 17—14. McVean resigned. Jackson and O’Connor drew a 22 17 “Double Corner.” Millar succeeded in scoring his first game off Henderson by winning the White side, of the 24 —19 “Edinburgh.” Bryden and Scott drew their first game, a 23—18 “Edinburgh.* Ferrie again scored off McVean, thus winning both sides of the 22 —17 “Dundee.*’ Penman again won from Turnbull, and now meets Bradley in the second round. Jordan and McCafferty are contesting a 9-—l4 23 —19 opening. During the interval a match was played between the-Kilmarnock and Glasgow South-Side Clubs, resulting in a victory for Glasgow. In the evening Buchanan scorvl his second win from Lambie, which finished their lie in his favour. Ho now meets Henderson in the second round. Jordan and McCafferty draw their fifth game, and have now entered upon their sixth. Jackson won his second game from O’Connor, the following being the ending: Black-Men on 3,6, 7, 14, 15, 20. White —Men on 12, 13, 21, 22, 27. 32. Black (Jackson) to play—7—lo, 22...17, 15 —19, 32...28, 14-18, 17...14, 10—17, 21...14, 18—22. O’Co'onor resigned. Jordan lias drawn his- sixth game with McCafferty, and now awaits- Gall in the second round. The ballot brought out—10—14, 24—19. Brown and Bonar are earnest over a “Switcher.” Ferrie- is playing hard at a “Cross’* against ATcA 7 ean, and looks as if lie had a. good advantage. Jackson and O’Connor have drawn their third game. Bradley won neaflv from Penman with the Blacks in the “Cross.” A FORCED MOVE. Angus Gunn and Fergus Todd AYeve boon companions of the “brod/* For, e’en like others of tlieir ilk, They took to draughts as babes to milk. Fergus lodged in a Glasgow flat, And there- o’ niclits they often sat Puzzling each other in great delight AVith cunning moves full half the*night. One evening, near the end of May, They faced "the board, six games to pDy. Long and stubborn was the boui, AY lien twelve the steeple clock rang' out. ■Fergus, with a ticklish ending, AA'as playing slow, well defending; AYhile Angus, pressing every move, Grew more absorbed a. win to prove. By some mischance- the room below Had taken fire, was all aglow. Increasing heat they little felt, Nor gatli’iing smoke either smelt. Outside, the firemen, with lusty shout, Warned all within to hasten out; But oblivious cf the outer din, Tcdd strove to. draw, and Gunn to win. At length Fergus looked up to say, “It’s getting rather warm for play.” Said Gunn, “I’ll make it warmer still. This game- will count me one to nil, For in about six moves, ye ken, I’ll certain capture ane o’ ye’r men.” “Oot, cot,” cried Todcl, “ye’ll win no mon.” “I will/* said Gunn, “move on, move on.” Just then the firemen- burst the door, And in. the room began to pour A flood of water from the hose; Still neither of the players rose. Thinking them daft, they shook them both, But Gunn replied with angry oath—- “ What joke is this? Hold off ye’r haun, I’m just about to tak’ a man.” The firemen said, “We’ll tak’ a pair,” Then bore them bodily down the stair. Still Gunn held grimly to the board, AYhile Todd yet o’ver the problem pored. But still resolved not to be done They on the pavement then begun, But soulless minions of the law Upset the board—and forced a draw'. —Janies Hill.

It 15 9 14 23 26 21 17 23 19 17 13 16 11 15 18 8 11 2 7 26 31 3 7 22 17 22 17 11 7 10 15 11 16 8 11 5 9 17 13 24 20 26 23 7 3 (a) 19 23 16 23 19 26 31 27 7 10 27 11 SO 23 24 20 24 19 7 16 11 15 15 24 10 14 20 11 31 27 28 19 19 24 3 7 r-r i 11 27 24 14 10 28 21 27 24 19 15 24 19 7 15 15 18 10 19 10 14 24 20 23 19 17 10 19 24 16 19 18 23 6 15 14 10 25 22 32 23 13 6 15 19 4 ~8 11 15 1 10 10 15 29 25 20 16

11 15 4 8 2 11 20 16 23 19 32 27 17 13 24 28 9 13 8 11 11 16 16 11 22 18 19 16 13 6 28 32 15 22 12 19 3 8 11 7 25 18 23 IS 6 2 32 28 10 14 11 15 8 12 7 2 18 9 16 11 2 7 28 24 5 14 7 16 10 15 2 6 29 25 . 20 11 7 11 18 23 6 10 15 19 15 18 26 19 25 22 22 17 31 20 24 15 8 11 13 22 19 24 6 9 27 23 26 17 20 16 14 38 11 15 1 6 12 13 9 14 21 20 30 26 27 20 18 23 15 21 6 9 19 24 21 17 23 19 11 17

10 14 25 18 30 25 9 13 22 18 2 6 18 14 6 9 11 16 (a) 28 24 25 22 17 21 24 19 4 8 14 7 9 14 8 11 29 25 22 13 13 17 26 22 3 7 (c) 15 10 7 10 1 1G 31 26 G 15 17 22 22 17 13 17 19 10 14 18 16 20 21 14 13 9 21 25 SO 26 10 17 7 2 10 14 11 16 (b) 25 22 1 5 22 26 26 22 17 21 o 7 14 1 i 9 13 18 15 (0)9 13 25 30 18 9 7 10 10 8 17 •JO 5 14 22 18 r> 9 O C 31 22 18 21 25 6 1 ( •-) 24 19 13 22 26 22 13 17 " 01 15