Draughts.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXII, Issue 6811, 9 February 1897, Page 4

Draughts.

[All Solutions, Games, Problems, and Items should be addressed to the Draughts Editor of the Oaniarn Mail, Oamaru, •who will be only too pleased to answer any question (in his power) relative to the game. Solutions -will be published weekly. Any correspondent desiring to favor ns with games is requested to send them written in five columns of figures, or short games in four columns. This facilitates the work of all parties concerned. Problems may be sent in on diagrams or the positions may be indicated by figures, as oar solutions are.]

Febrvarv 9, 1597. Problem No. 335. By. G. Slocnm and L. S. Head

White to play and win. A beginner who has racked hi 3 brains over the above position presents ifc with a request for and solution, as he has given it up. He says that it is from the American Checker Keview. Can yoa solve it without moving a piece':—Draughts' Editor Witness. Problem No. 339. By D. Gourlay, Glasgow.

White to play and win. GAMES. The following two gimes we e played between Mr J. A. Scott, of Gore, and Mr H. Morris, of Inveroargili, duriug the former's recent visit:— Maid of the Mi!!, ireutt's move.

Black wins Detunec. Morris' move.

ITEMS. The Committee are working hard to make the tournament for tho championship of New Zealand a success. Subscription ii->ts have been sent to most of the prominent enthusiasts throughout the South I-hnd, ar.d also to several 'local enthusiasts whom we understand are gottir.2 on admirably. This is just such an object as should b-j supported by those who have the control of youths, as it tends to keep the youths at home instead of piradisitz the street;-, and keeps them out c f the biUitrd rooms and aw;iy from the bars. It improves their foresight and cautiousness, and as.-nsta in equipping them for tho battle of life. For these reasons Oamarn people should all assist in bringing the New Zealand Draughts Championship Tournament to a successful issue in their town.

We understand that the New Zealand Draughts Association tournament tor the championship of New Zealand, to be held here at Easter, will be governed by the rule:} under which the Wanganui tournament was played, and which will be published in this columu shortly. Several local players take exception to the allround system of playing these tournaments, and for this reason the local secretary has been requested to correspond with the executive of the Association asking their permission to allow the competitors in the tournament to settle which system they will adopt ; also arrange the time limit to their own satisfaction before commencing play. There i} very much to be said for and against both the " knock out ' and the "all-round"' system. and it will be better for all parties that the competitors should have a voice in the matter. Although the "all round " system allows collusion, the possibilities of which cannot bo avoided, yet wheu honestly played it U most certainly the best test of draughtsplaying, and creates a great deal more pleasure f»r the poorer clas3 of players than the "knock out" system, which system we have an objection to on the grounds that the champion draughts player of New Zealand may not even get a pri?.i under it, and may be knocked out of the match without losing a single game. This fact i 3 a strong objection to the knock out. We think that none but the very best players will support the knock out system, as it gives them less of the hard work which the going through a tournament produces. The weaker player favors the atlround system because then his life is insured. He must have a game with all, bad and good alike. It is for this purpose he plays at all. j

11-15 G-10 2-6 19-23 12-1G -2-2-17 25-11 25-21 20-19 9-6 S-i I 1*17 6-15 16-23 16-19 17-1-'? 21-14 31-26 •23-24 6-2 15-is 4-8 11-16 7-11 19-24 23-14 29-25 13-9 21-19 2-7 9-IS 12 16 S-12 11 16 24-31 21-17 24-19 21-17 19-15 7-11 H> 15 113 23 15 19 16-20 23-27 17-14 2'i-10 17-13 15-10

11-15 r,. 0 10-17 7 10 7-10 ■2:M9 23-22 19-15 20 11 14-7 9! 4 11-15 17-22 12 16 4-8 27-23 24-2(1 2t>-17 24 20 11-4 S-ll 15-24 13-22 9 1.3 2-20 22-IS 2S-19 S2-2S IS 14 4 8 15-22 9-13 1-6 19-23 2-3-9 £2-IS 25-24 -_\'i IS 8-11 .3-14 14-17 i;-o 16 m 23-27 ■20-2.-, 21-14 15-11 Drawn 2-J 10 Scores from the Wittc