DRAUGHTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12991, 4 June 1904, Page 13

DRAUGHTS.

CONDIOTED BI JOS. AbEXKETIIT. PROBLEM 773.' By Frank Du,nne. ' [Black.]

[Warn,] ,' . Black: 3, G. White: 5, king 3. White to play and win.

In contributing the above, problem to the Leeds Mercury, Mr W. T. Call, New Yorkj writes : — This problem is • the i finest discovery I evqr made', in the 'same. It is my pet, • and I have Ibeon very proud of it since it 'appeared under my name in Dr Schaeter's column iu the Newark Sunday Call, with sy complimentary inscription, last November 15,1903; Lost night while looking over "Steam's Book of. Portraits," vol. 2,'f üblishcd in 1895,. my eye was arrested by ProWcm No. 79 on page 17. There it was—my problem—my beautiful, aiy finest problem, not in a masked form, but in tho identical setting in vMiich- I had fixed, my jewel! Above it was the-name "P. Dunne." Under it I wrote the inscription, "I. M. Done, PROBLEM 774. \\'- ■©y W. S. Caoirar, Kansas. [Black,] '

[White,] ■ •'. Bla«k: 3, 8, 15, 21, 24, kinge 5, 23- White: 10, 19, 29, 31, kings 2, G, . ■ White to play and win. fTho above is a little "stroke" from the Chicago Inter-Ocoau.-DH. Ed. O.D.T.] GAMES. ' NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNEY. . "* Tho following games were played in the last championship tourney between Messrs F. Hilliker (Dunedin) and A. Beck (Timaru). 'Hie notes are b'y-ifr Hillikcr. ' Game 1416.—"Single Corner'.' (1115, 22 18). Black—Hillilter. . v ■ AYhite-Beck. '1115- 16 19 5 9 HIS 12 16 2218 2310 2415 2 B • 1518 ]5 22 12 11) 10 1!) 18 2! II! 1!) 25 IS- 27 23 2li 18 0 10 ' 18 22 811 11 IC-B UlO-C 23 27 11123 2)25 2011 11 7 10 }5- 2218 ■ ..4-8 710 2 11. 27 32 23 27 ' 26 22 , 1811 IS 15 2117 18 23 10 15 9 25 II 18 8 B'. ■ 27 31 24 21 30 21 2HZI. 17 14 JS 24 1210 ' 810 19 28, '812 20 27 2117 32 27 31 ; .fl -14 10 ' 7 2 812 10 il'Wf If 20 312(i 17 H-α 27 24 (i 2:10 7 Sα 30 .• : : 7 . '...••- Drawn. (a) Not often played, but safe; V , (B) Another unusual departurt., ■ • (c) 1G 20 is publiehed play, which continues— 2117,9 13,17 14, 3 7,11 8, 610, drawn. Game lUCyEdinburgh" (9 13,' 2218). Elack-Beck. ■ . Whiie—HilJiker. 913 1710 32 23 10 (i '23 28 ■ 2218 «21 3127. 110 M lB 1210' 32 2? 28 32 14 7. 2(! 22c ' 24 20 11 15-B So 22 IUS 7 3. 812 2310 32 25 7 3 22 8 ; . 27 24 IB)!) 21)25 812 31» 10 1G 231b , 28 32.. 27 24- '4'B' 24 19 12 19 25 21 12 Iβ'' 14 10 \ 15 24 2010 5 9 2:) 18 X-li :\ 2819 19 24 2117 32 28.- 10 7 7 10 1611 9 13 18 U 1817 ' 2117-A 24 28 1814 2819 . 7 3 13 22 • 30 2ti 3 8 U 7 17 22 2017 2532 11 f 19 23 3 7 10 14 2S 2J .2 11 ; 17 14 22 Bi-n ■ i \ W. wins. (a) Completely overlooking 'the threatened two-for-ono on to equate 21 at, Black's next move. I • ■' (b) If 3 S, then 28 19, 1115,19 10, 2G, 2Q 11, 22, 2518,11 22, 30 26, should draw. . , . ■ (c) Hoping to gain the man by 18 15, 22 18, 14 9, 4 8. . ; . (d) Has Black missed a win?' . ' ' ' ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP, ; The fourth biennial tournament for the English championship was played in Manchester, ceramencing on Saturday, April 2. There was a good entry list, and an interesting contest tesulted in the triumph of Herbert Morrall, of London. Mr A. Bryson, of the Draughts World, formally opened the tournament. Tho entry list, pairing, and results are shown by the following :~ Preliminary Ilound Wins. . Draws. Wins. 1 Elakeley ... 5 Roberts .. ..0 2 Alan Hynd .. 2 Wray* ~ .. 0 , -First Bound.-' 1 ,T. Hynd ..-5 Jordan , ~ .. 0 2 ilorra'll .. .. 3 Dunne ~ ~ o 1 Goldsboro .. 2 Alexander* ~ 1 0 Alan Hynd .. 0 Dean* 0 2 Langford ... 1 Blakcley .'. .. 3 3 Milne .., .. 2 Worlhiiigton .. 0 2 Ward ~ .., 3 Waller ~', ;.' 0 1 Parry- .. .. 6 .Tones- .. „ .. 0 Second Hound, 1 Morrall ~ ..0 J. Hynd .... 0 2 Parry .. .. 3 Goldsboro'.. „ 1 2 Blakeley '.., 3 Milne ..' 1 1 J. Ward .. 5 Alan Hynd ~., 0 Ssmi-final Hound ' , 1 Morrall .. .. 3 Ward ... .. .. 0 1 Blakeley .. n Parry. ... .'.„■ ~- 1 Final.' 3 Morrall .. .. 1 Blakeley .. .. 0 For Third and Fourth Prizes. . 2 Ward .. ~ 2 Parry ~ .. „ 0 "Players marked with asterisk retired from play- , PREVIOUS WINNERS. 1895— J. Smith (Speniiymor) winner, A. Jackson (Manchester) runner-up. 1891— W. Christie (Suntlerland) winner, W. Beattie (Liverpool) runner-up. 3892—A. Jordan (London) winner, J. L. Richmond (South Shields) runniSr-up. lE9B*—W. Gardner (Leeds) winner, H. Jacob (London) runner-up. - 1900'—A. Hynd (Manchester) winner, H. Jacob (London) runner-up." 1902 , —A. Cain (Liverpool) winner, A. Hynd (Manchester) runner-up. •English Draughts Association formed in 1898, and the tournament that year and subsequent tournaments held under'the auspices of the association. ' Play in the tournament occupied seven days, and the physical strain on some of .the players was very severe. TJiis is usually tjie case, and only emphasises the importance of adopting a course ot physical training previous to and during period of a tournament. Wyllie used to adopt walking exercise, doing about nine miles a day, ;md then hu returned to iilaymth a brain and sight cleared by a. good circulation. We have known Mr Gardiner, champion of j New Zealand, adopt the same course. The following are brief details of iiie last three days' play:— The fifth day's proceedings were opened by Mr F. Dunne, Warrington. The interest, through both of the Hynds being knocked out I of tho prize-list, had to a great extent cvapo- ' rated, aud the ouly Question was; Would Ward

beat Morrall—the Birmingham player having been freely stylecT as (he "dark horso"? Iho three first games resulted in draws, and wero moat stubbornly contested throughout. In the fourth game Alorrall gained a slight advantago in the ending, and forced Black to tesign, this being Word's first loss in the tournninent. Blakcley and Parry were late in starting their giune3. In the first Parry secured the winning advantage, and succeeded in having five kings to four, nnd subsequently placed a game to his credit.

Mr F. H. Boots, of London, opened the proceedings on the sixth ,day. The first players to commence were Wiird and Morrall, and, tho ballot giving D 13, 24 19, were soon engaged in tho intricacies of an "Edinburgh" game. Morrall with tho Black adopted the 1115 line, whilst Word ployed C 9 at third move, but in neither game could it bo said that either player held any advantage, and both resulted in draws; and at the same time qualified Morrall for the filial round. In Iho meantime Blakcley and Parry, the other semi-finalists, wero engaged on a, "Kelso," 22 18 iino. Parry in mid-game ployed weakly, and allowed Blakeley to get a. grip an d ultimately win. The ballot for their fifth game was 1110, 22 17, and Parry "dyked" it,'but lost after n hsrd, long 'Muling. This completed their heat. When tho players took their seats for the final stage of the tournament they were greeted with loud applause. The ballot gave 0 13,22 17, and ultimately developed into a "Switcher" game, 5 9 line, followed by' 29 25, and resulted in a. draw. The. second side,'however, Blakcley was not so fortunate, as, dropping into a shot, iie lost. Blnkeloy.also lost the third game. Mr t J. E. Taylor, of Manchester, opened on (he final day.- The principal board of attraction was the unfinished bent between Morrall unci Blnkciey in the final round. Blnkcley had overnight lost-tiro games, anil therefore it was with no feeling of success that'lie sat down to contest iho remaining three games. In tho first game (a "Dundee")' Blakelcy built up a strong game, and ultimately forced a position from which Morrall hud no loophole of escape, when, to the surprise of everyone, Blakeley miscalculated an exchange, and gave three men away for nothing. This completed tho heat, the victory of which made Morrall, of Liverpool, tho champion of England. The heat between Pnrry and Ward to cleciiS".- the third and fourth pnV.es was expected to produce some fine play and an exciting finish.. The expectation, however, was not realised, as Parry, on whom the strain of the tournament had been lolling very severely, succumbed very easily in the first two games, -this opening balloted being 11 IG, 28 18. Their next two games, proved more interesting, as Parry, pulling himself together, compelled Ward to piny very carefully to draw. This Ward succeeded in. doing, and Parry retired, seeing his chance of equalising, was'very remote. NOTES AND INCIDENTS OF THE TOURNEY. The London Daily News snys of the e|iam ; pion:—Herbert Morrall is one of tho new school of players, and is deservedly popular. Free from conceited reserve of offensive volubility, he is a, typical 'student, a constant contributor to draughts literature, and an active player, In the early original situations peculiar to tho two-move openings his great knowledge of the principles and theory, of the game gives him an immeasurable- advantage over memorisers. Given contests in which alertness, brilliancy, and genius are the determining factors, as distinguished from prolonged trials of physical endurance, many good judges consider "that Morrall possesses characteristics far moro potent for universal honours thai! any previous winner of the .English championship. From a spectator's point of view, the pairing for the first rouncl.was all that could bo ■desired: Hearty applause greeted the: first two names drawn together—viz., J. , Hynd toitl A, Jordan. The contest .between these 'two noted players was a- very keen and clo v se one, but Hynd overlooked p threc-for-thre'e shot;in the second game ending in "First Position," a suro win-.. Jordan confessed be. was .lilcliy in escaping tho shot, but had to risk it, as anything else would, have been as bad, or worse. • Golds-' boro, tho Bradford champion, lost, tho first gamo to Alexander, but,, sticking gataely to his opponent, eventually equalised, by winning Iho fourth game..' Dunne and Wrny wore equally unfortunate in losing their' first .games, and made matters worse in vain attempts' to force matters in the second game, '' ' The centre of attraction on ■ the .second day was the board upon.which -the London .champion and J. Hynd wero engaged. A very fine exhibition of skill ensued, lasting tintil • the adjournment, and resulting in victory for Hynd with the Black side. ' Their sixth' game me thus knocked out. •' • , ■_ Owing to a most unfortunate misunderstanding, Alexander resigned .his heat to Goldsboro, and'retired from the tourney while (heir fiflh game was being contested. It is probable' that a match for a stake will bo-arranged, between these two players. .; " Surprise was caused by Goldsboro allowing Parry to score tho second-game by a three-for-ono shot. ' • '■' ■ . . [

On the third day four boards; were'engaged, the contest between Ward and A. Hynd,attracting most attention. Their 'fifth game ("Denny," 23 19 line) lasted till tho morning siting, mid was a splondid exhibition. Ward (White) gradually developed. what appeared to be a winning position, but Hynd made a good defence, and/ sacrificing ft piece at a critical point, eventually secured sv draw with a man down, by the briclgo position. Their sixth game was well and evenly tested, resulting in a draw. Ward was thus-the victor, and has greatly enhanced his reputation by his fine play against the 'ex-champion, Next in interest was the contest between J. Hynd and Moirall. They met in the last tourney, when Hynd was victor by the odd ,gnme, "and they were thus-regarded iis the finest players now left in, the general opinion Leing that the survivor would win the championship, whilst .Hynd's notabla victory over the London champion on Monday made him first favourite, Parry defeated the Yorkshire expert,! Goldshoro, winning tho sixth game with the "White sido of the "Cross," being first to enter the semi-final-

Blakeloy won Ma heat in the fust round in Hie morning, tlefealing Longford in tho fifth game with the White aide of tho "Dundee,". 22 18 line. . In the evening he followed up this success by scoring the first game from Milne with the Black side of the "Paisley," the second being drawn; but Milne cleverly equalised by winning the third gamo with tho White side of the "Kelso" 24 20 line, On the fourth day J. Hynd and Morrall had ■reat struggle during tho morning, playing two highly critical games, "Kelso," 22 17, without advantage on either side. Their ninth game, "Keleo," 21 17, was a repeat of the previous game, but in the tenth game Morrall varied, and got on a powerful, attack. Tho ending was exceedingly critical- for Hynd, and the excitement amongst tho onlookers intense. Hynd missscd a draw at a critical point, and Morrall scored tho gamo,-thus passing into the seraifinal. . • • Much r<%rct was expressed at the absence of A. Cain (the winner at Leeds in 1902) and W. Gardner, of Leeds. , It wa3 remarked that up fill Tuesday not arepresentative player nor official came from Leeds to support the Manchester executive. The English Draughtß Association decided to support Mr Bryson in obtaining five players to make the trip to America. Mr G. A. Gelstkorpe, who was in.Manchester, has presented a silver medal to the E.D.A. for the winner of the 1904 tournament. Much regret was expressed in London at the defeat of A. Jordan in the English championship, this being the first time Jordan has not got amongst the prize winners.