DRAUGHTS ITEMS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13651, 21 July 1906, Page 3

DRAUGHTS ITEMS.

Timaru.—We aro indebted to i correspondent for the fol.ov.iiig report:—A very enjoyable draughts match was held in Timaru on July 13 between teams representing the Quariynion and Painters respectively, The {Catherine was held with a view oi starting a club iicre. After two hours' play the Quarrymon won by 32 games to 19. Cheers wero exchanged by the teams, ami responded to by the captains of both teams, after which a short discussion took place re the starling of a diaughts club in Timaru. Messrs Beck and Keid, two veterans at the ijame, promised to help ail they cou.m if a club were formed. It was decided to have a return match at an early date, and then make final arrangements. In the meantime information will lie obtained respecting v. suitable, chibroom, and other details. ill- Mulvey's Article—A month or so ago wo stated that copies of Mr Mu.voy's article on "Tho Movo and Its Yagaiics" had been sent to Messrs ]•'.■ Dunne, of Leeds, and A. Bryson, of Glasgow, for review. We expected tho critiques to hand a. couple of months ago, but they have not yet appeared. By lite :a3t maii, however, mention is made cf the pamphlet in Mr Dunne's column in the Leeds Budget. A correspondent has evident y lic-n inquiring ior something on the " move," and hero is Mr Dunne's reply:—''Sorry v.e cannot get you a copy of ' Hie Vantage' Mr Lyons informs us thai the edition is all disposed of. We have an excellent article on 'The Move and its Changes, by J. Muive.y, a noted Xew Zealand player, which originally appeared in the Otago Witness, and wc propose giving it by instalments. The first part will appear next week.' 1 As Mr Dunne is one of the foremast living authorities on tho game, Mr Mulvey should be gratified by this answer. We are pleased, too, that it amply iustilies our own expressed opinion of Mr Mu.vey's contribution to the game, and the publication oi the article in pamphlet form. A fine portrait of Mr J. (.1. Cairuthers, draughts editor of the Dumfries Standard, appeals in tho May number of Sports and Hobbies. It is not as draughts player, however, that he is thus honoured, but as champion bowler. Tho picture was taken during the international matches at Cardiff last season, and includes Dr \Y. G. Grace (the mly "W. (J., the famous cricketer) in the centre, with Mr Cariuthers on the right, and Mr J, Telford (runner-up in the final for the E.B.A. Championship) on the left. A very pleaskg souvenir of an interesting event, to which Mr Carruthers can always look back with pleasure. Since my visit to the English tourney, writes "Tile Chiel," in Yorkshire Post, 1 hnvo had some doubts of the accuracy of Dr Johnson's deduction that " Draughts trains the mind to caution and foresight." Rules are necessary, say the authorities, and they should bo strictly carried out, but there was some dissatisfaction in London at Eastor, of which I have since heard echoes in the North. Tho regulations say, " When a majority of the ties in a round are completed the next round -311811 be drawn." When a member of the executive said at 9 p.m. on the first day of tho tourney that they were about to draw the second round I thought tho rule w»9 being read too literally. My mild suggestion that the usual course was to wait till tho next morning was ignored, and the strict rulo followed. Immediately the draw was known I found players in search of those who had been defeated that day, with inquiries of " Come and show me how Mr 'L. played against you, as I have to meet him in the morning.'' Happily this was not generally praotised. It is scarcely in harmony with the spirit of the rules, which intend play to commence immediately the draw is made. A Sydney correspondent, writing to the Leeds Budget, says:—"l have before me Mr Morrall's 'Switcher' game, showing 24 19 at sixth move as a loss, and staling that this opinion was endorsed by the British team. I should bo very pleased to know how lie proposes to win Game No. 89, Draughts Praxis,' pago 153; also bow to boat 30 25 (instead of II 18) at tenth move of the same game. I long ago noticed, and regaj-ded it as strange, that if 11 15, 21 17, 9 13. 25-21, 8 11, 30 25, ■t a is played, then 2-1 19 must follow; but if 5 9 is played instead of -t 8. then 17 11. draws, and is better than 21 19, Unless .Mr Morrill's play is deemed conclusive, I should like to have your opinion on tho 21 19 line of play." In response to this we may say that wo have not yet seen any play for Black that demonstrates the win 'claimed by Mr Morrall, We have always considered 24 19 at sixth move a sound draw, and at present seo no grounds for changing our opinion. A facetious Massachusetts man, influenced by the success of the agitation to reform football, is endeavouring to arouse the humanitarian interest against checkers. He desires to moderate tho rigors of the game, which, he says, numbers its victims in thousands He would (savß New York Tribune) modify the glaringly vicious features of the game in the following manner, to wit: — 1. Abolish the king row. 3. Limit the jumps to one in any given direction. 3. Restrict tho beta to one glass of hard cider on oach game, 4. A dipt i minimum age limit of 75 yean {or plsrjers. 5. Prohibit nijeussions of the game outside of the cobbler's shop or the grocery store. ■ 6. Compel each player to produce a written permit from hi* wife. 7. Restrict the playing to one evening i ■Kesk, and stop the gw>w when curfew rings.