DRAUGHTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13859, 23 March 1907, Page 3

DRAUGHTS.

Conducted bt Jos. Aikunetiit, PROBLEM 1042. By, W. Kenneait, Wells Memorial.

Black: 4, 5, 9, 17, 19, 22, 23, king 1. White: 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 29, 31, king 32. While to play and win. A neat " stroke," although appearances are against it. It is from tho Melbourne Weekly 'limes, PROBLEM 1043, By D. A. Buodje, Duncdin,

Black: 8, 11, 12, 13, 18, 23. White: 20, 24, ' 25, 28, 30, king 7. . Black to play and draw. (A llcat ending- drawn in play.—Dii. Ed.J PROBLEM 1014, \ By A. C. Hews.

Black: 1, 4, 15, 19, 25, kings lfij 21, 27, 29. White: 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, U, 17, 23, 26. White to play mid win. An exceptionally fino "stroke," for which Mr I'\ Dunne, in Leeds Budget, offered small prizos for tlio first three correct solutions. The solution is not io hand, but wo managed it in exact " litnc limit," fivo minutes, Send in your solutions.—Dr. Ed. O.D.T.] B GAMES. Tim following games were played years ago between the late Mr J. C. Mackay, a player nf note, and slr I{. Givon, of Dtinetlin. Mr Given is now over 80 ytars of age, but is hale and hearty, aud has not loat his love for tho old pastime. 'Although he does not tako any active part in the game outside, his board and men aro always handy in his rooui v nnd ho keeps in close touch with tho progress of tho gamo through the medium of this column.

Then IS 03-d, 2, 23 32, 20 27, B. wins. (Xotes by Hie Editor.) (a) This cut loaves the balance of poivct with Black; 27 23 or 22 17 would bo better, (n) 25 21 preferable. (c) An attack-which pauperises White. (d) Tlio coup do grace. Onme 2111.—" Laird and Lady."

Then 3 8, 15 10, 21 25, 10 C, 23 29, 6 2, 29 25, H 10, 25 22, 2 G, W. wins. (a) .Black's gome is weak at its best, and this is not its best, but loses. Tlio only sa/o xeplv appears to bo 1 0, ilicn 27 23, IS 27, 22 23, G 10, etc. (B) ii 2 0. then 23 18, 17 21, 23 22, G 10, 31 27, 10 17. 22 13, 7 10, 27 23, 10 IJ, 18 9, C 1-1, 13 9, 3 7, 8 5, }\\ wills. The two following games were played at Invcrcargill, between the late Jus. Wyllie, iho "Herd Laddie." mid Win. M'llwrick, during Wyllle's visit to Southland.

Gams 6113.—"Switcher." (b) In another game Wyllio played at this stago as follows:— 7 2 2ti (i lfl 10 6 6 Ift c-'.O (i 5 9 Pl 422 17 17 22 .22 )7 Drawn. (c) Wyllio hero observed that to play any other move would give him the worst of the game, so I agreed to a draw rather than risk a loss.—W. 11. DRAUGHTS ITEMS. Tho Draughts World.—The February number of the " evergreen" came promptly to hand by last mail. A feature of the issue 1 is.a good account of the late Scottish championship tourney, with short biographical sketches of the leading prize-winners. The usual complement of problems, games, criticisms, etc., make up an interesting production. 1 Otago Club.—The club meetings have been somewhat thinly attended for some few weeks, due to the picnic epidemic and tho keen competition in bowling events as the season comes to -a close. The evenings have not lacked interest, however. Last Saturday evening, among other things, several members mentioned Problem 2459 in this column, by J. Sykes. I* defied the efforts of all for some little time. • Mr Langston, however, managed it in about two minutes without moviug a piece. It was voted a good stroke. Position—Black: 1, 5, 11, 21, 28, kings 12, • 20. White: 7, 13, 14, 18, 23, 32, kings ■!, 25. White to play and win. The Scottish champion, George Buchanan —" Wee Gcordic," as he is affectionately, called amongst his intimates,—was born in St. Mundo in 1376, and resides in Glasgow. A most consistent and brilliant player in the annual Scottish tourneys since 1893, lie readied the final in 1895, only to be defeated by R. Stewart. Always plodding on, it was not, however, till 1903 that he again reached tho final, being this time defeated by his present opponent, J. Ferric. It* is a long lane that has no turning, and this camo in 1905, when, playing in brilliant form,' Buchanan won the final from H. Henderson, and completed the doublo event by again securing the championship from J. Searight last year. He has contested in three internationals against England, and ono against America. By general consent he now stands out 'as one of the world's greatest experts.— Yorkshire Post.

Tourney to be Held in Boston.—An American tourney, open to all checker players in tho United States and Canada, is to be held in Boston this month, from the 18th to the 23rd, under the auspices of the New England Checker Association. Tho following prizes will be offered:-150dol, lOOdol, SOdol, GOdol, 50do], SOdol, and 20dol. Entrance fee, lOdol; at least sixteen players to enter. Style of play—Two-move restriction. Rules of play —Those contained in Lee's Guide to tho Game of Draughts; players to be paired by lot. The games played in this tournament become tho property of the executive committee. They will bo published in book form, and, like the international match gams book, will not ho sold exccpt in return for subscription of 3dol lo the American Tourney Fund.

Our (iorkshire Post) post-bag this week brings us news from South Africa, wliero the '' silent pastime seems to be making rapid headway. "At Johannesburg," writes our correspondent, _ the Dambrod is in daily use, tho players being busy preparing for a match with Pretoria during tho Christmas holidays, of which, in due time, I will send you tho result." In South Africa the game also flourishes. It could hardly he otherwise whero there is—as a Capetown letter inform': us-a York and Lancastrian Association, having branches in all parts of the colony. Hany Frcedman, Scottish ex-cfiampion and internationalist, has done something to popnlarise the game there, and John Blotclicr, the old Manchester expert arid 188-1 international player, has for some years been one of the pioneers of the Dark Continent, though it is said he now devotes most of his leisure timo to tho sister science, chess, at which he is considered one of the leading lights. A match for the State championship of Utah was played at Salt Lake City for a slakf of 50dol, between the well-known expert, Hugh Mackean, and J. B. Smith. Ten games were to havo beeu played, but seven were enough, the scores being—Mackean, 3 wins and 1 draw, lo Smith's 1 win and 1 draw, A correspondent of the Daily News suggests that it would be a good idea in simultaneous matches between experts to tako any first move for \Blaek, and to play both sides of all the openings formed by the seven possiblo replies. Thus thero might be an "Edinburgh" match of 14 games, each game beginning with 9 13; a "Dundee" match of H games, each gamo beginning with 12 1G; a "Kelso" match ot 14 games, each game beginning with 10 15; and so on.

Immediately on his return from.his blindfold tour, Willie Gardner turned up at Iho Leeds 1). and C.C. rooms, and challenged S. Leader, the winner of the Christmas Handicap, to a "walking match" of six hoards, Playing simultaneously on the two-move restriction, offering his opponent the draws, together with a. prize if he won. Nothing loth, Loader accepted with alacrity, and after an hour and a quarter's play, the result was— Gardner, 3 wins; Leader,'2, and 1 draw. Jordan v, ll'Kclvie.—A crowded liouso at 79 Farringdon street, tho London League" headquarters, witnessed a close and interesting contest between these famed internationals. Twelve boards were played simultaneously, which gave the spectators something to watch. Jordan early on gained advantageous

positions on two boards, but did not adopt the forcing tactics and endeavour to overhaul his opponent. The first win went to M'Kclvic, but Jordan soon after notched 2, and eventually inn out victorious by 3 wins to 2, with 7 draws.—The People. The Boston Herald gives a graphic account ■ of Charles Barker in hi 3 tour through tho West. So far he has contested ■114 game 3 simultaneously or otherwise, winning 325, drawing 113, and only losing 6. The Illinois State champion figured in 1 i»anres with 1 Barker, and succeeded in drawing' C, the other being lost. \

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