DRAUGHTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15101, 25 March 1911, Page 3

DRAUGHTS.

COSDUCTED BY J OS. ABEERETUI.

Ptaoo Club.—The Otago Club meets every Satuidoy evening at Swoetir.gs, .Rattray street. Visitors welcome. <tobe— Gore Club meets on Friday nights in the Criterion Hotel. Visitors welcome.

PROBLEM 2840,

By W. Veal, Southampton, England.

[Buck.]

[Whits.]

Slack: 6, 8, 20, kings 12, 19. "White: 11, 30,

kings 4, 17, 2L White to play and win.

PROBLEM 2841. By Beet Titus, Minneapolis, U.S.A.

[Black.]

[Whitb.] Black: 3, 7, 20, king 30. White: 9,12, 21, 32. Black to play and win.

Something for readers to sharpen their 'teeth on. This was first published in the St. Paul Dispatch as a prize problem, and after three and a-lialf years has not been solved. It'is contributed by Titus to tlie last C.ap. as "An Unsolved Problem." Here is a chance to break a record! We lave no intention of providing a solution, trut will publish anything good from our solvers.—Dr. Ed.

TO CORRESPONDENTS. Alien, Dunback.—You aro correct in solution of Problem 2837. It is as you say, a gem. You aro first correct solution to hand. J. G., Dunedin.—You are correct in solution of Problom 2839, but wrong with 2838. Your fust four moves are correct. It is worth trying again. H. Egan, Melbourne.—Regret to hear of your difficulties in re coming over here. Tho point you mention was dealt with by the committoo. Have written you. F. H., Wellington— Manual forwardoi, W. Veal, Southampton, England.—Thanks for latest batch. F. _0. B„ Ashburton—Thanks for play. Next week. 11., Dunback.—You are correct in solution of Problem 2537.' You sent no solution to tho position you quote.

GAMES.

Tho following two games were played in Melbourne in a simultaneous exhibition given by A. Jordan, draughts champion of England.

Game 3056. —'"Old Fourteenth." Black—W. Blade. White—A. Jordan. 11 15 2S 2-1 111 17 22 18 12 111 Ml 6 2! I!) S U 19 10 11 IK 23 Mi 18 23 Sll £5 22 • 7 U 18 9 10 15' 11 7 2-2 17 IS 25 54 111 5 14 16 U 2 11 4 8 ID 22 3 7 20 II li 10 10 7 17 13 Vl4 31 27 716 2t> 23 14 17 15 18 17 23 A- (! 10 B-3 :28 15 18 21 14 24 20 14 18 27 23 iti 20 2319 10 17 11 15 23 14 lti 19 IB 17 22 Trawn (a) Leaves book. (b) 23 18 is bott-er. Game 3037.—" Cross."

Black—A. Jordan. White—E, J. Masey. 11 15 IS !l 14 18 32 5 3 27 31 25 21 23 18 5 14 B-2-i ;3 12 lti 21) 25 8 11 8 11 22 17 1 5 19 12 31 27 22 18 27 23 6 9 23 14 15 19 30 26 11 16 4 8 a-31 27 918 24 15 27 31 18 14 23 19 2 6 c-27 23 II VI 2l 17 27 24 ■9 14 . 17 13 18 27 25 22 31 2? B.wins (a) Martinis' favourite move.

(b) Appears to lose—26 22 draws. (c) 21 17 gives more trouble.

DRAUGHTS LITERATURE.

HILL'S MANUAL.

Thcro is a constant dfornd for a suitable book for learners or beginners in the gamo of draughts—something that will impart instruction without killing interest at the very start of the study. To meet that demand \vc have just imported a big supply of Hill's Manual—the best book for beginners ever published. It contains instructions to learners, the standard laws, the theory of tho .move, early " traps"—that is, pitfalls which occur in tho opening stages of games, —tho elementary positions, "How to Play the Popular Openings," minutely described, with variations; stroke problems, problems to illustrate scientific play on end-games, etc. Besides tho 30 " early traps" to be avoided, there arc a number of " Traps for the Unwary," 20 " Consultation Games," showing the learner how to understand and analyse his game, and valuable to every grade of player. The simple arrangement of tho consultation gamo3, with the variations branching directly from and opposito the "trunk" move, avoids the tedious searching _ from page to page which is necessary in more elaborate works, and enables tho student to see at a glance iho result of a variation. From different sources we have words of appreciation from those who liavo procured a copy. Price Ed post paid; bsoks mailed by return post.

The Draughts World—The February number of tho Draughts World came promptly to hand, and is notable for its excellent record of the eighteenth annual tournament foT the Scottish championship,, including a vignette portrait of the champion, James Ferric. The usual features of tho magazine are maintained, and the threo closely-printed pages of " Criticisms" gives some indication ot the D.W.'s standing. The Canadian Checker Player.—The January issue of the C.C.P. is No. 1 of Vol. V, and we congratulate Editor Teetzel on the success which has attended his efforts in tho interests of the game. Tho " Annual Editorial"—a retrospective and prospective view—contains more laughter than tears, and is nothing if not candid. In congratulating Mr Teetzel on his success, we aro pleased to recall that we confidently predicted it when his child was still in its swaddling clothes. We judged not by what the magazine then was, but by our readin" of the man who engineered it. Tho C.C.l° subscription list is rapidly growing, and with the addition of a few more games and a few more problems, the magazine will be os much " worth while" to foreigners as it is to Americans.

American Checkers.—Tho well-known John T. Denvir (now Senator Denvir, by the way) has -launched a new venture in tlie publishing lino—" American Checkers," being a monthly magazine of checker news, views, and roviews. One dollar a year posted. The internal arrangement is somewhat similar to tho old-timo American Checkcr Review, and the pushful Denvir has made-an auspicious beginning, providing interesting matter in games, problems, and general readin 17 . Surely in the country of big things there is room for a checker magazine, and if John T. D..fails- to "make good" with it well—who can? There is one thing in favour of the new venture—tho price is on a par with tho Draughts World, instead of the usual American big figure.' Address• John T. Denvir, 1846 South 40th Avenue, Chicago, 111., U.S.A.

THE SUPERIORITY OF DRAUGHTS. Why,is checkers (asks the American Weekly Despatch) the superior of all games? It is •' because the game admits of greater caloulablo distance than any. ether. In playing draughts a player can figure further ahead of tho present situation than can the exponents of any other game. The leading experts cf the checker gamo have been known to calculate accurately for 25 consecutivo moves in future play with which they had (previously been unfamiliar. Barker, tho American champion, claims to have seen 30 moves ahead of his game. Where can you find another game in which 25 consecutivo m-oves can bo seen and foretold by its adhorants?

Ask a pool or a billiard player to tell you just what his third shot is going to bo Ask a oard player what he will do in his third play. Theso players are apt to tell you that such a play is too far ahead of them, yet a draughts player must see at least five moves ahead, «nd maintain that average if he plays well enough to be' known as even a fair player. Most of the truth is concealed from a oard player, but tho draughts player has everything before him at tho beginning of his calculations. He has. the truth before him with his reasoning powers put to the test, and no chance to bla-me results on the Juck of tho deal.

If a man starts to calculate with an erroneous impression of the truthful conditions, ho cannot reason logically and obtain the correct answor. He might start with a wrong notion of the truth, and by incorrect reasoning chaneo on tho truth, but ho will more often be right if ho more often starts with the truth known and reasons correctly. The gamo of draughts gives its players tho opportunity to apply, their ability where a real test may be found. Bettor to excel with brains than wiih brawn. Then draughts is tho gamo of all games because, giving tho greatest opportunity for sound reasoning, it aids in Ihe accretion of mental strength through the practice which it allows,

DRAUGHTS ITEMS. Problem 2837.—This beautiful "stroko" has created a lot of interest. Quito a number of would-be solvers consider the position is wrong, or the terms are. But both are correct. In the Otago Club the other evening questions were being exchanged: "Have you seen Hews's problem?"—" Yes." "Can you do it?"—"No; can you?' No one could answer "Yes.' Then th« players collaborated, with Mr D. A. Brodio as centre-piece, and tho fun began. Suggestions were plentiful, and one man, standing eide-on to the board, was illuminated with a beautiful idea which worked the oracle. "I havo it!" he'shouted, "I have it!" "Show it, then," replied Br-odie, sceptioaJly. "Here, this," said tho illuminated ono; and silenie reigned as he made a few rapid moves, then a burst of ironic laughter made tho table quiver. " What are you laughing at, anyhow? Whaifs tho matter with that?" This show of irritation increased the merriment, until someone chokingly informed tho questioner: "That's all Tight; only you aro moving tho pieces backwards!" Tableau. Ordei- and tho "men" were restored, and eventually the solution was found. "A beauty!" was tho unanimous verdict. Here is the position, again:—Black: 1, <1 5 9 13, 17, 19, 22, 25, Jring 16. White: 6, 7,' ll' 14, 15, 18, p, 28, 31, king 10. White to play and win. Send your solution. D Orio v. Doran.—A match of some importance in America _ took place from January 8 to 18 in Chicago, when the young Italian Julius D'Orio met Peter Doran" the "pet" of the Illinois players, the stake being 2oodol D'Orio won handsomely by 10 to 3, and 31 drawn.

Canadian Championship.—The C.C.P. gives an interesting account of a successful' iouruoy for the Canadian championship held, during the Christmas holidavs. There' were 13 entries. The erstwliilo London notability. John W. Jacobson, secured tho covetcd title. Jacob.-on was defeated soino years ago by k. Jordan in a match for the London premiers Kip.

Presentation.—At a meeting of the Victorian Draughts Association hold at tho Melbourne Draughts Club on Saturday evening, January 28, a presentation of a handsome writing desk was made to Mr G, A. Kerr, honorary secretary, in recognition cf his valuablo services.-Weekly Times