DRAUGHTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16277, 9 January 1915, Page 3

DRAUGHTS.

COKDTCUD BY Jos. ABEBNETIIY. PROBLEM 4167. Br Judge Gibbons, Colorado, U.S.A. [Black.]

[White.] Black to play and win

Thia neat ending occurred in cross-board play 'between Mr Harry Peters, tho present checker champion of Colorado, and Judge Gibbons, of Cripple Creek, Col., the champion remembering tho shock he sustained when the gdge delivered his "solar plexus."—Pittsburg

GAMES. Hero are two games Newell Banks contested in Akaroa on a recent visit, and are of interest in view ol tho championship contest "with Jordan. We are indebted to Jlr W. T. Kerr, of the Pittsburg Leader, for scores and notes.

Game 3169—"Ke150." Bank's move. 10 15 4 8 5 9-b 913 B 25 30 23 19 25 22 25 22 16 11 21 17 7 10 9 14 10 15 lti 13 22 22 17 29 25 17 10 31 26 21 18 11 16 811 15 1» 6 9 22 26 24 20-A 17 13 23 16 27 23-P 18 14 15 22 11 15 " 12 19 9 14 26 31 £0 11 22 17 32 27-C 23 1H 14 ill 8 15 15 19 6 15 14 18 31 26 28 19 26 23 13 8 lfi 12 11 7 )5 24 19 26 2 9 18 25 Sfi 22 27 20 30 23 20 10 D 26 23 n-7 2 Banks won,

(A) Weak; 26 23 is best. (b) An odd move, but very powerful, and has a hidden idea. (c) Appears weak; 10 7 may be better. (d) Forced. (e) Powerful move, and is the key to the idea of note (b). (f) Anything else loses. (a) An original game throughout. Gams 3170—" Kelso." Black: H. 0. New comb. White; Banks. 10 15 7 10-c 310 4 8 19 13 24 19-a 22 17 25 22 32 28 9 U 15 24 913 2 7-P 711 23 32 28 19 18 9 22 18 14 10 14 23 914 13 22 13 17 11 18 22 26 22 18 25 18 21 14 10 1 30 26 5 9 6 13 10 17 8 II 26 31 26 22-b 29 25-D 19 15 19 15 25 22 27 24 18 15 18 14 1 6 15 11 16 20 11 IS 16 16 19 31 27 31 27 23 7 24 19 6 9 H-22 18 Banks won. (a) A favourite lin© of Hugh Henderson. (b) 25 22 is also eafe, but the test move is preferable. (c) 8 11 is stronger, and gives Black a good game. (d) Same as the 9 14 trunk of the "Second Double Comer" opening, as played by, Wyllie end Martins. (f) 4 8 looks better. (h) The end game has been won for several moves past. Game 3171—" Cross." By H. Henderson, in Pittsburg Despatch. The subjoined compilation on a line of this popular opening will doubtless prove interesting and instructive to the amateur. The play is by no means original, and authorship is credited where known. 11 15 19 10 1H IS) 21 27 420 C 6 S3 23 18 714 SO 26 c 5 9 27 24 15 19 8 11 26 19 14 18 25 21 20 27 24 1« 27 23" 11 Iff 32 27 18 25 3115 12 19 10 14 19 15 3 8 29 22 710 11 7 23 19 9 13-* £0 18-D 811 15 11 19 ?3 14 23 24 20-b 2 7 15 8 10 15 7 2 Black crowns on 30, and after playing 1 5 gives White the death squeeze via 30 25. (a) die line in question. Its main merit lies in your opponent 'being_ ignorant of its fine points, 3 8 is also a subtle line at this point. It is a "masked battery," and entices White into the series of natural disasters that iprings from 9 13. (b) 30 26, 14 18, 32 27, 16 19 (21 17, 12 16, •tc., draws), 24 20, 3 8, same as trunk. (c) 32 27 at this particular point is the Impelling move of the Black attack. It tempts 14 18, and then the fireworks, as shown by Mar against Wyllie, is very apt to appear, thus:—32 27, M 18, '31 '26, '4 S, 20 16, 27, 26 23; good-night to Black, but observe that 3 8 in place of 14 18 keeps Black on a level footing, the best play for both sides being: — 3 8 8 15 13 22 6 10 10 15 x-14 18 15 11 22 17 21V 11 30 26 E9 25 Then 27 23 and an even game results. It should be noted that 14 18 at x is necessary for the draw, because if 5 9 is played instead of 14 18, then comes 11 7, 2 11, 27 23, 12 16, 25 22, and Whiie can win. (d) 21 17, 12 16, and Black wins in a hurry. DRAUGHTS ITEMS. Wedding Bells.—A ceremony of some interest to local draughts players took place last Wednesday, December 30, when Mr D. A. Brodie, the noted Dunedin expert, " took unto himself a wife." This new move on " Dave's" part having become known, members of the Otago Club combined to mark •the auspicious occasion by presenting him with a. tangible token of fellowship and goodwill. This took the form of a butter-cooler and biscuit-barrel, the presentation being made by Mr K Botting, president of the club, who suitably expressed the good wishes of the donotß. Mr F. Hillikej (vice-president) also spoke, and out of his close knowledge of the prospective bridegroom prophesied a useful and happy life for him in his new sphere. We were unable to be present at the function, but take this opportunity of endorsing what was Said by the speakers; and we are confident that, on behalf of our readers, who in the past have frequently been entertained by Mr Brodie, we can safely assure him of the heaxtiest good wishes for his future welfare. For years he has practised every variation in the "single corner" with no lasting satisfaction. Now that he has a good partner, we would paternally advise him never to play "cross," but always "Souter," and he will assuredly make a safe game of "Laird and Lady." A Novel Contest.—Those who are intimately, acquainted with Mr J. A. Boreham know him not only 03 a draughts player, but as one very fond of a joke, practical or otherwise. He used his genius in both directions recently in an endeavour to quell the "sporting proclivities" of a man who speculates, not wisely, but too well, and always insists on having "a bit on" at everything he tries. They met in a bouse where 'both were to stay the night, and the "sport" wanted assistance in " spending the evening" congenially. Boreham, who is of the "helpinghand " order, unsuccessfully trial to combat the " bit on " mania, and played him at cards, then at chess; but still success eluded the " sport." " Look here," he finally exclaimed, " give me those pawns, and I'll play you draughts!" "But," said J. A. 8., yon could not hold me at that game, could you?" "Well, what odds will you give me?" "I'll give you draws as wins," said Boreham. "Right!" said the sport, "on one condition— sixpence a game. I can play better then." Boreham warned him, and finally agreed. Game after game was rattled through, but the sport would not stop until after 1 o'clock a.m. when the score stood 30 games to Boreham and no draws. Boreham wanted to retire, but the sport said it was too early to go to bed. "Come on and give me another try. What other sort of odds can you suggest to give me a show?" he asked. "Well," replied Boreham, "I'll give you this offer: Clear off those pawns, and plaoe single shillings for your men and I'll place two-shil-ling pieces for mine, and we'll keep all we can get." " Snakes!" said the sport, "do you think I am a robber? Why I'd skin, you by merely manning off, and gain a bob every time. What rot!" "All right, that's my offer. I'm off to bed." "Oh, here, come on, then, if you will have it; but don't blame me!" Play began, and the sport "manned off" on every opportunity, until the pieces were reduced to four aside, when Boreham interrupted his opponent's laughter by playing a piece into crown. "Crown that," he said. The sport placed a shilling on it. "No, you don't. Tou must crown that man witli a piece you have taken—that's the law!" This was done by placing a florin on top, and a few moves 'iter Boreham crowned another piece, and blocked his opponent, winning, though the pieces remaining on the board were not treated as captures—that is, the sport retained his four uncaptured men. The sport then counted up his gains, and found they were lossc3, very much to his astonishment. (Problem: llow much did he lose?). "Ah, said the sport. "I see tho point. I must keep you out of the crown. Try it again, and I'll beat yon." He tried again, but with no better fortune. " Now. here's your money back," said Boreham. "I'm off to bed." And he left tho sport a wiser, if not a sadder, man.