DRAUGHTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22498, 16 February 1935, Page 22

DRAUGHTS

Conducted bt JAS. BEECOT. Solutions :0f . problems, games, and analyse* Invited-.-' tor this column. Games ehould be *)x columns as below, and all corrospondence ' addressed to Mr J. Beecot. 63 (icckhampton court, or Otago Dally Times Office, Dunedin. >. /’ PROBLEM No. 275. By C. Pickering (London). , Black 5,18, Kings 11, 23.

White 7,9, Kings 2, 14. White to move and win. PROBLEM No. 276. By G. F, Pardon. Black 1,. 12, .16, King 13.

; White 5,6, 10, King 11, ; Black to move and win. The two selections above are culled from the Leader. They are not too difficult, but very neat. TO CORRESPONDENTS. . G. A. Brown, Christchurch. —Games and notes appreciated. ■ I*, A. M'Grath, Christchurch.; —Some literature posted. ■ ■!;.. h. ; .. .J. Shadbolt, Walkarl.—Many thanks-for annotated correspondence games, and. promise of more. . . ’ _ - - ’ G. M’Cluskey, ‘ Dunedin.—Yours ■ will be attended to, . ’■ v;, R.:A. Nlohol, Dannevlrke.—Thanks for Information; will use in due time, P, Humphreys, Wyndham.—There was some delay In sending. Am expecting parcel very soon now. Bob Dick, Walmato.—Solution 271 .correct. In No, 272 you give a long solution, with a longer variation, but in the latter you make two consecutive Black moves which alter “the move” and allow the win. The author's solution Is short, with every move forced. R, Cralgle, Dunedin. —Solution 271 correct;. In No. 272 at move 12 you-play 24 28 to win, but 24 27, 23 32, 31 26 draws. Nos;'273 and 274 correct. , James Bruce, New Plymouth,—You have had J-a-good response to the Prize Problem, and X do not favour extending the time. Please,, send me your own solution. There will be enough play In to satisfy the critics for some time. GAMES. j AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP. We are Indebted to Mr G. A. Brown, Dominion champion, for two games played In the first round of the recent Australian championship tourney between ,S. Wilkins and W. M’Laughlln. Mr M’Laughlin lost this round, but then put up a good fight, winning five rounds In succession, and finally took third place. He Is regarded as the most outstanding of the younger school of players, and Is looked upon as a coming champion, Mr Brown has very kindly added the notes. ' GAME No. 246.—“ Kelso.” Black,. \y, ;.M‘Laughlln. . White, S. Wilkins.

(a) Black : throws away the Initial advantage by thus turning the game into a “ Kelso,” brought up by 10 15, 23 18, 7. 10. (b) 27 23 Is a shade stronger. (c) 3 7 Is the choice of many.. (d) The popular reply, but I prefer 24 19. (e) 11 16 makes an equal game. (f) 32 27 is also good. • (g) This brings the counterpart to an i end. j '■ GAME No. 247.—“ Cross.” Black, S. Wilkins. Whited W. M'Laughlin.

1 (a) This opening tends to favour Black. (b) Most players favour 27 23, but there is very little, If any, difference between the two moves. (c) In several of my correspondence games I played 24 19, and secured safe games. (d) A good alternative is 6 10, to which White replies 24 19, 15 24, 27 20; for 28 19 loses . ■ (e) 12 16, 19 12, 11 16 leads to tricky play in which either side can easily lose. (f) The losing move. 26 22 draws. SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS. Problem No. 273 (Tommy Wiswell). — Black 9,.12, 13, 14, King 20; White 11, 15. 16, 19, 2.1, 22, 31. White to move and

Problem No. 274 (Tommy Wiswell). — Black 1,3, 13, King 32; White 12, 15, 18, 22, 27. White to move and draw.

(■ CRITICISM. R. Craigle writes: “At move 7 (14 18) of C. Souness's play in Game No. 240 try 2 6 for short play and a nice Black win.” NEW ZEALAND AND AMERICA, Mr J. Bruce, New Plymouth, has notified me that he has received a letter from his American opponent, George T. Austin, 53$ Warren avenue, Belvidere, Illinois, ’D.S.A. Games Nos. 65 and 66. —Opening 10 15, 21 17, 7 10. Games Nos. 67 and 68. —Opening 10 14, 23-19, 14 18. '£* A footnote In the letter from Mr Kemmerer ■ says: “ I have all going now except Board 1, which I am saving for Jack Cox.” Now I have not been.notified from America that A. B. Greenwood or J. Turbitt has been matched, which indicates that probably a letter has gone astray. Will these gentlemen please advise me it they have heard from their opponents. DOMINION CHAMPIONSHIP. This tourney, ‘ which will be held at Dannevlrke, commencing on April 19, promises to be a great success. The arrangements are well in hand, and Mr E. Gibbard, on behalf of the Tournament Committee, has obtained permission to hold an art union, for which the first prize will be alluvial gold to the value of £5. Tickets will , cost 3d each, and will be made available to Draughts players in Dunedin. Arrangements are ’to be made for the Hon. E. A. Ransom, M.P., and the Mayor of Dannevlrke to officiate at the opening. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Draughts Association will be held on the evening before the tourney opens, the 18th. AN AUSTRALIAN DECISION. It will be of interest to Dominion players to know that Information has reached New Zealand (but not officially) that at a meeting of the Australian Draughts Association held on the eve of their tourney in Mel- ' bourne it was decided that New Zealand players would not be allowed to compete in the tournament to be held at Hobart in 1936.

n. is 6 15 1 10 10 17 8 11 19 23 23 18 27 18 .. 32 23 22 13 25 21 14 10 7 11-a 12 16-o 3 '7 8 11 7 10 20 24 26 23-b 21 17 30 26 25 22 23 18 28 19 10 14-c 16 20 15 19 11 15-g 15 19 15 24 23 19-d 17 13-f 23 16 29 25 22 17 10 6 14 23 ,20 27 11 20 ,4 810 15 Drawn. 19 10 13 6 18 14 26 23 18 14

11 15 7 10-d 4 8 10 17 1 5 7 10 23 18-a 24 19 17 13-f 19 15 18 9 9 5 8 11 15 24 3 7 9 14 5 14 15 19 26 23 r t . 28 19 25 22 ’■ 18 9 15 10 5 1 10 14 11 16-e 14 17 5 14 6 15 17 22 30 26-c i 22 17 21 14 22 18 13 9 B. wins.

win *15 10 7 3 12 16 19 23 23 26 17 13 20 24 12 19 23 26 30 25 14 18 9 14 ♦10 7 3 12 16 19 *22 17 26 17 13 17 24 8 19 23 26 30 13 22 18 23 14 18 and 17 22 White wins.

27 23 27 31 18 15 1 10 *6 2 13 17 32 27 23 19 26 17 15 6 14 18 *6 10 15 10 31 26 10 6 17 14 2 6 18 15 ,and 10 14. Drawn.