Draughts News.

Otago Witness, Issue 1764, 12 September 1885, Page 23

Draughts News.

Barker v. Hhffnkr.— A match is already talked of between Mi C. P. Barker, ex champion, and Mr A. J. Heffner, present champion oi America. Edinburgh and Leith v. Border Counties.— On July 4th, a match took place with fourteen players a side in the Working Mens' Institute, Edinburgh. Score 1 Edinburgh and Leith, 40 games ; Border Counties, 6 ; Drawn, 21. ' Mr J. M. Greenwood, Superintendent of the City Schools, Kansas City, Mo., in writing of the game of checkers, says : "If our boys were taught to play checkers scientifically it would decrease the gambling habit of our people by a, large per cent. As for_ the educational value of such work, it ranka alongside of the mental processes involved in solving; mathematical problems. To cultivate attention, too r it is certainly .one of the best exercises. Our observation is that persons who are devoted to either checkers or 6hess care but little for any other game." Draughts under Difficulties.— The well known enthusiasts Mr David Miller of Oamaru, and Mr James S. Wilson of Dunedin, chanced to meet the other day up country when on a business visit in connection with the Otago Central Railway worka. Having a little leisure at night, and being anxious to wile away the time pleasantly, they chalked out a board on the top of a dynamite box, made ronnd and square men out of corks, and with this impromptu arrangement they succeeded in playlngsome capital games which were all the more enjoyable through their taking place in such an out of the way quarter. Though they were both repeatedly in imminent danger during the course of play, as thebox happened to be empty they duly reached towm in safety.