Draughts Items.

Otago Witness, Issue 953, 25 April 1889, Page 29

Draughts Items.

St. Bathans.— lt is proposed to form a Chess and Draughts Club at St. Bathans at an early date. As 1 there are several fairly good players in the district, a most enthusiastic inauguration is expected, together with a large membership. 1 Balolufcha Chess and Draughts Club.— A meeting of the Balclutha Chess and Draughts Club was held in the Borough Council Chambers on the 15th inst. There was a good attendance, Mr J. W. Wilson presiding. The chairman explained that the business was the eleotion of office-bearers, and to decide upon a few rules for the guidance of the club. Mr Wilson was elected president ; Mr Robert Mason, vicepresident; and Mr Peter Nelson, secretary and treasurer. Mr G. Brace waß elected an honorary member. The secretary was instructed to.obtain a copy of the rules, of the Dunedin Club. The club, which now numbers 35 members, will meet on Monday and Thursday evenings during the winter months/ New Work on Draughts.— Mr L. M. Steams, the well-known problemist and checker editor of the Derry (N. H.) News, is about to publish in pamphlet form a work on the •' Laird and Lady " opening, embracing linns of play never before published in any book. The pamphlet will also contain a number of problems by the world's greatest composers. The work, with others which will follow, will be styled the Granite State Series. Well Done, Spennymoor.— The gate money taken at the recent international match amounted to £37 Is, which, we are given to understand, beats all previous records. . . . Smith takes his defeat in a dignified manner, but readily admits that Barker is the best player now, but he is not dismayed, &nd intends to have another try before admitting Barker's superiority.— Northern Leader.

Answers to Correspondents. Correct solutions of Problem 702 received from HBO, Roslyn ; BH, Milton ; JS, Olutha ; R L, Dunedin ; J M'N, Winton; DH, Berwick. Solution of Pboblem 702. By Mr D. Brodie, Dunedin. Blaok men on 1, 4, 6, 9, 28 ; X 25. White on ]12, 15, 17, 22, 32 ;K 7. White to play and win. 15 10 615 17 13 22 18 13 6 110 723 White wins. L E, Oulverden JStation.— Your solution of JProblem 703 is correct. DH, Beiwick.— ln your- solution of Problem 703, by some unexplained reason you have reversed the colours, and the play is in consequence backward. Instead of playing White 12 16 (impossible with a single man) play 21 17, &c, and' your solution is corrects