An Old-Time Match.

Otago Witness, Issue 1981, 11 February 1892, Page 37

An Old-Time Match.

To the Editor of the American Checker Review :— The following account taken from Pohlman's 1823 work on draughts, is a notice of the earliest regular match at checkers that I nave ever came across, and will undoubtedly interest many of your readers : "On Monday, June 2, 1794, <i match at draughts was played at the Stone House, in Oldstrcet, between the noted Jew, Israel Cohen, and the famous Mr Beaumont. They played 20 games, for one guinea a game, 19 of which were drawn, and the 20th was won by Cohen, who is universally allowed to be the best draught player in the kingdom. One hundred pounds to LlO was betted in Cohen's favour, and in the course of play, gold to silver was repeatedly offered. Among the first-rate players present were Mr Latham, Mr Martin, Mr George Cross, the St. James' butcher, Mr Hughes, and a number of genteel amateurs; Mr Hvghes afterwards played with three different gentlemen, and beat his competitors with ease."— Correspondent Sporting Magazine. Wyllie v. Brown. — A restricted subscription matcli between Mr James Wyllie (the "Herd Laddie") and Mr J. C. Brown, of Hawick, finished in favour of Wyllie. In all they played 11 games ; of these Wyllie won 2, Brown, 0 ; and 9 games were drawn. Wyllie won with the white side in the "Edinburgh," a game considered weak for Black. When Brown in turn came to play the strong side, Wyllie had to run for the draw. Wyllie also won with the White side of "Fife." Brown played well all through against so experienced an opponent, and if he improves as he is doing, as Mr Wyllie remarked, he will astonish not a few before long.— Courier.