Draughts Items

Otago Witness, Issue 2006, 4 August 1892, Page 36

Draughts Items

Sydney.— The handicap at the Sydney School of Arts has at last been declared closed, although not actually played to a finish. Messrs Thos. Reid and Drury finished their round of six games for first and second place, but the result was a draw, so they agreed to divide the honours. Mr Reid has evidently not been up to his usual, or he might have held the advantage he gained in winning the first two games. We have been favoured with a few of the games played in the tourney, which appear this week. Mr Milne secured third place and Mr Boyce fourth.— Mr Underwood, of Newton, has offered a handsome draughts board to be played for if 12 entries are received at Is entrance fee. It is proposed to play under the "single-life" system. — A championship tourney is to be started in a short time.

Queenstown. — The players of Queenstown have organised and formed a club, which is progressing satisfactorily, and no doubt they will soon throw down the gauntlet to the Arrow Club.

Blindfold.— Mr J. P. Reed, by invitation, gave an exhibition of blindfold play at the rooms of the chess and checker club of Washington. There was a large audience, and much surprise was expressed at the wonderful feat of memory. Mr Reed contested six games simultaneously, without sight of board, and won five, the sixth being drawn.

The Providence Wonder.— Mr Freeman, of Providence, recently visited Worcester, Mass., and gave an exhibition of his marvellous powers as a player at the Young Men's Christian Association there. He contested 21 games faimultaneou.sly, winning IS and drawing 3. The performance was witnessed by over 700 persons.

Excelsior. — The veteran Wyllie states that he is pUying " better than ever."

Henry Shearer. — Mr Henry Shearer, of Dundee, played six of the Cupar men at ouce, without sight of the draughts board — a feAt in which it is thought he could hold his own with any in Scotland. After about an hour and a-half's play he succeeded in defeating four of his opponents, two games being drawn.