GAMES. SONNETS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2055, 13 July 1893, Page 38

GAMES.

SONNETS.

Game 2034—" Defiance."

Played in the recent contest at South Shields between Messrs J. L. Richmond, of Marsden, and William Campbell, of Glasgow, the celebrated blindfold player.

Richmond's move. 1115 514 1115 16 613 2319 29 25 32 28 26 22 15 6 711 1115 1524 913 227 2723 2522 2819 2218 3124 914 811 4 8 3 7-b 811 22 18 24 20 22 18 .18 9 Black 15 22 15 24 6 9 1317 wins. 25-9 2819 1815-a2114/ (a) The losing move. 3127 draws as follows : — 3127 2117 27 23, 2016 1611 811 14 21 1015 1219 Drawn 1815 23 5 1910 2316 1118 2 6 615 1519 (6) The beginning of a beautiful "stroke, which wins nicely, and is similar to some of the endings by the veteran Mr, J. Wyllie.

The following games were played between Messrs Drury and Boyce, the two well-known Sydney players. They occurred in a little match with a score of Boyce 4, Drury 2, drawn 7. Altogether these players have contested 10 matches, of which Boyce has won six, lost two, and drawn two. For the games we are indebted to the Sydney Echo.

Game 2035—" Cross." Boyce's move,

1115 25 21 2623 2819 1815 2318 914 1116 4 8 2 6 811 18 9 2t2oa-30 25 2518 27 23 514 15 24 5 9 16 20 913 2319 2011 2218 2117' 2117 15 716 13 22 14 21 6 9 Mr Boyce won. (a) In a subsequent game Mr Drury varied here as follows :— 3127 1115 32 27 15 22 1915 811 27 24 3 7 25 9 13 22 30 25 16 20 , 2218 514 15 6 After 2 9, Mr Boyce won. Game 2036—" Bristol." Dmry'smove. ' • , 1115 614 4 8 716 2027 24 20 25 22 1713 25 22 3216 1519 1015 15 3 t 1418 2316 2217 3127 13 9 9 6 12 19 6 10 8 12 fc-16 20 2 9 2218 27 24 27 23 231*5 1713914 811 1116 1219 914 18 9 29 25 2011 2217 Boyce -.yqn. (6) In a subsequent game Mr. Drury varied here as follows :— > 711 16 20 1120 1116 2619 2217 2316 6 2 2319 15. 24 2 7 20 27 711 16 23 2819. 9 6 32 23 2 6 Boyce won. Draughts Items; Dunedin Club.— This club's return match with the Wharf Club is fixed for Saturday, the 15th ; the return match with the Kaikorai Club for August 5. It is desired to arrange matches with Sawyer's Bay and Moßgiel, and the secretaries of these clubs would oblige by communicating their address to the draughts editor of this column, so that arrangements may be made. Queensland Championship.— The protracted struggle between Mr l'assey (Brisbane) and Mr Allen (of Ipswich) terminated on the 13th inst , at the School of Arts, Ipswich, in favour of the former. The final score stands Passey 4, Allen 1, drawn 6. , Quick Playing.— The quickest played games I have had the pleasure of seeing (says "Single Corner," in Sydney Echo) were played between Messrß Line arid Nairn, two "lightning players." Three games were played within tho space of three minutes and a-half, and eight in twenty minutes. As the players settled to their work, the rapid moving became slower. Mr Lane, finding Mr Nairn a nut he could not crack in his offhand style, \ became more deliberate, and eventually, after having played' about 20 games within the space of one hour and a-half, he brought his score about equal. Some of ihe games were really well played, the books being followed in several with great exactijef s. Notwithstanding the rapidity of Messrs Lane and Nairn's play, the games

were well contested, and we did I .' not observe many slips. • Mosgiel.— The talent and enthusiasm of the Mosgiel players has been lying dormantfor a year or two ; but there is every evidence of a big revival of oldtime activity. ' A draughts club has been formed, and a challenge has been accepted to play Woodside. The Taieri Advocate has acceded to a request to open a draughts column, which will greatly tend to keep interest alive. Another good idea is that the club intend asking Mr Brodie, the Dunedin champion, to pay them a vkit and give exhibitions of - bis powers against all comers. We have that player's authority to state that he will willingly comply with suitable arrangements. _ Gore.— A meeting called some time ago to form a draughts club for Gore unfortunately lapsed, only one or two enthusiasts putting in an appearance. We hope another attempt will be made to start the club, as there is plenty of room for one in the flourishing township -'besides, they will have good opportunities for match playing against Mataura; Ferndale, Mandeville, Wyndham, &c. Reed v. Barker.— James Reed, of Pittsburgh, has challenged 0. F. Barker, the checker champion of America,' to play a match of 30 games, for a stake of 250d0l a-side, together with the "checker championship of 'the world." Balfour, July 10.— The starting of a draughts club for this district was talked about so long that we almost despaired of it evercomingtoahead. However, a meeting of those interested in the game was called a fortnight ago, and there was a very good attendance. Mr J. A. Mills was elected president, Mr W. Cowie vice-president, Mr D. Dickie, match captain, ( and Mr 'James Barron, secretary and treasurer. Two practice evenings have been held since then which have been well attended, and last Thursday night a match was played President v. Vice-preßi-deht. This resulted in a win for the Vice-president's side, but as will be seen by the scores, most of the players were very well matched. The return match is arranged to come off in a fortnight. The club has now over 20 members and meets weekly for practice in the schoolhouse.

Handicap Tournament. Play in the handicap tourney at the Dunedin club was concluded on Friday week/and Saturday evening, during the festivities of last week's match, was considered a fitting opportunity to announce the result. Mr Shelton accordingly expressed the pleasure it afforded him to hand over the prizes as follows :— First prize, D. A. Brodie (handsome silver medal suitably inscribed, and showing draughts board with a problem) ; second J. N. Brodio (work on draughts presented by draughts editor of Witness) ; , third, W. Boddy (handsome edition of " The Life of Earl of Shaftesbury," presented by H. Howes, ex-presi-dent of Dunedin Club). The following table shows details of the play :—

. On the motion of Mr Shelton, -seconded by Mr Rice, a voto of thanks was accorded the liandicapper, Mr ■ J. Abernethy, draughts editor Witness ; also to the donors of prizes. Answers to Correspondent? - J. S. S., Matauia.— Must compliment you on ending. Solution of 1095 is correct. "Celt," Hakateramea. — Your kind remarks appreciated. Solution of 1094 is quite sound, including remark on 10 6 ; also 1095. Will forward best on hand ) if too expensive can be returned. W. S., Arrow.— Correct this time with 1094 ; also with 1095. Will be pleased to hear result of your examination. D. W., Waitahuna.— Letterwith P. 0.0. to hand, and. books forwarded. Me problem 1080, you play correctly, but do not go " far enough. Your last move is 38 ; continue 22 17, 8 15, 17 22, and what then ? Solution of 1094 admits of a draw ; but you are correct in 1095. R. S., Skippers.— Your remarks onplaysentapparently correct, but will have to await more leisure. Many thanks for interesting letter and problem ; invitation may one day beaccepted. J. 8., Balfour.— Thanks for report. Wish you success. SOLUTION OF DUAL PROBLEM. 1 Black man on 12, ks on 1, 3, 4, 18, 29, 25, 27, 2S ; White men on 6, 11, 15, 16, 20. ks on 2, 10, 19, 26. The first problem is— to set up the position' on the board without the aid of buttons or other foreign articles. That being accompli bed, the second is— White to move and win. 11 8 411 2819 117 310 1811 1921 1014 26 30 30 32 16 7 White wins,

DISILLUSIONMENT. I often gazed in youth on one fair scene Of wood and lake and stream and rugged hill Far-spread before me in the sunshine, till My spirit trembled with a pleasure keen; But now for me departed is the sheen That glorified of old each tumbling rill.— So, when I saw thee first, my heart stood still To hear thy voice and mark thy perfect mien, Till passion's torrent fierce and high did flow And throbbed through all the channels of the brain: Now not a corpuscle in all my blood Jostles his fellow, tiut with even flood, ' From heart to head and head to heart again Eftoh in his wonted place doth quiet go. INCONSTANCY. I loved thee once, and now I love thee not, And why I love thee not I do not know: When we were young together, long ago, Thy form was fair, thy soul without a blot, And all thy life in every act and thought A holy, sweet selfsacrifie j and so, " Thy excellence compelling, I did grow To strength of love, and love responsive sought Not vainly. But, alas ! the years went by, And love that oft I vowed a quenchless fire Flickered like fire and died, and left behind But ashes of reproach.—Thus changed I; , But thou, all uncomplaining, with the attire Of steadfast love dost clothe thy constant mind. Diinedin, July 4,1893. ' —Wm. Gay.

> d <a s 68 68 68 68 68 6S 68 68 ■s o t 'i i I D. A. Brodie ... .1. N. Brodie ... W. Boddy ... A. W. Lowe ... G. Blackwood... D. Strap ger ... T. Warren ... A. Ma thereon... H. Smith E. Stanley ... H. G. Williams H. J. Shelton... J. Smith J. Morton W.Rice J. King J. Grant G. M'Lean ... 64 47 25 57i 574 474 3ti 45 20* 26 25i 26 25 404 27 120 ,304 4 21 43 IOJ 10i 204 334 23 47* 42 42J 42 43 274 41 48 374 m 16 37 4 4 13 254 14 38 32 32 32 32 15 264 32 j 154 40 61 63 62 6J>3 61* 604 60 59 58J 53 574 58 57 bsl Ml '52 46 45J 68 68 68' 68' 68 68 68!

a President. 1 Vice-presi-dent. i 2 1 2 3 2 0 2 Mills (P) D. M'Phee Barron Hands Chandler Learmouth Goats 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 M'Lean Dickie Cowie (V-p) Rosinusson Hood Walker ar. M'Phee 0 1 2 3 3 2 3 12 ■ 4 1 te