Draughts Items

Otago Witness, Issue 2087, 22 February 1894, Page 38

Draughts Items

A Query.— "Subscriber" has dropped across tho following position in some out-of-the-way corner, and would like to find a solution: -Black man on 9, ks on 28, 29 ; White man on 22, ks on 20, 25. White to move and win. " Subscriber "is evidently not a regular reader of this column, as tho same position has received no little attention recently. White wins as follows:—2016, 28 24, 1011, 24 19, 25 21, 914, 2217, 1418, 1115, 1910, 1714, JO 17, 2123, and White has the move. Of course Black is<not forced to this play, but it is as strong as anything else. In the Witness of November 23 will be found play by "WaiUwi" for a draw for Black, but on going over it now, we find our former opinion is correct, that White can win agaiaar any Black move. Here is an opportunity for readers to amuse themselves by finding the win on other lines.

Mugridge.— Mr Steams, in the Derry News, says :— James A. Mugridge, of Buffalo, N.Y., who made an even scdre with C. 11. Freeman, has a great record. Since 18(50 he has not been beaten, Wvllio'a first visit exceptod. He has played Drysdale, Vannettu, Mercer, Spayth, Robinson, and Wyllie 1 each, 13 draws ; Barker G drawn ; Webster 4 drawn, Reed 2 each, 14 drawn ; Yates 1 drawn, mid a host of other lesser light*. Who can hhow a better record ?"

The itrusfjlo for the draughts championship of Queensland is now noaring its end. Mr Passoy was the survivor of the losers' class, and play began on the 29th ult., in the final round between him and Mr C. F. Abraham, by whom he was defeated some ,weeks ago. The fifth of the six games of the round was played on the 2nd inst., and resulted in a draw, the score then standing— Abraham 2 wins, Paesey 1 win, and 2 drau s. An American correspondent of the Liverpool Mercury Writes :— "Checkers is very dull in the States just now. Barker has retired to his hole, drawn in the cover, and nobody seems inclined to disturb him in his doubtful glory. I Bay ' doubtful ' because a non-combative champion inspires only doubt. He has no following, and awakens no enthusiasm. Wyllio was ever ready and eager for the battle ; Reed would play, but because of the waywardness of his genius commands no ready backers for figures that have a musical jingle in the Britonian's ears. Freeman's untouchable ability is now a thiog of the past ; he is an elegant player, certainly, but doe 3 not eagp.rly seek au antagonist of ability like Heed does. Freeman cannot play for scores hither and thither, but I would not hesitate to back him in a single match if he were in good practice and thorouehly prepared. I cannot but think, however, that in 'cross board play, on original ground, James Reed has no superior, if indeed he has an equal. At that match in Scotland, Brown seems t« have had no chance with Jordan ; nor do the endings, which have been examined over here, display anything out of the ordinary. And co Wyllie is going to play Ferric ! Do you know, I think the system of restriction which they have agreed to is ridiculous, though some fine play may, and probably will, result." Wylliev. Freeman. — Mr Wyllie has been officially quoted that he positively did notplay a match of checkers with C.H. Freeman. If the gentleman lives long enough, says the Pittsburg Telegraph, no doubt he will forget that he was in America at all !