DRAUGHTS ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2263, 15 July 1897, Page 48

DRAUGHTS ITEMS.

All Saints' Club. — The draughts tournament in connection with the Young Men's Oiub of All Kaints' was concluded on Monday evening, the iirst prize being won by Mr L. Bray and the second by Mr J. Hopcraf t. This tournament was commenced in the beginning of the club's season, and has proved a great success, most of the games being keenly contested. The Gore Chess aud Draughts Club's draughts tourney for the president's prize is now well under way. A few of the players evidently mean business, as they have got through more than half their games already ; whereas some have not yet started. Bach player must play two games with each other player in the tourney, aud all games must be finished on or before September 30. IVfc- J. Beecot is handicapper. The handicaps are sealed, and will not be opened till all games are ijlayed. — Standard. Mr M. F. Clouser, of Jersey City, N.J., has acquired a half interest in the Hudson County (N.Y.) Chronicle. His first move— and a ; good one— \va3 to begin a draughts column. The initial column has the following :—": — " Recreation is not only a luxury, but a necessity. 'I he pastimes of people are an index of their character. The most scientific of all games is draughts. It is at once, too, the most beneficial and the most innocent. . . . Lacking the element of chance, it is essentially a non-gambling game — is, in fact, an antidote to the instinct that leads to hazard." An artistic photograph has recently been issued by Messrs Downey and Son'i, South Shields, consisting of a draugths board with a picture of a distinguished player on each of the 82 playable squares. The players appear in alphabetical order, the top row showing Allen, Barker, Beattie, I Bryden ; the bottom, Tescheleit, Tonar, Wyllie, and Yate3. The centre contains Jewitt, M'Call, Martins', and Reed, who are surrounded by Smith, Richmond, Moir, Freeman, &c, the latter, in spite of, or ratber because of, his aboriginal blood, being perhaps the most .distinguished of them all. Anyone having a taste for phrenology should be highly interested in the group ; aud the picture may be pronounced one or the best of Messrs Downey's productions. The price is— Cabinet Is Id, imperial 2s 3d (post free). Obituary. - David Kirkwood, well aud favourably known for the past 30 years in draught circles all over the world, died at hia home ia Maplewood, near Maiden, Mass., on Tuesday, March 25, 1897, from a complication of diseases. He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, 66 years ago. He was a gun-maker, and had worked at his trade in Edinburgh, London, and in Germany before coming to Boston, Mass., in 1872. He was an expert player, and in the books may be found standard play of his, besides numerous problems. He was always greatly interested in the game. Before poming to this country he played draughts in England with a man named Barber for the largest stakes ever played for, and won two of the three games played, the second game being drawn. The stake on each game was £iSO. Mr Kirkwood was a born orator, and his eloquent and brainy speeches at the New England Draughts Association banquets of 1895 an.i 1896 will not i soon be forgotten. He was president of the association at the time of his death. A few months ago he took a trip to Great Britain for his health, and perhaps to take a last* look at the RCBues of his youth and early manhood. At me Grover-Freeman match Providence players remarked that in appearance he was not_ a shaoow of his former virile, healthy self. During his last trip abroad he purchased some rare works pnthe game-a "Payne's Draughts" (1756) and a "PoMner's Draughts " (1819). He contributed much to draughts lit»rature-of late year 3 under the signature " Edina."— Providence Journal. The Jordan-Stewart match is to consist of three sections of 14, 14, and 12 games respectively. In the first section Black is to open with 9 13, 9 14, 10 14, 10 15, 11 15, 11 16, 12 16 ; White is to have choice of reply, and each player is to play both siiies. In the second section Black is to open with 11 15 ; White is to reply with the seven standard oponiDgs in turn, as follows :— 2l 17, 22 17, 22 18. 23 18, 23 19, 24 19, 24 20, and each player is to play both sides. In the third section Black is to open with 9 13, 9 14, 10 14 10 15, 11 16, 12 16" ; White is to have choice of reply, subject to [ the condition that any reply made in the first section shall be barred ; and each player is te play both sides. The latest news is that there was a difference of opinion between Jordan and Stewart on the subject of expenses, but that there was every prospect that the match would be arranged amicably. A Novel Match.— The annual team match Boston v. All New England for the Kirkwood Gold Medal was won by Boston by 17 to 11. There were 20 boards in play. The match was succeeded by a simultaneous contest for a money prize between Mr C. F. Barker and Mr H. Freedman. Both played against the same 10 men, and their respective scores were : — Mr Barker, 3 wins, 7 draws ; Mr Freedman, 5 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses. The question as to which was the better performance was debated for about two hour 3 ; and it was eventually decided that the draws should be counted as equivalent to half-wins. Calculated on this basis, each of the players was credited with 6£ points ; and the purse was equally divided between them.