DRAUGHTS ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2371, 10 August 1899, Page 48

DRAUGHTS ITEMS.

Jordan in Sydney.— Jordan's stay in Sydney seems to have been marked by success, although we have seen no detailed account of his performances as regards totals. We notice by the Sydney Mail Mr Jordan admitted that the players of Sydney gave him a fair show, inasmuch as they played the black and white sides of the game alternately, whereas other players that he had met played the black all through or the white, as their fancy led them, which ha considered an advantage. But, after all, players who did so, we should say, were simply adopting a safety tactic, which is somewhat natural. Of course, players meeting with Jordan should really make the best of their, opportunity fov study, and therefore make the range of speculation or investigation as wide'as possible. But in, the case of players who can' "only 'play two or three games, the main object seems to be to secure a safe draw, and, if Jordan permits it, book games are followed, which,' of course, bring no increase of knowledge to the.-player, although he gets the credit of a flraw- for his money. That is really misusing an opportunity. But, on the' other hand, there were players in Dunedin who complained that Jordan's pertinacity in playing certain openings was very disappointing. And one can hardly blame Jordan either, as he had his record to watch, and ho watched it. Victorian Championship. — Last week information to hand gave the last four players in as Messrs Brown, Divetti, Salmon, and Moore, who were paired to form the third round. Mr F. Salmon met and defeated Mr Divetti by 3 to 0, making the latter player fourth. Messrs F. Brown and J. P. Moore had a hard struggle. This round, says the Leader, was the most in* teresting of the match. In the first six games, unrestricted, Moore scored a win in the Glasgow for the third game, but Brown equalised the scores by winning the fourth game with the black side of the Kelso. The next two games were drawn. A 'second round of six games, the openings bal'^ted from " Robertson's Guide," had then to be contested. The first opening was the " Second Double Corner," and after seme careful play, the game was drawn. In the second game Moore, with the white side, again was the first to score, winning cleverly by some fine end play. As before, however, Brown with great pluck, drew level by winning the next game, a "Laird and Lady," with the white side, and the next " Laird and Lady," after some critical end game play, was also drawn, their scores standing — Brown 2 wins, Moore 2 wins, drawn 6, with 2 games to play. The winner of thi3 "heat will then play Mr JP. Salmon in the final for the championship. More on • Wyllie.— The Glasgow • Weekly Herald describes Mr Wyllie as a queer old man, who was honest to almost the verge of " nearness," and who had.., many strange fads and fancies. He displayed little sympathy with human beings, but every homeless dog or cat was sure of his friendship! If he saw a hungry dog or cat in the street he made at onoe for the nearest butcher's shop and bought for it a pennyworth of food. " Perhaps he had weighed the human beggar in the balance and found him wanting, and preferred to devote his charity in a direction where there is seldom fraud." Jordan in Brisbane. — Mr Jordan, on leaving Sydney on the 18th ult., journeyed to Brisbane, where he was accorded a public welcome, the Mayor presiding, and the attendance including prominent players in Brisbane and suburbs, several members of the Queensland Houses of Parliament, and a large number of represntative citizens. Mr Jordan returns to Melbourne early iv September in time for the town and country match. 'Oamaru Town v. Country. — The Mail suggests that Oamaru players should make an effort to bring about a successful' gathering for the annual town and country" match, and arrange it for the 31st inst. • • Time Limit. — The supporters of Mr Lionel Benson, of London, recently expressed a desire to back him for a fresh match of 20 games with Mr H. Jacob, but with the proviso that the time limit should be fixed at 29 moves per hour. Mr Jacob refused, however, to entertain the idea of playing otherwise than in accordance with the conditions as to time which are embodied in the standard laws of the game.