DRAUGHTS ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2373, 24 August 1899, Page 48

DRAUGHTS ITEMS.

Mr E. G-. Peyton, of Gourock, who was fof* merly English tutor to one of the Royal Princes, is reported to have invented a n«w game at draughts, called " Castlette." The great feature of the invention is that the new game, which is said to be a combination of^cheqa and draughts, cannot be drawn. " The Jjeat player must win absolutely." The Leeds Mercury Supplement points out that to the scientific player the interest in a. game of draughts " lies, not so much in the result as in the strategy required to secuie the result." It is a pleasure to win a, game, but it is a still greater pleasure to draw in a difficult position. This is one of the finest features of the game of draughts. New Style of Blindfold Play.— Recently a small mateh — for refreshments all round — was played between two members of the Bridgeton Club. The stronger player, Mr Buntin, played blindfolded against his opponent, and, to the latter' s utter astonishment, won with ease; 'indeed, fthe celerity Buntin showed marked him out as a blindfold player' of the first water. • During the subsequent adjournment Mr Buntin offeted an explanation of his wonderful performance. ~He had arranged beforehand with two players to occupy a board a " little distance off from where he sat, but still within his view, and as the teller called the moves the play progressed on the two boards simultaneously, Mr Biintin adroitly managing to see beneath the bandage that covered his eyes. The fraud was so simple and so neatly oarried out that everyone not in the know was completely hoodwinked. Two old men in the Islington workhouse were playing draughts, and the chairman, a onelegged man, called them to order. As they paid no attention, he upset the board, and there was a miniature riot. He has been sent to prison for a fortnight. — West Lothian Courier. Discouragement in life, natural tendencies^ to wonder and endeavour to reason events which creep into our existence, are everyday occurrences with most of us. For three years Mr C. F. Barker has been practically isolated from, the general public, and stout-hearted as wo know he is, never permitted the world to examine his method of quiet and seeming repose. It will be remembered Mr Barker's father and mother and brother died within the last three years. There is no need for further comment.—Pittsburg Telegraph. The Aberdeen Free Press says: — It is evident Harry Freedman possesses in fine combination the keen acuteness peculiar to the Jew and the steady, cautious sagacity of the Scot. He is 21 years of age. Mr J. Milne.— Mr Milne, of Gore, who has been an inmate of the Dunedin Hospital for some time past, proceeded home on Monday last. He has not yet-recovered the sight of his injured eye, but hopes are entertained for its ultimate restoration. Although he was prohibited from reading in the hospital, he played draughts against all comers. He literally "kept an eye " on the board, and mostly conceded^ hia opponents a man, sometimes two. " But," he remarked, in conversation, " there were some exciting finishes." The " Edinburgh " Opening.— The " Edinburgh " opening certainly does not lead to a strong game for the first player, but to state it is a loss is absurdity itself. Yet we know of two members of the English International team who hold that opinion, which they have not accompanied, however, by any figures. It is not the first time that doubt has been cast on the soundness of well-known openings by players who are supposed to know better. Mr W. Beattie, when annotating the games for this paper, played in the English National Tournament of 1885, referred to the " Double Corner "■ a3 " an exceptionally weak opening " for Blaclr, and deprecated its adoption in important contests*; yet several years later he did not hesitate to nominate the opening in his match against Searight, of Glasgow, evidently having reconsidered his former opinion. — Manchester Weekly Times. Combined Match. — There is a rumour to the effect that a, combined match Wyndham-Wood-lands v. Gore-Mataura may be arranged this season. It should create great interest if brought about. New Zealand Championship Tourney. — The secretary of the Dunedin committee of the New Zealand Draughts Association gives notice of a meeting of the general committee at 8.30 p.m. on Thursday, 31st inst., in Hilliker's Saloon, Princes street ; also meeting of the finance committee same evening at 8 o'clock to receive balance sheet, etc.