DRAUGHTS ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2396, 1 February 1900, Page 52

DRAUGHTS ITEMS.

L. M. Steams is' reported as a busy, luistlins New Englander. He is a shoemaker and breeder oi fancy chickens. He has published a large number of checker books of different kinds and is collecting material for more. ' Willie Gardner. — A recent blindfold performance given by Willie Gardner at the Holbeck Liberal Club was witnessed by a good and appreciative audience. The champion played 10 games simultaneously, and at the finish he repeated the moves of all the games in quick succession. He had the Black side in the first five games, and the Whites in the others. The time occupied by the whole exhibition was only about two hours and three-quarters — a smart performance.

Druminond's Third Edition.— Messrs J. A. Kear and Son have brought out the first number of the " Reprint of the Scottish Draughts Player," third edition. Really, the work is a revision of Drummond's most popular book and Mr Kear, jun., who has undertaken the revision, has performed his task in a painstaking ani highly creditable manner. As in the " Kear Edition " of " Drummonot's Second," so in this the position at the opening of each." of the leading variations is illustrated by mean 3 of small diagrams, which obviate any necessity, for playing up the previous portion of the game. The printing for the most part has been done by Messrs Kear, and is very clear and distinct. We have only noted one error in this part, and that is probably a misprint. Var. 3.F. is a Black win as given by Drummondl not a^draw. Many consider "Drummond's Third " the most interesting of his compilations, and we recommend our readers to procure copies of this edition, in which the play is transposed and arranged according to accepted ideas. — J. A. Kear and Son, 5 Beaumont street, Bristol (4d monthly). Liverpool Championship.— ln the third round, of the contest for the Liverpool Championship, Cain met Morrall, and the result of the first sitting was one win to Morrall and two games drawn. At the next sitting Cain scored the first game played, and the next ended in a draw. In the following game Morrall was called to time, and, failing to make his move before the expiration of another minute, his, opponent was awarded the game, the heat, ending — Cain 2, Morrall 1, drawn 3. Cain and Nixon had then to play off in the final, and as was expected after the defeat of Mr Morrall, the Liverpool- championship was once more won by Mr Cain, his score in the final with Mr Nixon being — Cain 3, Nixon nil, drawn 1. Morrall, says the Liverpool Mercury, " was distinctly unfortunate in losing upon a technicality, and we are sure Mr Cain would have preferred to fight out the heat. Under the rules, he had no option, as when his opponent unduly delayed to make his move he was obliged to enforce the penalty, which in this case was the forfeiture o£ the game. Mr Cain takes the title and first prize, and the second prize goes to Mr Nixon."' The death of the Hon. J. D. Janvier removes another of those famoiis individuals who have done much for checkers. As an analyst, Mr Janvier was devoted, diligent, and persevering; his edition of Anderson was considered one of the best checker treatises ever compiled. • Mr Janvier was 61 yearrf of age.

The 1899 checker necrology list will contain many names of individuals who were prominent in the affairs of the game. It seem 3 strange that James Wylie, James Lfees, and J. D. Janvier should pass to eternity within a few months of each other.

Mr J. L. Steams is the " Kear " of American draughts literature. In addition to the publication of the " North American Checker Board," he has always something else on hand, anu ins " jjook or j. ori.jvii,s, \ois. 1 and 2, of I'anioxis checkerists is> _really a grand work, and had met with an extensive sale. He is now engaged upon the prodtiction of a third volume. C. F. Barker, the American champion, has charge of a two-page checker department in the Arrerican Whist Player, published at Boston, Mass.

The Time Limit. — No one has accented Mr R. Atwell's challenge to play a match under the new time rule. Mr A. Jordan has agreed to play under the new rule' in his contest with Mr Atwell for the Wanderers' championship. Play probably commenced on Tuesday last. Pillsbury v. Pomeroy. — A checker match between M. E. Pomeroy and H. N. Pillsbury at Philadelphia was concluded on September 29, 1899. Score: Pomeroy 3, Pillsbury 0, drawn 5. The conditions of the match were that the time limit should be 20 moves per hour, and that the match should be terminated when either player won three games. The match was played in four different days. Following is a summary of the score. (P*illsbury moved first in odd-numbered games) : — 1. Ayrshire Bristol Drawn. 2. Second Double Corner .. Drawn. 3. Double Corner Drawn. 4. Cross Pomeroy won. 5. Whilter .«, Pomeroy won. 6. Cross .. Drawn. 7. Bristol Cross Drawn. 8. Second Double Corner .. Pomeroy won. In October, 1897, Pomeroy and Pillsbury played three games, all drawn. In November, 1898, they played 11 games, Pillsbury winning one and ten being drawn. The total score now is — Pomeroy 3, Pillsbury 1, drawn 18. Solutions to Problems. Problem 1664 (By W. Dunn).— Black meu on 1, 10, I], 17, 18. IS. kins; 15; white men on 21, 27, 32, kings on 9, 8. 26. Black to move and win. ~*

Problem 16G5 (By W. Bell). -Black on 12, king 3 16, 18 ; White 8, 11, 20, king 17. White to pay and win.

(a) 18 25, 8 3, White wins. " WIDS " Problem 1665 (By W.DuNN).~Black on 2 3 4 7, 10, 21, king*, 16, 27 ; White men on 12, 18 22 2£ 29, 30, kings 1, 17. Black to play and win

30 23 10 15 ID 11 27 18 £2 15 4 H 11 4 16 11a 2 6 11Q

.7 22 .6 7-A 22 15 7 11 75 19 11 i 20 lfi 4 8 19 15 12 19 15 24 8 11

.7 sa »6 17 18 22 17 20 10 14 SI 18 15 24 S 15 24 28 ]5 24 28 19 B. wins,