Solvers and Their Criticisms.

Otago Witness, Issue 2399, 22 February 1900, Page 52

Solvers and T heir Criticisms.

(From Canterbury Times.)

1654 (No. 12 in Otago Witness Tourney) ; motto: "Dum spiio epero " ; two nioves; kty, R-K B.~ Key very bad, cutting off Black X's only flight square; only two variations, and a lot of waste biack force (35). Alfordian, Christchurch. — Key too easy; would be moved in ordinary play; it cuts off X's flight square, and spoils the problem; mates are economical, but none pure (48). Argo, Maori Pa, Kaiapoi. — Obvious first move ; crowded position ; pawns R 4, Xt 5, and Q 7 of no use; mates by Xt pietty (60). Tertius, Kaiapoi. — Easy, bad key, taking away X's only flight square; two mates, not pure; duals, some of Black forces idle; very poor problem (40). G\ F. W. — Weak problem; no variety; several Black pieces unnecessary; no flight square; 021 c mate economical, but not clean (36). J. L. Power, Wharau, Carterton. — A poor two-mover ; bad key, taking away X's only flight (50). S. S., Lincoln Road. — Key inartistic, cuts off Black's only flight square ; variety and economy wanting ; Black force inactive (20). F. Woodford, Linwood. — Key cuts off flight square, leaving B only to defend; 7 Black pieces and 1 White piece are de trop (50). F. C. L., Waimata Valley.—Also solved by G. H. Rodmell, Christchurch.

1655 (No. 13 in Otago Witness Tourney); motto: "Fair play"; two mo\ r es; key, Kt-K. — Difficult and pretty key ; nice mates by discovery, and good pins; a recurring dual, after several of R's nioves, is a blemish (79). Alfordian. — Good key, giving extra flight square; fair variety; no punty; free from duals (70). G-. F. W. — Deeply-hidden key ; splendid strategy ; mates beautiful, though not pure or quite economical'; beautifully constructed and economical problem (90). J. L. Power. — A good key; fair construction; duals after 11 moves (65). S. S. — Iley good; concedes one flight square; mate after R x P eh pretty; other variations good ; 3? on li 6 prevents dual when R moves; purity and variety fair (80). F. Woodford. — Key subtle; four pure mates; problem weakened by two duals and by blocking of Black B (70). F. C. L.— [No mate is pure.— Chess Editor]. — Also solved by G. H. Rodmell.

1656 (No. 14 111 Otago Witness Tourney) , motto: "Vi ct armis"; two moves: key, P-K 4.— The key cuts off the X's three flight squares, which lrf very bad; there are endless duals (20). Alfordian. — Key too strong and cms off thiee flight squaies; no pure mate; several dual and two quadruple moles; two economical mirrors; idle Black pieces (85). Argo. — Poor key, cuts off three flight squares : aiterplay spoiled by duals; Ron X X appears useless (60). Tertius. — Veiy bad key, taking away three flight squares; simple mates; not pure; full of duals; Black forces idle; very poor problem (40). G. F. W. — Only two mates; none clean or economical ; poor variety ; Black R a superfluous piece (50). J. L. Power. — A poor problem, cutting oft all flight squares from Black King; numerous duals (50). S. S. — Key shocking, cutting off three flight squares and bringing II and B into play; Black pieces idle; duals frequent ; variety not in proportion to force used (15). F. Woodfoid. — Key cuts off two flight squares and blocks X; no pure mates; R and B superfluous pieces (50). F. C. L. — Also solved by G. H. Rodmell.

1657 (No. 15 in Otago Witness Tourney) ; motto: '"Lochabcr '; two moves. Author's solution (Q-R 7) received from Aliordian, Argo, Tcitiu". G. i\ V\ r ., J. L. Power, S. S., G-. E Eiodmell, F. Woodford. Accidental solution (Xt x Xt eh) received from Alfordian, Argo, Teitms, G. F. W., S. S., G. H. Rodmell, F. C. L.