DRAUGHTS ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2412, 24 May 1900, Page 52

DRAUGHTS ITEMS.

Messrs J. A. Boreham and J. Gardiner ara both almost certain contestants in the Town v. Country match this week.

The following additional entries for the Town v. Country match has been received up to Monday last: — J. Duncan, Eweburn"; J. Hutton, Ravensbourne ; W. Carr, J. Fyfe, W. Reid, W. Marshall, Dunedin.

The Town team is almost certain to suffer a crushing defeat this year, but even that may have a> beneficial effect all round.

In Game 5969 in last issue, played between two Dunedin players, we noted where White haJ a win in a few moves at a certain stage, note T. The players responsible for the game write that a transposition of the moves in writing down allowed this — it was not so playedj At 37th move game proceeded 38, 18 14, 11 16, 14 10, 8 11 — now same as game at 42nd move. It was their own error.

In London draughts circles considerable interest has been excited 'by the performances of a youth named W. Young. In an amateur tor.rney at the London Draughts Club, he de^" feated Mr Allerston and Mr Carruthers with, cemparative ease, and he is regarded as certain to reach the final lound. A match for a small stake was arranged between him and Mr Aileiston, the conditions being that the match should be for the best of 16 restricted games, aud that eacli of the players should name an opening in alternation.

_ The death was recently announced of Mr John Segar, one of the leading Liverpool supporters of the game of draughts. He was the fouadcr. of the St. James Cinb, and also of the Eveiton Club, and he took a most lively interest in the various matches and tourneys played in Liverpool. He died" of pneumonia at the early ago of 39.

In speaking of the publication of the second edition of the " British Draughts Player," the Leeds Mercury says:— lt may not be generalKknown, but the "British Draughts Plajer'"' was originated by the late W. Strickland, the celebrated blindfold champion, of Leeds, and the nist parts oi the woik appeared by instalments in the columns of the Leeds Mercury Weekly Supplement in^the early eighties. Tho lamented death of Mr Strickland hefore he hail completed his plans left a magnificent, conception unfinished. Mr ftould iiequired t^ie copyright of the work, and with the able assistance of such masters of the jiariio as Willis Gardner, F. Tescheleit, J. Tonar, J. 11. Bailey, .etc., completed the work on the original lines.

- The following amusing little 'incident between two amateurs, whom I will call Green and Brown, occurred in a club match, when at the time to cease play they had noli, finished their gi'irie. The position was taken down, to be fli.ished next aaght. They duly 'met, and the positioti was set by Green. " That's ib," said Bicwn, ond play was commenced, C4reen, however, eventually winning, and depaiting joyfully homeward. " Confound it," said. Brcwn, " I reckoned I had the best of the game, and how did I come to lose ii?" After lesetting the position, he shouted, ' I have it. He played my man, and I played his." Such was the case. Green had inadvertently (?) set the position the wrong way. Query : Can. Brcwn claim to replay the ending?— Leed^ Mercury.

The most artistic chess and checker board ever produced is said to be that designed and executed by Professor Van Hier, of the School of Art, New Bond street, London. It formed a unique wedding present for the Marquis of Bourbon, who was married May 21, 1899. Eveiy second square is a beautifully-finished oil paintinsr, every picture a different subject, and, the exquisitely fine work of the professor is much in evidence. The board is 30in square. The detail work is exceedingly beautiful, and iirv olved a period of three months in execution. It was one of the most valuable of the marquis's wedding presents, costing no less than 250gs.

Collingwoccl (Vie.) Draughts Club. — The annuil meeting of the Collingwood Draughts Club wus held in the club rooms, Collingwood Town Hall, on Thursday, April- 26, Mr J. C. Carter, vice-president, in the chair. The chairman, in moving the adoption of the balance sheet and report, referred to the successful j'ear the club had experienced. He was pleased to see that they wore starting the new year with a credit balance of 18s 6d. He was also pleased to congratulate the members upon their winning the premiership of the Victorian Draughts Association for the fifth year in succession, and being unbeaten at present in the competition for the premiership of 1900. In conclusion, he said the outlook of the club was particxilarly* , bright, and he felt certain that the members^ would meet with the same success as they had experienced during the past year.— Times.

Boroham v. Brodie. — An Oamaru contemporary, speaking of the Boreham-Brodie inateh, distinctly conveys the idea that a match was talked of and would have been arranged but foj Brodie. This is entirely wrong. Th' match was arranged and was to have taken place in Dunedin on Brodie' s arrival fxoni th& so.uth, but Boreham was called home, and another date could not then be fixed.