Criticism. PROBLEM 1839

Otago Witness, Volume 02, Issue 2420, 2 August 1900, Page 53

Criticism. PROBLEM 1839

For the sake oi readier reference we append a diagram of this much-discussed position. We should be obliged if correspondents in sending play would please write it out in columns of equal length.

[White.]

[Black.] Black tc y,

Mr K. Stevenson, Skippers, contributes the following analysis: — 16 2,) 9 5 27 31 5 n 18 11 24 39 24 27-2 1 5" 27 18 925 20 T4-1 5 1 31 27-3 19 15 Drawn 0) 16 £0 23 19 23 18 15 26 22 37 10 24 J9 31 26 9 5-A £7 31-C 913 25 22 ?2 26 ]6 12 20 24 5 !) 22 £9 16 11 19 36 20 23 5 1 31 2 13 17 38 23 26 31 19 16 24 27 29 25 29 25 12 S 'iheii 23 19, 10 14, drawn. (2) 22 26 31 26 23 18 28 32 22 IP-E 15 6 19 lfi-D 15 10 16 11 15 9 >3 13 M 2H 31 26 23 24 28 18 22 '18 15-F 2 U 23 19 J9 16 5 1 5 9 11 7 17 1 Drawn (3) 31 26 21 14 26 10 16 12 15 11 5 9 22 25 19 16 2 7 23 19 14 17 29 22 10 35 9 6 Drawn (a) Forms position: — Black: 2, 4, 14, 20, X 18 ; White : 5, 12, 16, 21, 29. If Black can win, I think it is from here the win must be shown. For Black's next move 2 7 looks promising, but White diaws, thus: — 2 7 £9 25 18 ?5 6 2 b 10 15 5 1 24 27 16 7 10 6 10 £0 24 25 22 25 22 2 6 Drawn (b) 6 10, 14 18, 10 3, 4 8, B. wins. (c) 18 22, 5 9, 14 18, 9 13, 18 23, 21 17, 22 18, 13 9, 27 31 (or 3 7), 17 14, 18 22, I 13, drawn. (d) 29 25 also draws. (c) 14 18 no better.

(f) 18 22, or 32 27, also draws.

" Czar" writes: — I should like to have a cut at the renowned British commander-in-chief, " Bobs," and I think when all the spare forces not now taking part in the Chinese trouble are allied to " Kruger's " scattered forces, we shall mobilise and force " Bobs " to offer terms to us on this great question. Here is a trek which will compel "Bobs" once more to'resoit to his anaimimtion box. We will pick kiin up on a kopje denoted by the letter (i?), where the situation is:— Black: 4, 7, 18; 22, king 24; White : 12, 16, 21, 29, king 9. Now let us try a flanking move, thus : — 9 6, -24 20, 69, 20 11, 9 14, and I fancy 1 can hear " Bobs " ringing up the War Office for " more men." — Czar.

"Bobs" writes: — Mr Brodie is right that note (c) in my play is intended for 5 1, and "'Bobs" cannot show a B. win here; but at note (b), a move earlier, instead of Black playing 2 7, try 26 23, then 19 16, and now 2 7 for Black. This restores the former position. Can the critics show a draw after this? If so,

" Bobs " will try another ; but until they show a 'forced draw fo; White I shall rest on this variation. I snay be in town next week, and play it across the board with some of them.

Ec <- Kruger," he is still of the opinion that . flic position is a draw, but his play is very weak foi Black, like setting up a straw man and knocking him down. The fifth move cf his play is weak, for instead of 24 27, try 22 26 after 95 is moved here. I cannot do better -than refer him to " Tommy Atkins, both j here and in Africa. As it should be, T. A. comes to the help of " Bobs."