DRAUGHTS MATCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2523, 23 July 1902, Page 63

DRAUGHTS MATCH.

CHAMPION v. EX-CHAMPION.

An important draughts match for a purse of sEIOO was commenced in the Otago Chess Club's rooms on Monday morning at 9.30, the contestants being Messrs James Gardinei, of Gore, present champion of New Zealand, and D. A. Brodie, of Dunediu, a foimer holder of the title. An unusual amount of interest was manifested in the contest, the capacity of the room being severely taxed. Mr H. Montgomery, of Port Chalmeis, is referee, and Messrs R. Stevenson and J. A. Scott are the timekeepers for Biodie and Gardiner respectively. The following are the details of the play. —

First Game. — Final details being settled, Gaidiner won. the '•oes for nominat.on, and named tho " Second Double Corner. ' This is generally acknowledged a.« a weak opening for the White side, which Brodie had to play. He adopted the line designated by Americans the " 1814 bust," which evolves some peculiarly deacatc positions for both sides, but al the came time gives White a good defence. The difficult nature of the play was exemplified in the course of the first hour, when it was observed that Gardiner had worked into a •weak position, from which he <ould not epcape ■without sacrifice The position was.as followb Black men on 3, 5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 16, 20; White men on 13, 14, 18, 21, 23, 21, 26, 27. Bkck to piay, and the game continued: — 11 15, 18 11, 9 IS, 23-14, 6 10, 14 7, 3 10, IX 8, 10 15, 26 22, 1G 19, 22 16, and, after a protracted ending Exodift won. This concluded the repming sitting.

Second Game. — For the second game Gardiner had to take the White side of the same opening. At an oarlv stage Brodie made an exchange which gave White the labouring oar, Tjiit Gardiner, playing carefully, piloted hi? pieces safely to the .'©Mowing stage —Black men on 10, 12, 14, 15, 20; AVhite men on 19, 21,-22. 23, PI. Wh:te to play.— 31 26, 15 24, 22 18, 24 27, 18 9, T 3}, 2G 22, 31 27, 22 18, 10 14, and in a few moves thf game was drawn.

Third Game. — Foi the third game BicJJe had to nominate an opening, and on lcsuining play at 7 o'clock he an-iounced the " Dyke " (a stcne wall, a characteristic of this opening heing a straight line of pieces). The game pioceeded slowly along somewhat familiar lines until mid-game, when th>" following position ■was developed —Black men on 2, 3, 6. 10, 15, 23, White men on 11, 13, 17. 21, 24, 28- White (Gardiner? to play. The gan,e proceeded — 2-1 IQ, 15 24, 08 19, 25 30. 17 U, 10 17, 21 14, SO 26, 19 IG, 2C 22. 1(3 12. 23 IS, 119, 18 14, 9 5, 14 10, 11 8, 10 7, j ], G 10, 8 4. 10 13, 1 6, 2 9. 13 6, 7 11 and it was relinquished as a dipw. Score- Brodie 1, Gardinei 0.

This concluded pljy foi the p\"i:in°. The xnptch was continued next mornmg a*. 9 30.

Secckd Day,

Play in the match was resumed on Tuesday morning at 9.30, and it was observed that the nervous tension of the first da}' had disappeared, and both playere seemed quite happy.

Fourth Game. — Gardiner, with the Black Fide started the second '"Dyke" game, and it developed bri&kly, in marked contrast to the play of Mondjv, which dragged a\oiig most painfull}'. In less than 15 minutes the game had reached this stage — Black men on 1,2, 7, 10, 14, 20; White men on 17, 19, 21, 22. 27. 31. Black had to play, and in about seven minutes the game wa% drawn. Time, 20min.

Fifth Game. — This game brought Gardiner's second nomination, and he declared the "Denny." Before many moves were made it •was apparent that a big struggle was on, and Gardiner moved only at call of time. Brodie, at an early stage, made a weak move, and Gardiner was evidently intent on making the most of it. After nearly an hour's play there were still 10 men a-side on the board. The following position shows a critical stage of the game —Black men on 1, 2, 5, 7, 10. 15, 18, 20 ; White men on 9, 13, 14, 22, 25, 28, 30, 31. with White to play. From this stage Gardiner's hold tightened, until, after an hour and a-half's play, Brodie resigned, with seven men each on the board.

Score- Brodie 1, Gardiner 1, drawn 3, and 19 games to play.

Sixth Game.— The second "Denny" was started in the afternoon, Brodie having the Black men. Play was kept on safe lines, and produced nothing sensational. When the game •was well advanced Brodie surprised some of the onlookers by giving two for one, and then two for two, leaving him a man down, but with a strong position. This is indicated by tfce following position ■ — Black men on 1, 2, 5. 6, 12, 23; "White men on 13, 14, 17, 21, 29, 30, 31. "White to play; 30 25, 12 16, and Gardiner judiciously returned the piece by 13 9. The game proceeded long enough to prevent another game being opened during the afternoon.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Hanapouei. — Thanks for enclosure. Always pleased to hear from you. No ; nothing definite has been done about the tourney, in fact, no further move has been made in the matter.

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