DRAUGHTS ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2541, 26 November 1902, Page 58

DRAUGHTS ITEMS.

Otago Draughts Club. — There was a good at* tendance at the club last Saturday night, the number including several visitors, who engaged in play. The club some time ago purchased * regulation set of chessmen, which are much appreciated by some of the members, as there are a few pretty strong chess players in tho Club. Mr R. Caldow (vice-president) presented the club with an excellent wooden board, regulation size, for the chess, and on this the "variety" figures were kept going, Mr Larking playing all comers A sonorous yet triumphant "Check!" was heard occasionally, which, prompted an onlooker, with infant-innocence, to ask, "What have you to say that for?" His only answer was anofhei "Check!" as a piece with an aggressive attitude was dumped on. its square of territory. It was announced during the evening that the annual meeting will be held next Saturday evening in the club room, at which the attendance of every member is requested. Mr W. Greaves, proprietor of the County Forum Hotel, Market street, Manchester, a. well-known patron df the game for over 20 years past, is promoting an open Lancashire tournament, and has offered £20 in prizes to be played for — viz., First prize, JE10; second, £Z 10s; third, £2; fourth, £1; and four other prizes of 153 each. The following note ana remarks from ta« Leeds Mercury show that almost everywhere something has to be done to prevent-^-or at any rate to minimise — possible collusion in tournament play — Judging by the list of entries, the "Hodgson" Tourney at the Leeds Club promises to be a big succe'a. It is an "all-round" "scratch" competition, for cash prizes of about £27 Each competitor will contest eight games with all the others. Two points will ba awarded to the winner of each match ; in the event of a "tie," one point each will be scored. In previous competitions two points have been awarded for each won game, and one point for a draw. Contests on these lines are open to the suspicion of collusion, in that one player may lo.se all his games to a favoured friend, and play as if life depended on't against all other competitors. A present of 16 points in such a manner might possibly determine th» destination of the first prize. As a rule, committees are strongly opposed to these "brotherly" arrangements between competitors, and the julea adopted in the "Hodgson" tourney, are intended to nullify such as much as possible. Wylliana. — Many reminiscences have been published of the "Herd Laddie." The following is contributed by William Reid, the Ayrshire draughts champion: — "The first time I met Wyllie was in MauchHne (my native town), in 1872. We played a match of ten games, and! tho result was the ' Herd Laddie ' 3, Reid 1, and 6 draws. The match was witnessed by all the leacUng men in the village, including Mr Jaa. Fairley, the parish minister, and Mr Mitchell, the parish teacher and registrar. Everybody in the village was on the gui vive to see the fight between the champion and the young aspirant. Nothing else could have been expected than that I should be defeated, but the closeness of the contest caused considerable remark. I played Wyllie twice afterwards, and the ■* Herd Laddie ' never scored. In a walk from TarbcUoTi. coming down Blackhill brae, someone said, ' First up the hill and home.' W» nil started, and, although Mr Wyllie was by far the oldest man of the lot, he beat us all, »ncl was standing at the foot of the street waiting for us at the finish." I may add to this thatr during his visit to Australia, -while the matchi between him and Mr Robert Mar was in progress. I had the pleasure of a long chat -witH Mr Wyllie. I find in my notebook the following remark of his-— "When I am playing a big mateh — and this match with Mr Mar is » big one, I can tell you— l always walk for hours eieiz 4»j. The ejerciw fetes* &

fhysical condition, and keeps the brain clear, am a teetotaller and I do not smoke. In fact, I detest tobacco. Lots of people think me Bur.ly at times, but I am hard of hearing, and have a difficulty in catching what strangers Bay to me. I can understand some people very well. I have always baen sound irr wind and limb, and as a young fellow was a good runner for. an amateur." I once met Mr Wyllie some distance outside Brisbane, steaming along a country road under a sweltering sun. He wore a big woollen comforter, round his neck, and carried a heavy stick of English oak. He was doing a four-hour walk, and was to play Mr Mai that evening. The suit of thick tweed he had on would have protected him from the rigours of a Scotch winter.