THE SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIP. END-GAMES DRAUGHTS ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2660, 8 March 1905, Page 70

THE SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIP.

END-GAMES

DRAUGHTS ITEMS.

The thirteenth annual tournament to decide the Scottish Draughts Championship commenced on Monday, January 2, in the City Hall, Glasgow, the proceedings being opened by Dr Garey, president of the " Scottish Draughts Association, who madis reference to the forthcoming International match, Britain v. America, as perhaps the greatest event in the history of the game. This year's entry of 2S beats the previoiis best, which was 26, and with the exception of Stewart fKelty) and Jordan (Edinburgh), includes the strongest players in the country. For the past two years the competition has been open to the world, bxit this year it is confined to the home players. There were 12 heats in the first round, and four byes, two of the strongest of the players, Ferric and Scott, of Glasgow, being fortunate enough to be among the latter. The following shows th"e~ players and their scores in each round: —

— First Round. — .

Wins. Draws. Wins. 3 Burns „, . 1 Bradea „ ». 0 3 Taylor .. .. 1 Mair .. 1 1 Searight „ 5 Bonar „, „' 0 3 Henderson „ 2 Robb „', „ 0 2 Brown .. «_,, 5 Jackson .. r . 1 2 Battersby .» 5 Lov-e X •• 1 2 Scobbie.. „ 3 O'Connor .. ni . 0 3 M'Csfferty „ 2 Murray 4*. 0 2 Bradley .. 3 M'Ewan A .T 1 2 Calder'vood .. 3 Wilson ... ,t, t 0 3 Buchanan. .. 2 Ballantyne 0 & Brydcn „ .. 4 Holmes „, .. 2 —Second Round'. — Wni3. Draws. Wins. 2 Searight .. 3 M''George.. .. 1 1 Buchanan rf 5 Ferrio •• «. 0 2 Henderson .., 5 Lambie .., i. 1 3 M'Caffeity „' 7 Calderwood -.. 2 3 Scobbie .-. 1 Taylor .. '^. 0 2 Brown „, 2 Battersby* £. 0 2 Scott, „ .-. 3 Bryden .. ' 1 3 Burns „ .. l Bradley i 2 *Batersby retired. —Third Round.—. Wins. Draws. Wins. 1 Buchanan .. 5 Brown -„- .. 0 3 Scobbie.. .. 1 Scott .-.j '.. 1 1 Henderson .. 7 Burns .. 3,, 0 3 Searight .. 1 M'Caiterty, M . 0 •— Scini-fmal. — Wins. Draws.. Wing, 2 Buchanan „_,, 3 " Seaiight «* t , 1 3 Henderson .. 1 Scobbie .«, Q — Final.— - Wins. Draws. Wins, 1 Buchanan .. 5 Henderson .. 0 Buchanan thus won the championship and fl prize of £20, Henderson getting £10, Scobbie and Searight £5 each. Jt is now 10 years since Buchanan first reached the final stage, when, as the "Glasgow Prodigy," he was defeated bv_ Robert Steward .a jcla^er who, haj

held the honour no fewer than five times. Buchanan again figured in the finals in 1902 and 1903, his cor.querois being respectively Stewart and Ferric.* On the present occasion Buchanan showed grand form in all his ties, and out of '29 contested games he lost only one. He is practically ceitain of being selected for the international match against the United States.

White — Buchanan

Biack — Henriterson, to play. The above was the ending of the game in the final heat that decided the championship. It admits of a remarkably neat drpw by *11 16, 2 11. 23 18, 24 19. etc., drawn. Henderson overlooked this, and lost as follows ■ — 23 18 24 19, 18 23, 19 16. 23 19, 16 12, 19 16, 2 6 1G 19, 12 8, etc., White wins. White — Buchanan.

Black — Ferric, to play,

This was the ending or the game that lost Feirie the championship. It admits of a neat draw by "10 14, 31 26, 22 31, 24 20, 31 24, 20 11, 8 15, 28 10, 12 16. *10 6. 2 9, 3 7, 4 8, 7 2, 8 12, 2 6, etc., drawn. Ferric nlayed 10 15, and lest, as follows:— 10 15, 31 26. 22 31, 24 20,_ 31 21, 28 10, and Biack lesigned.

The N.Z. Championship Tourney. — We have had quite a number of inquiries 1 regarding this year's championship event, and regies iliat we can tender no information. BuL it la evident ihat unless the work has already been taken vigorously in hand, it is a rn-at-t-er of inrcossihiiity to promote a successful gathering lor At>ril 21.

A great inter-league match, London v. Manchester, was arranged, to conic off at Manchester on Stituiday, February 11. 'llis ccntest should be a very interesting one as testing the relative merits cf London v. provincial p-ayers. The game has made gigantic strides m the metropolis during the pasb few rears. anJ. the new league, it is said, can cut a Doweriul tsanr in j tho field.