DRAUGHTS ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2671, 24 May 1905, Page 62

DRAUGHTS ITEMS.

Superior Acumen! — An American writer says: — "I take occasion to assert that the higher powers of the intellect are more decidedly and more usefully tasked by the unostentatious game of draughts than by all the elaborate frivolity of chess. In this latter, where the pieces have different and bizarre motions, with various and variable values, what is only complex is mistaken (a not unusual error) for what is profound. The attention is here called powerfully into play. If it flag for an instant an oversight is committed, resulting in injury or defeat. The possible move being not only manifold but involute, the chances of such oversights are multiplied; and in nine cases out of 10 it is the more concentrative rather than the more acute player who conquers. In draughts, on tho contrary, the moves are unique," and have but little variation, the probabilities of inadvertance are diminished, and the mere attention being left comparatively unemployed, what advantages are obtained by either party are obtained by superior acumen." The New York Clipper points out that players should make it a point in all off-hand contests to try and do their best. Then, in, case of an occasion arising, they wall not find much difficulty in severe and serious play. How is it possible to play in a careless and haphazard -way most of the time, and to "get down to Tiarel tacks' just when it is necessary? The only way to play good match or tournament games is to cultivate the habit of seriousness across the board."