DRAUGHTS ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2685, 30 August 1905, Page 62

DRAUGHTS ITEMS.

Tho Disuights World.— The feature of Hie July number of tbe Draughts- "World is an able and critical review of tbe new book" ''Scientific D»-at-gLts." The iisual departir*nt9 cf this most interesting monthly are well >ip to the high average of previous issues. Mr Bryson favours 'his leaders with, soma racy nctrs o.i his American trip. We have bad inquiries fo.- this magazine frequently by players who want to paxicure it. J!h© difficulty with icany country residents is tho question of sending the money Borne, as in many cases a money order cannot be obtained. To overcome this difficulty we shall be piea-setl to receive the price in postal notes and remit by money order to Mr Bryson. Price, including menev order, will bs ss. Anyono attending to this now could have their order S6n6 Hems by next San Francisco mail, and subscubers can always dep&nd on receiving their magazines regularly. The annual match, London North v. South, usually a big event, was played on Saturday, Hay 6, but was not up to its record, only some 15 players aside participating. Tho South won by 36 to 15, with 16 games drawn. W. Scott won a game from H. Jacob on the top board: A. Jordan won a game from Gallon ; and Strudwick won a game from. R.. T. Ward. At Johannesburg, South Africa, Mr J. Truelufe, of the 2nd Cameron Highlanders, recently gstve an exhibition of simultaneous play at the V.M.C.A. Conducting games 011 18 boards, he played a total of 29, of which he won 16. lost five, and eight were drawn. Hariy Pillsbury has become a frequent visitor as- local headquarters (says the Boston Herald), and engages the talent at play. After a little checker playing, he visited chess headquarters to fill an engagement. He contested simultaneously 26 boards, of which he- won 16, lost five, and drew five. He will soon leave his native State for Philadelphia, his present home, where ho is conducting the Inquirer checker and chess department. He is looking aa well as evei, and shows no ill-effects of his recent operation. Mr E. L. Benson, the well-known English expert and international player, who has not been much heard of lately, has just baen called to the Bar. Mr E. L. Benson first came into prominence as a diaughts player in 1897, when 19 years cf age, by his successful play with the l.ite Mr R. Martins, which culminated in a match of 10 games, unrestricted', Benson receiving the odds of one sjame start. The score was. — Martms, 2; Benaon, 2 (including the gam© start) ; and 6 draws. Mr Benson immediately took his place in the front rank of players. He was a, competitor in the English championship tourney at Liverpool, 1898, when he defeated H. Morrall, but fell to A. Jordan. He made a level score in the international match, at Glasgow tho following year; and again, entered for the English championship in the tourney held in, London in 1900, defeating Willie Holmes in the first round, only to succumb to A. Hyntl ultimate winnea) in the second. He haa also held the London championship; and was one of the 18 selected players from, which, the five international players were finally chosen to represent England in the recent match with, America. — Leeds Mercury Supplement. A gentleman who made himself very agreeable during the international match, says the Draughts World, was Mr A. W. Valentine, wholesale cigar merchant, Rock Island, 111. A player of some ability, he watched the contest with much interest, and was not slow in noting when a game was lost where a draw might have sufficed. He has a special brand of cigars he designates the "Old Fourteenth,"on the box-label of which the opening rnovo is beautifully diagrammed in black and gold. It is a favourite with himself and draughts players in the States. He generously presented a, box of these cigars to the British team, and they were much enjoyed, and pronounced good. Another box was sent over the water to the enthusiasts on this side of the "Pond," but a. "fairy" tale has gathered arouncD it, which we rnay_ tell *oine otheS day*