DRAUGHTS ITEMS

Otago Witness, Issue 2785, 31 July 1907, Page 67

DRAUGHTS ITEMS

Otago Club Problem-solving Competition.-* At the Otago Club last Saturday evening thm first sight-solving competition ever Leld in* New Zealand eventuated. The problems were prepared by Mr Boreham, and oreated keen, interest. Mr Boreham, however, set up tool high a standard, and only one of the six problems was solved, Messrs Matheson and! Keenan securing that honour. All others were wrong. A number of players were very, reluctant to enter the competition —some refused altogether, and then repented when tocl late. That, however, is not likely to occuu' again, as all agreed that it was a mosfl pleasant and profitable evening. The value of - such a contest as a training in crossboard! study can only be appreciated by trying it. The method- adopted- waa as follows:—MrBoreham had his problems on diagrams, and) numbered 1 to 6. The competitors each b«o) a board and men, and the position of m problem was placed as the numbers were read out. When Mr Boreham saw that all boards were correct, he announced the terms . of the problem, and eight minutes were allowed for solving. The contestants neves experienced a shorter eight minutes. Eaehj competitor waa equipped with pencil and) pr.per; *" the first problem was numbered 21 (no position had to be written), and the solution written below. The pieces on the board* ■ hewever, had not to be touched—no move wad irade. The whole play had to be dona mentally as in playing a match game. At tha cioae Mr Boreham gave the solutions, and! demonstrated that every other was wrong. As no one could claim the prize, it was' decided to hofld another competition nexti Saturday evening, when all-comers will ha wade welcome. Entry is free. Mr Bor-ehamj will submit easier problems, so that no ons need fear to enter. Chatter.—The magazine Chatter for June it* to hand, and contains two interesting pages on draughts. For the game alone the maga* zinc is cheap at the money—ls 6d per annum, The Chatter Company, 90-91 Queen street* Cheapßide, London, E.C. Draughts World.—The June number of th« World arrived promptly to time. From th« biographical sketch of Mr Robt. Bruce, o{ /beideen, on to the end there is not a dull page in the magazine. If any country readers living away from » money order office desire tot procure the " indispensable," we shall btf pleased to forward their subscription and. address for them Price, 3s 63 per annum;) money order 6d. postage Id. A. Bryson and) Co., 92 Trongate, Glasgow. Most members of the New York Checker Club are pleased with the two-move restriction, and play nothing else. As one of them* said, " It may be pleasant for gome to play a* be ok game all through, with the sole idea of catching an opponent on something h« has forgotten or has never known. In th« latter case the vanquished one is 'the gainer^ while the victor must realise that one of his. • tricks will never again succeed against th* same individual. I, however, play checker^ for amusement, and, while I may mess up 4 good many situations I get into on the re-* striction, it is more satisfactory to be almosfi aure that my adversary is also groping foe " best moves," and is unable to sit back! and take it easy, because he "knows" and £ do not. Two of the experts will contest n game seemingly new to the spectatorß^—they will be very deliberate, apparently studying v«ry deeply and acting very seriously—and! when the game is finished a wise one wiir know that no grey matter has been used. It was simply. a wood-DUshics sewic^ «* Sunday Call,