DRAUGHTS ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2913, 12 January 1910, Page 71

DRAUGHTS ITEMS.

! Mr F. Lswigston.—Mr Langston was in Dvmedin during the holidays, and is enjoying perfect health. He is still with a- survey party in the back-blocks, where, between work and study, he can give no time to draughts beyond a perusal of this column and " a go at the problems " without a board. When in town he had a bout with Champion Boreham in Mr liilliker's, and was quite pleased) with his form, although not equal to making a level score with "J. A. B." L. M. Steams announces that be has the 1909 Book of Portraits in the Press, its immediate issue may be expected at four dollars. The appendix may be had as a, separate volume by those who possess the earlier editions of the " Portraits" at a dollar and a-half. While There's Life There's Hope—The Plymouth Mercury mentions an unusual incident which occurred in a match betwean Messrs Blatchford (St. Budeaux) and A. Rickard l (Devonport), consisting of 12 games. The end of the second sitting left Rickard two games ahead, with four to play. At the third sitting of four games Rickard scored a win on the first game, thus Having a. lead of three wins, with only three games to play. Ba-tchiord, however, managed to secure a win in each of these, and the result was therefore a draw. The Checker World.—The October-Novem-ber number of the Checker World is to hand. Though a double .number, it is not equal to its contemporaries in size as single numbers. Five pages of games and a dozen problems are the redeeming features. The solution of the prize problem " V. T.," which was published in this column also, appears, but the trunk only i» given, with this note: " Variations omitted. Complete solution, with names of solvers, will be found in Book of Portraits, Vol. 11, Appendix." Price 2dol

per annum. May bs had from H. Egan, South Yarra, Melbourne. American Championship.—Arrangements for the American championship match between Messrs Banks and Henderson seem to hang fire. Intrest is kept alive, however, by a sharp passage of arms between the latter player and his old countryman, Hugh Mac Kean. A match between the two is on the tapis. England v. Scotland.—At the annual meeting of the Scottish Association, at Glasgow, on November 6, the proposed international with England came in for much discussion. Regret was expressed that the English Association did not see their way to> go iai for an all-round tourney. The amended challenge was accepted—namely, twelve players a-side, duration of contest three days, with two sittings per day, the contest to be played according to published rules, four games per day, two at each sitting. No game to be adjourned, all played out. A strong team was selected to represent Scotland, and the result will be looked forward to with interest.