DRAUGHTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2929, 4 May 1910, Page 66

DRAUGHTS.

Conducted by Jos. Abernethy. Solutions of problems, games, and analyses invited for this column. Games should be written in six columns as below, and all correspondence

addressed to the Draughts Editor. Otago Club. —The Otago Club meets every evening at Sweetings, Eattray street. Visitors welcome. Gore. —Gore Club meets on Saturdays at Mr E. Frobarth’s rooms. Visitors welcome. —Geo. M'Kay, secretary. PROBLEM 2763. By J. Cleary, Dunedin.

Black: 6,7, 10, 12, 14, 16. White: 17, 19, 21, 22, 23, 27. White to move; what result? The foregoing occurred between Mr Cleary and a friend recently, and last Saturday Mr Cleary placed it for some members at the Otago Club, and very quickly opinions were divided upon it. We have no doubt our solvers will settle the question. Try it. PROBLEM 2784. By J". A. Boeeham, Champion of Australasia.

Blade: 9, 10, 12, king 31. Whits; 11, 13, 18, 28. White to move and win. A New Zealand championship ending, in which D. Calderwood (Black) lost to Boreham. It is not difficult, but was overlooked by Black a few moves back. PiIOBLES 216;. Black; 3,5, 12, 21, 23, 27, kings 22, 28. White: 6, 10, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 24. White to play -and win. A Balolutha correspondent sends this.

giving no author's name, and asks, " Can you do it in three minutes?" Get your watch and try it.

A GOOD OFFKK.

Mr F. C. Barker, Ashburton, writes as follows, ' just in time for insertion,:—<ln. Game 2802—" Old Fourteenth "—playedj between Messrs Hugh Egan and C. A. Kerr, we have the following position at the 35th rmove: Black: 3,5, 7, 11, 12, 13, 17 22. White: 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, 29, 32. i Black to play. ' " I offer a prize to the value of 103 for the best correct anjalysis showing a White win." TO CORRESPONDENTS. ' A. R., Fairfield.—Your solutions to Problems *2760' and 2761 are oorrect. J P M Cromwell.—Will advise in re your query next week. Your solutions to Pro- ! blems 2760 and 2761 are correct. The Chumps.—You are correct in solutions to Problems 2760 and 2761. T M Oama.ru.—Thanks for problem. Your 'solutions to Problems 2760 and 2761 are correct. M'Guibe.—Your idea in the main is correct in re Problem 2762. T T. —Thanks for notes.

GAMES.

I The following interesting game was played 'in Svdney between Messrs R. Jordan, champion of the world, and L. Shaw, during the former's visit to Australia some years ago. We are indebted to Mr'Shaw for the score: | Game 2810.—" Single Corner.

(a) This must be played to draw, as shown in Note B. (b) This loses a. move, and the game —a. rare tiling for Jordan, surely. Instead of this move, 25 22, 27 23, 21 17, 26 30 17 14, 30 25 22 18, 25 22, 18 15, drawn, because Black cannot capture the man en account of the "White king on 5.

AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES. Two great games played on February 26 between Banks and Henderson for American championship recorded by the editor of the Pittsburg Leader, and published by special permission to Leader by Messrs Banks and Henderson. Game 2811.—" Edinburgh."

(a) lias White anything strong here?— Dr. Ed. O. "W. Game 2812.—" Edinburgh."

(a) Same as game 27 up to this point. (b) Sacrificing a piece to try for position. (c) Strong move. (d) Sleeting the situation.

AMERICAS CHAMPIONSHIP.

VICTORY OF BANKS. The result of the first day's play at Toledo in the match between Hugh Henderson, checker editor of the Pittsburg Dispatch and Newell Banks, of Detroit, for the championship of America- and £2OO, resulted in the honours being evenly divided, Henderson and Banks each winning one gams, while two ethers resulted in draws. There was a. large attendance of outside che'eker players in the town, and interest in the match was keen. Fifty games were played, four each day. ■ —Second Day.— On tlie second day Bank 3 took the lead by winning one game. The three others played all resulted in draw*, and were long drawn-out affairs, the final game lasting until 10.45. All the- contests were cleverly played, Banks opened the first game, 10 15, 23 18, and Henderson scon got him into a cramped position and should have won. He lost his chance, however, by being too eager, and in capturing a man got two of his men hung up, and finally lost the game himself. In the second game Banks took the sams opening as the first. Henderson now, however, was on his mettle, and, try how he would, the best the Detroit youngster could get was a draw. The third game opened with 10 14, 22 17, the strongest white side of the Denny opening. Henderson played strong, and apparently had a win coming, but Banks succeeded in drawing in three hours. In the final game Banks had a strong side opening, and seemed to have the better of Henderson generally, though in the end Henderson missed! a draw, and should have lost by first position. Banks fell down, however, and the game ended in a draw. The score now stands: —Banks won 2, Henderson A-on 1, draws 5. —Third Day.— All the games were, easy excopt the last, in which Banks pressed Henderson hard in a long ending. Henderson shows better acquaintance with the books than his opponent, but, on the other hand, Banks seems to ba able to handle his pieces to batter advantage in complicated endings, and apparently relie3 upon his ability to take his opponent away from the books, and so far seems to have been successful. The first balloted for to-day's games was 10 14, 24 19 Denny. The first ganre ran on regular lines, while the second developed into an interesting Paisley position, in which Banks, with the Whites, seemed to have a stronger position. The for the evening was the

10 15, 22 18 Kelso. The first game stuck close to the books, while the second, in which Banks handled the white pieces to perfection, developed into a form of the White Dyke, which many spectators thought Banks would win. Henderson was equal to the emergency, however, and the contest ended in a draw. —Fourth Day.— Banks opened to-day's games with the Black, as usual, and choose the regular line. The situation at no time appeared critical and the game ended in an easy draw. When Henderson opened the second game he planned the Flora Temple formation, but Banks refused to flirt with Flora, and played out 18 14. This game was .hotly contested, and showed clever manoeuvring on the part of each. The Balloted opening for the evening was the 10 15, 24 19 Kelso. In both games the play was fine. Both required good generalship, and both contestants were ever on the alert, and put up a remarkable game, which ended in a draw. The score to date stands: Banks, 2; Henderson, 1, draws 13. —Fifth Day.— Two " Double Corners" and two " Dimdees " were played to-day, and all ended in draws. Banks risked nothing and left all the forcing to be done by his opponent.

WORLD'S CHAMPIONSHIP.

At the close of the recent international match Mr Dunne read a comunication from Mr Lewis, of London, re the proposed world's championship tourney in 1910. Mr Lewis, with other London gentlemen, had gone into the matter, and sent the following preliminary draft of the scheme to br. placed before the players: —Financial.— Already guaranteed .. £IOO 0 o If England and Scottish Associations each subscribed £4O .. .. 80 0 0 Entranoe Fees .. .. .. .. ~ XOO 0 0 £2BO 0 0 It is at present suggested that the prize fund shall be .. .. £3OO 0 0 Expense of conducting the tourney 100 0 3 Total cost £4OC 0 0 As soon as the two associations give their sanction ilr Lewis and ether gentlemer will comni€:.e gathering funds in. in inducting play it is proposed that the time ximrit shall be accumulative as follows: 15 moves at the end of 30 minutes, 30 at the end of GO minutes, and in proportion. Scoring and timing not to be done hy. players, but by officials appointed, thus allowing the competitors to give their whole attention to their games. The number of games, two or four, to be decided later. Promises of funds have already been made* but nothing will be done until the associations give their official sanction to the scheme, when it will be proceeded with under bath their names. It is suggested that a limited edition of the Bock of the Games be published, and a copy presented to each subscriber of one guinea, the surplus of the tourney, if any, to be divided between the two associations." Entries, £5 e»ch, to be limited fco 20. In England there already are, conditionally, five, Scotland one, and America two, the competition being strongly favoured in the latter country. It is anticipated that all the competitors will be entertained by London players and gentlemen, thus reducing the cost to thosa competing. ■ .

DRAUGHTS ITEMS

Otago Club.—There was a good attendance of members at the Otago. Draughts Club's meeting on Saturday evening la3t. an<3) several visitors were present, including a. well-known old-timer in the person of Mr J. Cleary. Next Saturday the meeting will bo held in the club's new quarters in Sweeting's, Rattray street, wben it is hoped' that a good muster of players Will assemble to celebrate the opening of the new premises. Visitors will be heartily welcomed. Town v. Country.—The Town v. Country fixture is fast approaching. On Saturdaylast the following committee was elected to take charge and make all the necessary; arrangements:—Messrs A. Matheson, P. E.' Hilliker, R. Muir, A. Ross, R. Caldow, J. Abernethy, J. Duncan, P. Sims, H. Holden, J. Jarvis, F. Butterfield, Beck, Brodie, and Tily. The committee were to meet at 8.15 p.m. on the 3rd inst., at Mr HiWiker's saloon, for the arrangement of details. The English Champion.—Latest advices announce that Mr R. Jordan purposed leaving England on April 18, so that, if ho carried out his purpose, we should not be long left in suspense as to the prospect of a visit from him.

NOTES AND CBJTICISMS

Game 2782.—Mr W. M. Mills, Sydney, writes:—ln Game 2752, a. New Zealand championship game played between Messrs Duncan and Matheson, the game is left as a draw at this position:—Black: 2, 10, 11, 12, 23. White: 14, 20, 27, 28, 29. Black (to play) can win by 10 17, 27 18, 17 22, 28 24 or 18 14, 2 6. Problem 2750.—Mr P. C. Barker, Ashburton, writes:—ln "Edinburgh" game, by W. Veal, giving solution tci Problem 2750, the following position occurs after 7th move of solution:—Black: 9, 13, 14, 16, "20, 21. White: 15, 22, 23, 27, 31; king 3. Black now plays 16 19, and White wins; bu't 21 25, 27 24, 20 27, 31 24, 25 30, Black wins.

SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS

Problem 2758 (By R. Holding).— Black: kings 11, 15, 30. White: 22, kings 3, 29. Black to play and win by: 30 25, 22 17, 25 21a, 17 13. 15 18, 13 9. 11 7. 3 10, 18 14, 10 17. 21 5. Black wins. (a) If 17 14 Black wins by 15 10. [The foregoing is the author's play, andi is neat; but Mr T. Milne and "Denny" #av« play showing a. dual solution, thus: 15 10, 22 17, 10 6, 17 13, 11 15, 3 7, 6 2, 7 3, 15 10, and Black wins.—Dr. Ed.] Problem 2759 (Bv H. "EgaiO.—Black: 1. 9, 10, 13, IG, 20. White: 18, 21, 22, 23, 27, 30. White to move and win.

(A) 16 19, 23 16, 1 5, 16 12 (16 11 also wins), 9 14, 18 9, 5 21, 22 18, or 12 8, White wins.

Black--L. Shaw. ' White—R. Jordan. 11 15 16 20 12 19 1 10 20 24 31 27 22 18 32 27 23 16 £5 22 22 18 A- 6 1 15 22 4 8 10 19 8 11 10 14 14 18 25 18 26 22 24 15 27 23 18 9 A- 1 5 12 16 7 10 7 11 11 15 5 14 18 23 29 25 31 26 J6 7 23 18 19 15 30 25 10 14 3 7 2 18 14 23 24 27 23 26 24 19 18 15 22 15 26 19 15 10 b- 5 9 8 12 1) 13 6 10 15 24 27 31 13. wins. 27 24 39 16 15 6 28 19 10 6

Black--Banks. Whit e —Henderson. 9 IS 13 22 15 18 9 14 16 23 27 23 21 17 26 17 31 26 18 9 24 19 14 9 11 15 4 8 18 £7 5 14 23 26 23 26 25 21 29 25 32 23 17 13-A 21 17 9 2 8 11 2 6 6 9 1 (i 26 31 16 19 17 14 24 19 23 18 30 25 25 21 15 10 10 17 15 24 7 11 14 18 31 27 8 11 j 21 14 £8 19 14 7 £6 22 17 14 Drawn. 6 10 11 15 3 10 11 16 10 17 £2 17 27 24 25 21 22 15 21 14

Black— Headers on. White—Banks. 1 9 13 6 10 26 22 19 24 1418 27 24 21 17 25 21 14 10 10 7 12 8 610 11 15 18 22 7 14 3 10 IS 23 24 19 25 21 23 19 17 10 11 7 8 3 1014 i 8 11 22 25 11 15 10 15 26 31 19 24 i 17 14 17 13 c-20 16 16 11 3 7 1116 I 10 17 10 17 d-22 26 15 18 23 27 son 1 21 14 21 14 16 11 7 3 2117 716 6 10 15 18 26 22 5 9 27 32 23 27 22 17 B-30 21 25 23 13 6 17 13 2 7 13 22 18 22 22 23 1 10 32 27 27 23 A-28 17 32 28 24 20 11 7 13 9 Kill 15 18 22 25 15 24 10 14 27 23 Drawn. 24 20 31 2fi £8 19 7 2 9 5 10 15 25 30 12 16 18 22 3127 28 24 26 22 19 12 3 7 5 1 2 6 20 26 26 19 22 26 £4 20 29 25 22 17 £0 16 7 11 I 6

21 17 9 14 7 3 £2 26 10 7 30 25 1 5-A 17 10 14 17 18 14 22 25 7 10 IS 15 5 9 22 18 13 17 7 3 25 22 10 26 10 7 17 22 14 10 25 30 10 15 30 £13 9 14 3 8 17 22 3 7 etc. White wins.