CHESS.

Otago Witness, 1 June 1910, Page 67

CHESS.

Conducted by F. J. Motjat.

Jhb Otago Chess Club meets for play at th« rooms, Liverpool street, Dunedin, every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday evening at 8 o'clock. 'Visiting chess players are cordially invited to the club on theße evenings.

PROBLEM 3607. Bv S. Loyd. (From Torquay Directory.)

8; 5Kt2; 4p3; 2K5; 4k3; 7R; 3B2Rkt: 3b3Q.

White to play and mate in two moves

PROBLEM 3608. (Tourney Problem from Hampstead and Highgate Express.)

8; 2p5; 2plKp2; Plk2p2{ b2p4; PplP4 IP2Q3; 8.

wwte to play and mate in three moves*

SOLUTIONS TO TROTH-EMS Problem 3605. Key move: Q-Q RB. Problem 3636. Key move: Q-R 8.

SHE DUPKR DOPED.

A TALE OF CHESS

In a small railway township was a chess club, or, more correctly speaking, a chess coterie of six players, the champion of which ■was Mr, Tropfin. The French proverb, “In the country of the blind- the- boko —(blind of one eye only)—is king,” was well exemplified here; but though Tropfin was a poor player, ho was a- terrible boaster. He had played with Staunton, who could only give him pawn and move, and also with other noted players. One night, having been more than ordinarily successful, he bragged also more than usual, till one of the members, who w r as in a bad temper, remarked: “ Look here, Trojpfin, it is all very well for you to boast to us, but I will bet -you a pound that if you played against Mr A or Mr B you would not have the ghost of a show to win a game.” The other players, wishing to silence the conceited fellow, offered the same bet. This was what Tropfin expected; he therefor© remarked: “Well, gentlemen, I could play them both at once; but, as you are aware, these players are not able to come here. Still, I will write to- them, and if either is willing to play a’gam© by correspondence I will accept your wager.” The next day Tropfin wrote to A and B, with whom he was acquainted, and who he -was well aware could give him long odds, asking for the pleasure of a game by correspondence, wishing A to take first move, and requesting B to grant him a like privilege. His challenges were accepted, and the game started. I say the game, because Tropfin, instead of playing them both, actually made these players play against each other. When he received A’s and B’s answers he went to the club and told the members. “ Gentlemen, I wrote to A and B, thinking that one or the other would decline the challenge, but they have both accepted’, so I will play the two.” This last was said with a heroic ■appearance. At this the first bettor, whose temper had improved, said: “ Well, old man, I don’t think it would be fair to handicap you, so if you persist in taking up the bets I tell you what I am prepared to do. If you beat either of them the money is yours, if you beat them both' I will give you two to one.” The other players offered, the same terms, which, of course, Tropfin accepted. Now, Mr A and Mr B were players, and also well-known problem artists, and having happily met by chance during the progress of the game, they of course talked chess, and also naturally spoke of their game with Tropfin. Suddenly, A smelling a rat, they compared notes, and discovered the trick which was being played on them. They both knew Tropfin, and also knew that it did not take a large sprat to catch that mackerel. They therefore devised a plan by which they hoped to trap the joker; The game proceeded in a most erratic manner. Tropfin, who was watching the game, often wondered at some, remarkable moves, and began to think .he could defeat both players. Some moves were sometimes scratched off the post-card and replaced hy others. At last the position arrived at the subjoined, White having the move: —-

“ Now,” thought Tropfin, “ Q x Q, and White wins easily.” But what was his astonishment at White’s last move, B-Q 6. He looked carefully at the position, and at last ‘thought: “By Jove, there’s ia chance! I can take both their queen and rook! With these odds I am sure to win both games—and the £lO from the club.” No sooner thought than done, and to both players he answered Q x Q. Reader, judge of Tropfin’s incredulous dismay on receiving two cards; each containing the ominous words: “Mats in two; thus— l 1 B-B 8 any; 2 B x P or B-Kt 7, mate.”— Melbourne Leader.

OTAGO CHESS CLUB

Entries for the three tournaments at the Otago Chess Chib closed last night (Tuesday, 31st ult.). The following players have signified their intention of competing for prizes: Senior Championship.—Messrs H. Armstrong, A. Ellis, O. Balk, J. J. Marlow, G. F. Dcdds, J. Dunlop, S. S. Myers, G. D. Wright, and A. Mellor. Forsyth Memorial Handicap.—Messrs H. Armstrong, A. Ellis, O. Balk, J. J. M,a.rlow, G. F. i/odds, T. J. Rossbotham, J. Dunlop, A. R. Barclay, P. M'Laurin, W. J. Smart, J. A Boreham, G. Holmes, R. W. Brickell, E. W. Ackland, W. J. M. Cr.aigie, Q. Bitossi, H. M'D. Smith, J. Hunter, R. A. Cleland, and F. J. Mouat.

Junior Championship.—T. J. Rcssbotham, P. M'Laurin, W. J. Smart, A. R. Barclay, J. A, Boreham, G. -Holmes, R. W. Brickell, W. J. M. Craigie, H. M'D. Smith, and J. Hunter.

CHESS ITEMS

Mr R. A. Cleland, senior champion of the Otago Chess Club, will deliver a lecture on chess problems in the club rooms next Wednesday night (the Bth inst.), commencing at 8 o'clock. Players interested in the construction and solving of problems are cordially invited to attend and hear the' discpurse.

The death is reported at Rose Park, South Australia, of Mr Arthur Charlick, one cf the best known of the Australian problem composers. Deceased began composing jjabout 12 years ago, has constructed many "subtle problems, and was a consistent prizewinner in the problem tournaments of Europe, America, and Australia. Mr Alexander Ironside Littlejohn, the well-known Wellington chess player, died there suddenly last Wednesday morning. Deceased w.as born in Scotland 50 years ago 'and learned his trade of jeweller and watchmaker in that country with his father, the late Mr Wilson Littlejohn, with whom he

came out to Wellington in 1879. For some years he had suffered! from heart trouble, and on Friday, the 20th ult., he was compelled to take to his bed at his residence onTalavera Terrace. His condition became worse, amd his death occurred at 11 o'clock on the Y/ednesday morning following. The late Mr A. I. Littlejchn was a popular man, of a genial disposition, and generally respected. He was one of the founders of the Metropolitan Building and' Investment Society, of which he held the position of chairman of directors for some years. He took great interest in the gem trade, and was constantly importing some very valuable gems, which were set by the firm generally to the order of wealthy customers. His brother was master at Nelson College some few years ago, and now occupies an important position in Melbourne. Chess circles in Wellington feel the loss of Mr Little John severely. He was a strong player, a caustic critic, but withal a man whose soul was deeply imbued with a love of the royal game, and who had a proper appreciation of the inner beauty associated With fine strategy.