DRAUGHTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2934, 8 June 1910, Page 87

DRAUGHTS.

Conducted by Jos. Abebnethy. 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 Ci/ob.—The Otago Club meets every Saturday evening at Sweetings, Rattray str<et. Visitors welcome. ■ Gore.—Gore Club meets on Friday nights in the Criterion Hotel. Visitors welcome. —Geo. M'Kay, secretary.

PROBLEM 2773. By G. V. Cochrane.

Black: 1,5, IQ, 14, king 18. White; 13, 19, 20, 21, king 7. Black to play and win. fA neat ending between two Waimate players, our contributor having Black.— De. Eio.]

PROBLEM 2774. (Author unknown.)

Black: 7, 11, 15, 16, king 1. White: ' 20, 23, 24, kings 4, 8. Black to move and win. fA neat but not difficult tit-bit contributed by a Waimate correspondent some time ago.— Ds Ed.l TO CORRESPONDENTS.' (G. M'K.. Gore.—Noted. Something gone wrong with the works! Probably due to the weather. Hope to hear soon of Gore's vival. Denny.—You are correct in solution of Problem 2768. Try some of the others again. J. M. H.—Thanks for game. Captain Challice.—Will write you. P. E. 2.—Much obliged for details. E. A. L., Invercargill.—Your solutions to Problems 2769 and 2770 are correct.

GAMES-

The following game was played last Wednesday evening in the Town v. Country match between Messrs J. Chapman (Country) and J. M. liutton (Town). Game 2887.—" Dyke."

[Then 1722, and the game was eventually drawn. Some players thought Black should win, but we cannot find it. Can you?—Eu."| (a) If the score is correctly written, White should about win hare by 15 10.

11 16 2G 23 3 8-a -23 16 12 28 14 IS 30 £6 12 16 10 7 812 22 17 3 7 S 11 25 21 16 19 7 3 Drawn. (A) 14 18, 23 14, 16 19, 21 17, 19 28, 10 7, 3 10, W. wins.

THE TOWS COUNTRY MATCH.

WIN FOR THE COUNTRY. . The show week of 1910 is likely to be a memorable one in draughts circles on account of the successful gathering of players on the 3rd for the annual big match, which took place in the Early Settlers' Hall. The result of the contest wus especially gratifying to the visitors, as they secured a handsome win by 105 wins to 83, with 47 draws. There were 68 boards—l 36 players — engaged in the contest, which constitutes a record for New Zealand. The only draughts gathering in the world that beats it is the Victorian event, which for a period of 16 years has had an average of 79 boards engaged, the highest being 118 (in 1900) and the lowest 57 (in 1908). On a population basis., however, the Dunedin event stands first against all similar contests. We congratulate Captain Murdoch and his merry men on this year's victory; and, on account of the consequent encouragement to our country cousins, it will be a gigantic task for the city dwellers to retrieve their laurels. At the match last Wednesday representatives were present from Oamaru in the north to liv vercargill in the south. Mr R. Caldow captained the city team and Mr A. Murdoch (RiversdaJe) the country team. Messrs Hilliker and Caldow acted as supervisors of the contest which was commenced shortly after 8 ojclock p.m. and concluded o'clock. The following are the details of the tournament play: Town. Country. Wins. Draws. Wins.

Mr R. Caldow in announcing the result of the match as "a. very decisive win for the visiting team," hea.rtily congratulated them on the jovial and robust body of good players they had gathered together. While they had won hand&omely it must be remembered that 68 boards had been engaged, and over 230 games played. He trusted tbat the evening's gathering would still further cement the friendships existing between draughts players in Otago and Southland, and tbat the next ' gathering would be even larger and, if possible, even more keenly contested. Mr Alex. Murdoch, of Riversdale, on rising to speak was met by a, storm of applause, and commenced by saying that he hardly knew how to express his pleasure at the splendid fight his team bad put up tbat evening. For several years the city representatives had been winning by a small margin, but this time the tables were turned, for the country men were victorious. He trusted that they would strive to retain the laurels. He desired to express his own and his team's appreciation of the perfect arrangements made for the match, of the good will shown to them by the town team, and of the happy way in .vhich they accepted their defeat. After again expressing his pleasure at being captain of a side that bad defeated Dunedin's crack team, he called for hearty cheers for the _ city district plavers. These were given with heartiness, and .were followed by the singing of " For they are jolly good fellows." Mr Hilliker (secretary), on being called upon, said that he desired to thank Mr Murdoch and the country players on behalf of the city team for their kindly words and good wishes. It was very gratifying to find that the annual Town v. Country miatch was growing in favour. Two oi three records bad been established that night—a Dominion record of 136 players at 68 boards; the visiting team had been the first to secure a (Century of wins in any one match; and by that night's victory hiad secured the lead in games won in the series of six large matches. On behalf of Mr F. Butterfield, secretary of th&--N.Z. Draughts Association, he desired to mention the fact that it was most probable that an Australasian and New Zealand Championship Tourney would be

held at Dunedin next Easter, when th& interest and help of all N.Z. players and supporters would be most earnestly solicited by the Central Committee- of the association. In conclusion, Mr Hilliker said that he was sure that 'he was expressing the feeling of all players present when he said that they deeply sympathised with Mx Jos. Abernethy, draughts editor of the Otago Witness, in that through illnoss he was prevented from being with them that night, having been confined to bed for several days. They all appreciated the work that Mr Abernethy did for the game through his popular column in the Otago Witness, and trusted that he would soon be restored to his usual measure of good health. Cheers were then called for and given for the visiting teami, and a most enjoyable and successful gathering brought to a close. In the afternoon an interesting exhibition of simultaneous play was given by Messrs A. Math.ieson, J. Boraham, F. Hilliker, and A. Davidson, about 30 country players constituting their opponents. The following table will be of interest for purposes of comparison, being a summary of the various Town v. Country matches in Dunedin since the event assumed serious pro-

Of the six matches played, i 'the Town has won 3, Country 2, and 1 drawn.

OTAGO CLUB TOURNEY RULES.

1. The tourney shall be a handicap tourney, open to all-comers. 2. The player aggregating the most points, ■with or without handicap, shall be the winner of the first prize, and so with the others following. Should iwo or more scratch men tie for any prize, their relative positions shall be decided by the percentage system. In any other tie the competitor having the smaller or no handicap will be declared the winner. 3. Play shall be governed by the standard laws according tc ; ' Lee's Guide." 4. Play shall commence on Saturday, June 18, at 7.30 p.m., in the Otago Draughts Club Room, and shall continue every Saturday and Wednesday evenings, thereafter until conclusion of tourney. . '5. A referee shall be appointed to pair the players and govern play, and to keep score-sheet and game records. 6. The games of a pair to be finished at one session. When in referee's opinion, this cannot be done, the position shall be recorded and the move sealed ir accordance with the usual"custom, and deposited with the referee. 7. Any player whose turn it is to piay failing to seal his move in an • unfinished game, shall forfeit suoh game to his opponent. 8. Score of each game to be recorded before another game is started. All games to become the property of the committee. 9. Openings of games shall be decided on the two-mo-ve. ballot restriction, with the customary omissions. 10. T/He tourney shall be conducted on the all-round system, each player to play two games, with every other player. 11. Any competitor who, without valid reason, fails to fulfil his engagement when paired, shall forfeit half a point. 12. All disputes shall be settled by the committee, whose ruling shall be final.

DRAUGHTS ITEMS.

Otago Club. —There was a good attendance at the Otago Club last Saturday evening, when the annual, meeting of the club was held, a full report of which is held over. The club tournament promises to be a very successful one, with a big entry list. Visitors included Messrs Brunton (Palmerston) and Fraser (Peel Forest). The World's Solving Record.—Captain Challice, R.N.R., Great Yarmouth, " The King of Solvers," is still steadily marching forward. His astounding record of correct solutions of chess, draughts, prize competitions, puzzles, etc., totalled 21.517 for 1149 weeks ending March 5 last! He has sent solutions to 135 Witness problems, and can give the date of every letter, the play sent in it, and the result. No doubt the gallant captain adopts the same method with other things., but how does he manage it ? J. O'Brien, of Motherwell, won the Lanarkshire Championship, in which 64 competitors sta.rtad. His opponent in the final was T. Graham, of Blantyre. To mark their appreciation of his appointment as Sheriff, Mr Thomas Ward, of Nottingham,, wias recently presented with an illuminated address by the Nottingham Board ,of Guardians. In his youth, Mr Ward, after working on _ the Australian goldfields, became a porter in a yeast factory in Nottingham, and rose to he first a partner and then the owner of the business. Mr Ward is a well-known Nottingham draughts player, and patron of the game, and an influential member of the English Draughts Association. It will be pleasing to all draughts players to note his success. It is common knowledge that the late Robert Martins, though London born and bred, settled in Scotland, where he passed the last 20 or 25 years of his life. The fact that his wife was of Scottish nationality is, however, so well known. " One evening." says J. Moir in his racy reminiscences in the Draughts World, " I ventured to , express surprise to Mns Martins that she should have had anything to do with an Englishman—then looked upon almost as ai foreigner—when she replied: ' Deed that's just what a' ma frien's say, an' I often tell'd Robin that a honnie man." Here Martins interjected: ' I never posed as an 'Adonis.' . ' Nane o' your bad words noo, Robin. Aweel, tho' I said he wasna a bonnie man, he's been a guid xne. but I canna- say what made me marry him, unless "there bid-to-be something bj ordinar' aboot the man that could beat Jock M'Ara at the dambrod."

CHAMPION OF ENGLAND.

PKOSPECT OP A VISIT. Just before going to press we have word from Mr D. B. Hay, draughts editor of Melbourne Weekly Times, in reply to our letter to him in re a visit from champion Alfred Jordan. It seemed to us pretty certain that Mr Jordan had no intention of visiting New Zealand, but we wrote Mr Hay asking him to vise his influence with the visitor to induce him. to come to the Dominion. Mr Hay's knowledge of New Zealand in general, and Otago in particular, qualified him to put the prospects in their proper light. This we learn,, briefly, he has done, and, as we supposed, Mr Jordan's arrangements are flexible enough to permit of his coming here if we will do our part. Travelling is an expensive game, and Mr Jordan is not a millionaire. If Dunedin and surrounding districts can raise the sum of £lO or so, Mr Jordan will come. Surely that can be done! A committee will be formed in Dunedin to take chargie of affairs, bu+ in the meantime we shall be plea.3°ci to b->%r fro-n .».ny." r '« willing to tafce a shars in ''--• ■".oje:i, YIM

players throughout New Zealand take stepi immediately to arrange matters if they desire, a visit from the champion. Wi will attend to all communications until a committee is formed. There is no time to lose. This is a great opportunity! Mr Jordan was bora in London on November 6, 1870. He began his study of the game when but seven years of age; indeed, we rliidl him giving his first "simultaneous exhibition " while still a boy .t school. To Mr A. Belasco belongs the credit of introducing Mr Jordan to London players, and he soon took a leading part in the game. In 1890 he contested the London championship with, G. Freeman, whom he beat by 2 to 0 and 3 draws, losing the title to F. Tescheleit shortly afterwards. In 1892 he defeated Tescheleit. and held the title three years in succession against all comers, without losingi a game, and thus became possessor of the Grafton Challenge Cup. Another cur was given by Mr W. Belcher, which Jordan also won outright. Cup No. 3 was then put into competition, and shared the same fate as : ts predecessors. Mr Jordan also won the Stephens Cup and London Wanderers' championship, which he held for the stipulated two years, and the cup became his own property. Mr Jordan's record in tournament play is a most brilliant one. He represented England in 1894, 1899, WO3, and 1910 against Scotland, and Great Britain in the match with America, when lie made the best score of the English representatives. The visitor also plays a strong game at chess, and has competed for the amateur billiard championship. In addition to all this, he possesses a genial, gentlemanly demeanour, and to know him is at once to like him. Mr Jordan arrived quite unexpectedly in, Melbourne on May 30, where he was not expected until June 27. He, however, travelled by another steamer from Antwerp than the one first intended.

SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS.

Then 11 16, White wins. (a) 27 24, 14 18, 22 15, and White wins, but not so easily. (b) 6 2 only draws. Problem 2764 (By J. A. Boreham).—Black 9, 10, 12, king 31. White- U, 13, 18, 28. Whit© to move and win. 13 6, 31 26. 11 7, 26 22 (or if 26 23, 6 2), 7 3, 22 15, 3 7, White wins. Problem 2765 (By the late W. Strickland).— Black: 3,5, 9, 13, 16, king 19. White: . 10, 11, 22, 26, 30, king 4. White to play and

(a) 23 19, 26 23, 62, 5 9,2 6, 23 27, 21 17, 13 22, 6 13, 27 24, 13 I?. 24 15. Black wins. (b) c-6 1, 26 23, 1 6, 23 14, 6 10, 13 17, 10 6, 9 13, 6 30, 14 18, 21 14, 18 9. Black wins. . (c) 6 2, 26 23, 18 15, 11 18, 2 11, 23 -19. 11 7, 18 123, Black wins. (1) If 13 17, 21 14, 22 18, 6 9, White draws. (2) If 3 8-3, 12 3, 26 23, White draws. , (3) If 26 23, 18 14, 3 8, 12 3, 23 18, 3 19, 18 2, 16 7,2 11, White draws. Problem 2768 (By D. A. Brodie).—Black;; 2, 11, 15, 16. 20. king 25. White: 23, 24, 27. 28, 32, king 7. White to play and win. 23 19, 16 23, 7 16, 12 19, 27 11, 20 27, 32'16, White wins.

Black--Chapman. White — Hutton. 11 15 8 12 9 18 6 13 19 23 9 14 22 17 27 24 22 15 26 22 21 17-a 8 4 15 19 7 10 5 9 3 7 7 10 14 21 23 16 24 15 25 22 22 18 15 11 4 8 12 19 10 19 12 16 1 6 8 15 1C 14 24 15 £9 23 22 18 31 26 18 11 22 18 10 19 4 8 9 14 16 20 6 9 14 17 25 £2 17 14 18 9 26 22 11 8 18 14

Game 2888. —“ Souter.” By W. Veal, Southampton, England. 11 15 29 25 9 18 23 18 18 25 9 6 23 19 4 8 2(1 23 14 23 30 21 23 27 9 14 24 SO 18 27 31 26 8 11 6 2 22 17 15 24 32 23 6 14 21 17 27 32 6 9 28 19 10 15 26 10 11 16 24 19 17 13 11 15 19 10 1-14 IS 17 13 32 27 2 6 27 24 6 15 22 15 15 18 19 15 25 22 14 17 13 9 11 18 13 9 27 23 8 11 21 14 7 11 25 22 18 23 15 11 Drawn.

2 J. A. Boreham 1 w Davis 0 2 D. Brodi© ... 1 w Swiebel ... 1 1 J. A. Lucas 1 t r. Rea 1 2 F. Langston 0 j. Cochrane ... 0 0 J. M. Hutton 2 j. Chapman ... 0 0 A, Mathieson 3 j. Oughton ... 1 0 F. Mathieson 1 j. Stevenson 2 3 J. M'Kinnon 1 F. M‘Kay ... 0 1 J. Thompson 0 L. Elliott 3 1 L. Edwards 3 R. M‘Lew 0 2 G. Holden 0 A. Bringans 0 0 A. Davidson 0 J. P. Malcolm 2 0 H. Holden 1 D. Dickie ... 0 0 H. Holliday 0 J. Steel , 2 4- P. Mark 0 T. Baxter 0 0 J. Cleary 2 G. Clark 2 2.R. Botting 2 G. Sim 0 2 D. Trainer 0 G. Penny 1 2 J. Duncan 0 J. A. Mills ... 2 0 J. Jarvis 0 D. Howden 3 1 P. Peterson 3 H. Stirling o. 2 P. Beck 0 D. Clements ... 2 !■ A. Hart 1 H. Br unton i 2 2 A. Roes 0 W. J. Clarke... 0 0 H. Batey 2 A. Murdoch (captain) ... 2 2 A. Sinclair 0 P. Clarke 1 0 A. Havwa.rd 0 J. Edwards ... 3 0 D. Pithie ... 3 W Broad 1 1 D. Soanlan 1 J. Hamilton ... 0 1 H. Sonntkg 2 w Boss 1 2 J. Carruthers 2 A. Bradfield ... 0 1 T. Tily 1 H. Tamblyn ... 1 2 T. Dohig 0 P. M‘Lay 2 0 W. Campbell 1 P. C. Gray ... 2 1 J. Scott 1 W Stewart ... 2 1 J. J. Young 0 J. Christie 3 2 J. Parie i J. Shore 1 2 W. Fraser 0 G. Buchanan 2 2 F. Sims 2 D. Fdwards ... 0 1 R. Ross 0 D. Mathieson 3 0 L. Fdwards, jn 1 J. Fairbairn 2 R. Hammond 1 sen. 0 W. Temnleton 1 1 F. Hunt 0 D. Wards ... 3 1 H. Percv 0 C. A. Smith 0 1 W. Henderson 1 •Tames Sim ... 2 1 S. Bradbury f> D. Barclay 3 2 Lansr ' 1 A. Houston 0 3 J: R. Fairbairn 1 J. Adams 0 1 F. Codfred 0 A. Thomson ... 3 0 D. Duncan 1 H. M‘Cc11 ... 3 1 M. Hutton 0 M. Mathieson 2 0 J. Duncan, inn 1 A. Bradfield 3 0 J. Cgreenfield 0 M. Campbell a 0 Veitch 0 M. M‘Teod 3 1 U. Clark ... 0 A. White 3 2 F. Forrester 1 H. TPRson 1 3 A . Hu tchins 1 w S. 'Thomson 0 2 H. Homes 0 W TVTeldoim 2 1. J. Burn- ... n J. M. Clarke 3 3 T. W. Paterson 0 A. Smithson 1 f D, Cameron n J. Finir 0 0 ,T. Fdwards n H. T-Toda'e A 0 A. Tiltmnn 0 R. Murray A 4 R . Pm,Vidal© n C. TPeH-trer 0 0 H. Hart n ,T. B. TT..tton A 1 R, Maxwell 0 W M'Neur % 9. .T n ,T. Bovd 2 0 H. Gibson ... 0 J. Morton 2

portions; — Year. Boards. Games. Town. Country. Draws. 1905 50 155 49 74 32 1906 52 169 79 60 30 1907 63 210 90 90 30 1908 58 197 88 78 31 1909 62 223 96 91 36 1910 68 235 83 105 47 353 1189 486 498 206

Problem 2763 (By J. Cleary).—Black: ; 6, 7, 10, 12, 14, 16. White: 17, 19, 21, 22, 23, 27. White to play; ; what result ? 22 18-a 16 20 18 9 20 27 27 15 19 6 9 13 6 11 15 6 2 10 15 23 16 17 13 7 H 27 24 b 15 24 7 11 12 19

draw. 22 18 6 8 26 23 14 17 / 16 11 19 16 4 20 17 22 15 11 15 19 1,8 14 13 17 23 19 7 10 11 15 15 6 20 16 9 14 11 7 19 23 14 10 3 7 19 15 10 15 15 18 Drawn. Problem '2766 (By G. H. Slocum).--Black: 14, 17. 21, king ■ 11. White: 15, 23, 26, 29, king 8. White to play and win. 15 10 6 2 23 19 6 9 17 22 11 4 8 11 15 24 70 23 20 24 10 6 2 6 29 25 9 20 etc. '4 8 ' 11 15 21 30 White wins. Problem 2767 (By F. E. Hilliker).--Black; 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, king 22. White: 12, , 16, 20, 21, 23, king 6. Black to play and win. 22 26-1 13 17 23 19 5 9 19 24 9' 5 23 18-a 22 26 10 6 11 15 5 9 18 14 5 92 17 22 19 15 9 13 24 27 5 1 21 17 B 26 31 6 2 7 11 9 5 14 9 13 22 22 18 15 18 13 9 27 32 I 5 . 6 13 31 27 2 6 15 19 5 9 10 14 3 8 16 12 18 14 9 14 32 27 5 1 12 3 7 3 6 1 3 7 9 5 9 5 26 23 18 14 14 10 14 9 ■ 27 23 I 6 / 3 10 27 23 1 5 7 10 5 9 5 I 23 7 14 10 10 7 9 5 25 18 6 2 B. wina