DRAUGHTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3003, 4 October 1911, Page 67

DRAUGHTS.

Conducted bt Jos. Abernethy. Solutions of problems, games, and analyses inTited for this column. Games should be written in six columns as below, and all correspondence addressed to the Draughts Editor.

Otago Club.—Tlie Otago Club meets every Saturday evening at Sweetings, Rattray street. Visitors welcome. PROBLEM 3885. By A. Jordan, Champion of England.

Black (Jordan) r 12, 13, 21, kings 14,' 22, 28. White (Banks): 231, 30, kings 11, 15, 27/ Black, to, play and -win. " Switcher••"-. ending (second game); Alfred Jordan won from- Newel! W. Biank3 in Cedar Point subscription match/ See report bolow. ■ * Jordan played 12 16, 11 20, 28 24/ 27 32, 22 26, 20 27, 26 10, Black won. PROBLEM 3886. ■ By A. Jordan, Champion of England

Black (Banka): 13, 14, 21, king 10. "White (Jordan): 16, 22, kings 2, 30. White to play and win. Ending (fifth, game) Alfred Jordan won from Newell W. Banks in Cedar Point subscription match. See report below, Note (a). TO CORRESPONDENTS. A. Jordan, Wallaooburg, Canada.—Hearty congratulations on your successful conclusion to a wonderful tour. Thanks. W. T. Kjerr, Pittsburg.—Many thinks for interesting report. The endings will be enjoyed. W. M. Mills, Sydney. — Play received. Thank®. T. P., Peel Forest.—You are correct in solution to Problem 3682. J. F., Wanganui l . —Your solutions to Problem® 3860, 8881, tand 3882 are correct. In 3879 your idea is correct, but you cannot do it that way, for 11 16 first move allows a draw by 23 16. J. W., Oamani.—Will write and enclose solution to problem sent. You are correct in solutions to Problems 3879 and 3881, A. JORDAN IN AMERICA. BANKS v. JORDAN. In our last issue we were able to announce the bare result of the match, between N. W. Banks, chiampioax of America-, and A. Jordan, champion of Eingliand. We have since received word from Mk Jordan himself; and Mr W. T. Kerr, the pushful checker editor of the Pittsburg Leader, has kindly contributed a (detailed account of the Cedar Point gathering and the BanksJordan contest. Readers will, we feel euro, appreciate Mr Kerr’s work; —The In ter national Match.— This match, taken on by Newell W. Bonks, the American' champion, at the earnest solicitation of American players who desired to get a sample of Mr Jordan’s ability when opposed by a first-class player in a set match, by no means gxv© a true line on the respective abilities of the players. Mr Banks, oh account of an affliction of his eyesight, befoavement in his family, and close attention to his duties at Lansing, Mich., where ho holds a responsible position in the State capital, has had very little orossboard practice since he won the American championship from Hugh Henderson at Toledo, over a year ago. Newell gave heed 1 to the pleadings of those who wanted to see some real checkers, and though defeated, made a gallant stand against his opponent, who is a man of world-wide experience, has participated in hundreds of tournaments' against the -world’s greatest players, and is conceded to be the peer of any living exponent of- the game. We, of America, are proud of our cbamtpiom, and with proper preparation and strong croseboard practice he can meet any living player with an, equal chance of victory. The purse of SOOdol was divided 60 per cent to the winner and 40 pier cent, to the loser. —First Day—August 7. Play was started promptly at 3 p.m. A W. Valentine, of Rock Island, 111., served a® referee. Dr W. B. Banks acted as timekeeper for Newell, while C. H. Leggett, of Saratoga Springs, N. Y., held the watch for Jordan. First Game.—The ballot brought out 9 13. 21 17. Banks, with the Black pieces, followed with 11 15, forming the “ Switcher.” Each man played with extreme caution, feeling cut his opponent. Neither could secure the advantage, and" a very interestin'" game resulted in a draw. Second Game.—Jordan secured a slight advantage about mid game, and scored the first win from the following position;—Block: 1,3, 5,7, 8, 12, 22. White : 13 14. 19, 26, 23, 30, 31. Black (Jordan) to play and wint. 8 11 14 7 11 15 2 7 14 17 13 9 3 10 62 10 14 10 15 7 10 9 6 15 21 7 10 17 21 Banks 'eventually resigned. See position on diagram above.

—Second Day—August B. Third Game. —The ballot brought out 11 15, 22 17. Banka, with Black, “ Dyked ” a d third move. Some very pretty play followed, and fine strategy was displayed by both players. The game was brought to a close from the following position : —Black: 2,5, 8, 16. White: 14, 27, 28, 29. Black (Banks) to play.

Fourth Gama—Jordan manoeuvred the opening into the “ Alma,” his pet formation. He found: Banka fully able to oope with him on hia chosen ground, and the second day’s play ended with the score: Jordan, Ii Banks, 0; drawn, 8. —Third Day—August 9. Fifth Game.—l2 16, 23 18 was offered fa, the players’ oonsi deration, and soon do veloped into a “Briatol' s Cross.” Banks sao rifioed 1 a piece early in the game. He ro covered the man 33 moves later, but Jordan secured a grip that he never relaxed, and by e fine display of end-gam© strategy placed the game to bia credit. Black: 1,9, 13 king 30. 'White: 7, 17, 23, 28, king 23. Black (Banks) to play.

(*) Time, called. (a) This neat sacrifice took the spectators by surprise. ‘ ' This gam© consumed throe hours’ time, Jordan being called .to-time on six occasions and Banks onoo. Sixth Game.—This game ran along linos familiar to both players, and 'was quickly drawn. .... - —-Fourth Day—-August 10.— Seventh and Eighth Games. —9 14, 23 19. showed up, and both, games were drawn. Fb. eight was noteworthy on account of Jordan passing up a chance to form the “Whilter.” He chose the “ Fife.” A i nth Game.—ll 16, 22 18 was drawn from the box. It developed into “ Paisley.” Some thought that Banks would lose this game, hut ho sacrificed a piece, battered down Jordan’s defences, and secured a king, •which wias brought up in the rear of a large party of paledaoe privates, holding them motionless. Jordan, after playing up to a neat trap which Banks avoided, conceded the draw. Position at fortieth move; Black: 9, 10,. 11,, 121, 13, 16, 2a White: 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 27. Black (Banks) to play.

(a) 22 25 would have allowed "White a neat win by 23 18, etc. Tenth Game.—Jordan varied early from' his opponent’s play in the preceding game, and soon appeared to be in trouble. By hard work, taking the time limit on several moves, tho English- champion oamo through with a second draw. —Fifth Day—August 11.— Eleventh Game. —9 14, 24 20 was offered the players, two inteereting' double corner games were played to an even termination. Thirteenth Game.—lo 15, 21 17 showed upu and Jordan, with the White pieces, secured a powerful end-game. Banks entrenched two kings behind a bridge position, end the Englishman was unable to break through the barrier. This game developed the roost complicated “stroke n of the match. Bank* initiating a coup that removed 14 men from the board. Following shows the end-game-Black: 8, 12, 22, 26, king 2-5. White: ,28. 29, 81, 32, king G. White (Jordan) to play. 6 10 25 21 24 20 21 25 a-14 18 26 SO 28 24 30 20 18 14 Drawn 10 14 8 II 14 IS 25 21 (a) Did Joardian get all that was . coming to him out of this ending f Fourteenth Game.—Bank* threw np a piece at the eighteenth move andi while his position looked strong, all attempts to pass the English linos were futile, and Jordan placed the third win to hi® credit The end-game:—Black: 3,6, 7,8, 9, 12, 13, 30. White: 16, 22, 26, 28, 30, 31, 32. Black (Jordan) to play and win.

—Sixth Day—August 12. Fifteenth Game.—The ballot gave 9 13, 24 20. Jordan sacrificed a piece cm his seventeenth move. Banks returned the gift a few moves later, and soon had the English champion looking them over very carefully. He failed to steer his ship through til© storm safely. Position shows where he struck the rooks, and Bank® scored' his only victory of the match amid hearty applause. Black: 1,2, 3,5, 15, 18, 19. White: 13, 16. 24, 26, 27, 38, 30. Black (Banks) to play and win.

Game No. 16 was evenly contested to a draw. Game No. 17 brought out 10 15, 23 19. Banks drew the Black side, but lest ths next game, and the match. (To be continued.) JORDAN AS AUTHOR, Mr A. Jordan, writing from Ontario, Canada., under date August 93, informs us that his match with Banks concluded his tour, and adds: "But I am staying here another two months to write two booke on checkers." 3?his is an interesting bit oi informatics. Jordan should certainly hav» enough for two good volumes of his own, but it is probable that one of _ the books referred to is an account of his match withl Banks, as mentioned in the above report. Anything from the genial " J." should t&k* woil at present.

16 19 9 14 19 2.1 22 15 8 12 14 10 6 1 26 22 32 £7 1 6 5 9 14 18 i3 32 15 10 Drawn 10 6 29 25

30 25 28 24 17 21 16 11 22 25 23 18* 17 10* 26 30 13 17 H I 25 21 18 23 5 9 22 13 25 29 17 14* 9 14 19 16 14 17 I 6 I 5, 24 19 9 14 13 9 29 25 7 2 14 17 3 7-a 17 22 30 26 21 17 23 20 ' U 3 ’ 9 6 Jordan won

11 15 13 17 2*5 31 25 29 £9 25 IS 11 7 2 14 JO 14 10 2 1 9 14 17 21 31 26 29 23 25 it 21 18 2 7 18 14 10 7 • 7 U 14 21 22 2*1 21 23 25 29 a-26 31 11 7 7 14 10 15 7 2 Drawn

12 16 ' 8 11 16 19 19 ?3 11 IS 22 17 16 8‘ 23 16 22 17 7 2 13 22 8 12 12 19 7 11 9 13 26 17 32 27 31 26 14 10 17 14 a is 13 17 17 21 5 9 15 18 17 14 27 23 £6 22 10 7 Black wins

5 9 2 6 13 17 15 19 27 21 13 6 24 20 16 11 11 8 8 11 I Sit 10 6 9 18 22 31 27 23 18 25 16 12 27 23 8 4 11 8 10 14 9 13 82 31 17 28 22 25 25 21 . 20 IB 23 16 4 8 Black wins