DRAUGHTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3031, 17 April 1912, Page 67

DRAUGHTS.

Conducted by Jos. Abernethy.

Solutions of problems, games, and analyses incited for this co'.umn. Games should be -written lii six columns as below, nnd all coriespondence •ddressed to the Draughts Editor.

Otaoo Club.—Tne Otago Club meets every Saturday evening at Sweetings, Rattray strc-et. Visitors welcome.

PROBLEM 3932. By W. Veal, Southampton, England.

Black: 2,6, 15, 20, 21, 24, king 8. White: 10, 11, 13, 11, 22, 26, 29, king 4. White te play and win. TO CORRESPONDENTS. W. Veal.—Thanks for continued favours. F. C. 8., Ashburtoi:.—Thanks Will convey your message. J. Fhazer, Wanganui.—Subsorpition list and • amount will be forwarded to Wellington. J. D. D., Crooksten.—Will make personal inquiry and inspection at once and report as early as possible. Sometimes stock of boards hero rather limited. Best plan would be sending to Gamoge, London, direct, but that would be too late for this season. R. B. Wood, Indiana, US.A.—Your publication excellent, and has the field to itself, as it will not clash with the other periodicals devoted to the game. It will take the place of the D.P.Q.R. P. E. H.—Thanks for trouble. Heartiest congratulations on victory. GAMES. Game 3213.—" Single Corner." By W. Veal, Southampton, England.

(a) Mr Kerr, Melbourne, played 21 17 against Mt Jordan, the English champion, and lost; this seams to turn the tables.— W. Veal. (1) If 3 8-(5), 11 4, 6 9, 19 18, 18 22-(8), 26 17, 9 18, 4 8, 13 22, 8 11, 14 18, 16 12, 10 15, 11 16 8 4, 12 8, W. wins. (2) If 14 17-(3), 7 14, 25 22, 19 15, 22 31. 14 10, 23 26, 10 1, 3 8, 21 14, 31 27, 30 23, 27 11, W. wins. (3) If 3 8, 19 16, 8 11, 23 27, 16 12, 27 31-(4), 12 3, 31 22, 72, 6 9,2 6, W. wins. (4) If 8 11, 7 16, 27 31, 26 23, 31 27, 23 19, 27 13, 12 8, 23 18, 16 12, 18 15, 19 16, W. wins (5) If 18 22, 26 17, 25 22, 17 13, 22 11 7, 18 15, 7 2, 15 31, 21 8, W. wins. (6) 6 9, 13 6, 18 15, 19 16, 15 19, 16 12, 10 15(7), 7 10, 14 18, 10 14, W. wins. (7) 19 24, 27 23, 10 15, 7 10, 15 18, 10 17, 18 27, W. wins. (8) 25 22, .26 17, 9 13, 4 8, 13 22, 8 11, 22 25, 11 7, 10 15, 7 10, 15 19, 10 17, 19 23, 17 22, etc., W. wins.

NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIP. F. E, HILLIKER, CHAMPION. Th.o thirteenth tournament for the New Zealand championship under the auspices of the N.Z.D.A. was commenced in the Working Men's Club, Wellington, on Friday, April 5. There were 16 entries, but only three of them first grade—Messrs Boreham, Calderwood, and Hilliker. It was at first intended to play only two sitting's per clay, but with 10 entries it was decided to play three sittings, and the tournament was concluded in seven days The result as between Messrs Colderwood and Hilliker was very close, and a playoff for the title would liave been necessary but for the provision that in the event of a tie the percentage system be resorted, to to find the winner. This proclaimed Mr Hilliker the winner, as shown below. The tourney was a combined handicap and championship. There were throe prizes for the championship section (to be awarded without including handicaps) and three for the handicap. The following table shows the entries and aggregate scores:

* By the percentage system the points were:—Hilliker 2002, Calderwood 194 J. Mr' Albertson. tournament secretary, has, kindly favoured us with the detailed scoresheet, for which we hope to find room next week. The following are the prizes and prizetakers in the tourney .-—First. Frank E. Hilliker, Dunedin, champion of New Zealand, holder of the Wellington Challenge Cup, and £'l2; second, David Calderwood 1 (Huntly, AVaikato), £8; third, James A. Boreham (Dunedin), £6. Sealed Handicap Tourney Prizes.—First, John Loggatt (Wellington), £6; second, Charles Reid (Wellington), £3; third, J. Chant (New Plymouth), £3. THE CHAMPION. Mr Frank Elsworth Hilliker is a nativeof Oamaru. The first thing ho remembers of tlie game was whon, as a boy, his undo brought to his home a. board and men, remarking that he would teach " the three boys the game." The game at once caught

on with the juveniles,, and the champion of to-day well reaneinljers the discussion they had as to whether " the huff" was in force or not. Mr liilliker came to Dunedin in 1888. Here he was brought into contact with some players of note, and took a greater interest in the game. He had considerable practice with strong players, and in "IE9B ho bought his first, draughts book, and after the visit of' the lato Mr Richard Jordon, champion draughts player of the workL in 1899, he took a keener interest in the game. In Ohristohurch in 1903 Mr Hillikor first took part in a championship contest under the auspices of the New Zealand Draughts Association, when he ran into fourth position. In 1904- he competed at the Wanganui tournament, and fought out the final with Mr James Gardiner, haing eventually beaten by him and securing second position. No tournament was held until 1908, when he secured the championship title, with Gardiner runnerup. In the tournaments of 1909, 1910, and 1911 he ran well up in the play, being runner-up to Penman last year, when the Australasian title was also involved. _ In Penman's absence this year, -.r Hilliker maintains relative position by securing first place. He takes an active interest in the game in other ways than play, being secretary for the annual Town v. Country gatherings, aind secretary for the permanent executive of the New Zealand Draughts Association, located in Dunedin. The title i» therefore held by one who in every way deserves his position. Like a number of other Dunedin players, he can make a good showing- at the sister game of chess. THE RUNNER-UP. Mr D. Oalderwood, runner-up, follows the occupation of a miner at Huntly, in the Waikato district. Ho came to New Zealand from Scotland nearly three years ago in company with the Messrs Penman, all three being well-known Scottish players. Since coming to. New Zealand he has had practically no cross-board practice apart from occasional sittings with the Penmans, and it is now some montlis since they returned to the Old Land, i His is therefore a very creditable performance. The following is the list of champions since the association was formed at Wanganui in 1896:

The following- position was won by Hilliker, and was practically the deciding factor in the tourney, for in defeating- Oalderwood he secured the extra 6J percentage points by which he won the championship:

Black—Caldorwood. White —Hilliker. White to play:

NOTES BY SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. The Wellington tourney was conspicuous for the number of now competitors, Mesars Chant, Page, Watson, J.. Reid, Ma/nson, and Coulter making their first appearance in New Zealand championship tourneys. Messrs Chant .and Page impressed me as men likely to make <a name for themselves in the future. Of the older hands, Messrs Hilliker and Calderwood had a ding-dong race right from the first tie. Calderwood put up a performance quite equal to the capabilities of the now redoubtable William Penman. It speaks well for the South Island representative (Hilliker) that ho was ablo to keep a grip on Calderwood. The deciding factor in the contest was that Hilliker beat Calderwood in their tie, as the winning of this ga-me practically gave Hilliker the GJ percentage points to the good at th© close. Mr Boreham was always in close step upon the two leaders, and if either had broken up would have secured second place. He scored two wins each from seven different players. Charlie Erickson made equal scores with Hilliker, Calderwood, Boreham, and Legg:i.tt much improved player since the last tourney in Dunedin. Mr J. Leggatt quite surprised the leaders by the strength of his play and! score; it looked at one stage as if he were going to score a game from Calderwood, bat the unexpected*happened. In the play among the Wellington players Mr Charles Reid secured 7i points from 10 games equalling ETick»o>f's score in the tame division, an exceedingly meritorious performance. C. X >;>ro and H Lowther did not put up the score that they are capable of. They will come again, however. The veteran Gibson, of Marton, genial and keen player that he is. put up a veTy fine score of 16 points, winning a game from Erickson. and scoring a draw from Boreham. Mr Bruce played some ties very well and hard; in others ho secmL-d to go right off his best. Ho drew one p-ame with Hilliker. Taken as a whole, the play was carried out in the very best of spirit. It was quite interesting to ses what a lot of draws were found in the games "after they were over." It mrsy lvo hard to pick out who was (he best winner, but there's no manner of doubt Mr Coulter was the best-tempered and most jovial loser. After he came through Mr Boreham's hands his cheerful voice (as he lighted his pipe) rang through the room, " Well, I was only one man- down." The' Wellington committee worked hard to gather tos t-ther the JE4O prize-money lequircd. To toe chairman of the committee (Mr Lightfoot). and to the level-headed secretary and referee (Mr H. G. Albertson) much of the success of the tourney is due. The latter put good effort into his work, and did

not miss a point in pushing- the -welfare of the tourney. The JNew Zealand Draughts Association wr« indebted to the Wellington committee for the securing ol a Large challenge cup, now named in honour of their effort " The WelJington Challenge Cup," to be held by each, successive winner of the New Zealand chaia.pionship. The executive of the Wellington Working Men's Club through their president (Mr Mace) contributed very largely to the success of the gathering, placing tbedr large social hall at the disposal of the committee for tie playing of the tourney, and rendering! good financial assistance. There was &■ very large attendance of interested spectators during the play. Owing to the numerous entrios (16), arrangements were altered, and three sittings a day played, 9 a.m., 2 p.m., and 7 p.m. Messrs Boreham and Hilliker played 6J hours m their two games, Hilliker and Page nearly 6 hours, Bruce and Borehain over oh hours, Boreham and Calderwood 4 houra for one game, a draw resulting. The handioappers got in good work at Wellington, Mr Wilson and his colleagues bringing out the competitors well bunched at the finish, and they were heartily congratulated upon their work. SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS.

Problem 3917 (By W. Dunn).—Black: 5,7, 11, 22, 26, kings 3, 23. White: 13, 14, 21, 24, 28, 81, king 17. Black to move and win.

Problem 3918 (By the late Charles "Wilder). —Black: 21, 26, 27. White: 29, king® 17, 28. White to play and win. -.8 32 17 13 19 :5 25 22 13 22 27 31 26 ::0 HO M 26 17 White wins Problem 3919 (By Robert Boswell).—Black: 3 5, 22, king 27. White: 10, 20, 21, 28. White to play and draw.—This position was left as a Black win in Game 319-1, between Messrs Ward and Nixon.

Problem 3920 (By W. Dunn).—Black: 2,4, 8, 11, 14. 15, 19, 26. White: 9, 12, 25, 27, 33, kings 3, 10. Black to move and win.

Black wins. Problem 3921 (By W. Voal).—Black: 1, 11, 17, 25, 26, king 20. White: 5,6, 7, 10, kings 4, 9. Whito to play and win. 4 8 8 11 11 16 10 7 9 14 14 14 U 15-a 15 19 10 22 11-B 110 W. win* (a) 11 16 comes to the same. (b) 1 10 comes to the same. Problem 8922 (By W. Veal).—Black: 4, 15, 28, king ia White: 9, 30, 31, king 17. W T hite to play and win. 30 S« 17 U i« 28 31 26 26 22 14 32 18 22 u2 i 5 15 18 18 -il 25 18 W. wins In the foregoing every move is. nicely forced, making a good problem.

11 15 8 12 1 5 22 25 11 18 2-23 27 22 18 27 21 . 18 9 11 8 4 8 2H 22 15 22 10 14 5 14 25 29 12 16 25 18 25 18 24 19 19 15 8 4 8 11 21 17 8 11 7 10 11 18 29 ?5 16 20 14 21 29 £5 32 27 £0 11 31 24 23 19-a 7 32 4 8 9 13 18 22 2 7 20 i'4.l White 25 22 18 9 28 17 24 19 27 20 wins 12 It! 5 14 13 22 7 11 18 23 24 20 2-2 18 iH 24 19 15 11 7

- a i 0 '-9 •5 1 J c o w Hilliker .. .. .. 23 6 i 2G 26* Calderwood .. .. 23 6 i 26 — 26* Borchum .. 18 9 3 22J — 223 Iyeggatt .. .. 17 10 3 22 3 25 Erickson .., .. 12 14 4 19 8 22 Gibson .. 12 8 10 16 5 21 C. Reid .. .. .. 13 5 12 15£ 9 2th Btuoe .. .. .. 11 7 12 14i G 20j Chant .. .. .. 11 6 18 14 10 2JJ Lowther .. 0 8 18 13 8 21 Moore .. 9 7 14 i2i 8 20J J. Reid .. .. .. 9 7 14 Mj 9 211 Pag-o .. .. .. 7 2 21 8 10 18 Watson .. .. 4 G 20 7 10i 17* Hanson .. 2 8 20 6 12 18 Coulter .. 3 5 22 5* 141 20

Year Winners | Runner up Played at 1896 J. A. Boi chain ! H. Montgomery Wanganui 1837 J. A. Boreham J. A. Lucas Oamaru 1898 J. A. Boreham J. A. Lucas and J Mulvey J. Gardiner Wellington 1899 D. A. Brodie Dunedin 19 jO D. A. Brodie J. Gardiner Invereareill 19J1 J. Gardiner D. Brod ie affd J. Mulvey Palmerston N. 1903 J. A. Lucas J. Gardiner Christehurch 1904 J Gardiner F. E. Hilliker Wanganui 1908 F. E. Hilliker j. Gardiner Dunedin 19fl9 J. A. Boreham D. A. Brodie Gore 1910 Win. Penman J. Boreham Auckland 1911 Win. Penman F. E. Hilliker Dunedin 1912 F. E. Hilliker D. Calderwood Wellington

32 £7 24 CO <> 14 17 22 3 8 10 7 14 18 27 23 18 23 23 i7 27 21 14 10 '.3 5 5 1 8 3 21 17 18 15 7 3 11 IS 23 18 15 18 IE 10 6 9 10 6 -0 11 1 5 14 17 22 18 15 11 11 15 7 32 18 15 IS 15 27 32 !< 13 ti 9 it 17 11 8 17 14 S9 25 17 14 21 17. 13 22 Id 14 15 18 32 27 13 17 White i'5 11 5 U 14 17 i'5 21 14 14 wins 32 27 14 18 18 15 10 6 17 14

23 37 31 24 21 17 17 13 18 24 19 16 24 EO 16 30 5 9 1 5 16 12 8 3 7 10 17 26 13 6 24 19 £4 19 16 7 14 7 30 23 ' 10 1 23 18 12 S 3 10 a il) Black wins

28 24 11) 15 10 fi 6 1 9 6 9 a 22 2ti 26 22 IS 15 9 13 15 19 13 17 io t; 15 10 20 Hi 1 5 6 10 14 9 2(i 31 27 23 £2 18 15 10 19 23 17 22 21 H) (i 2 Hi 12 5 9 10 14 21 17 al SB J3 18 5 9 10 15 18 15 Drawn

15 18 10 17 2 7 3 10 11 lfi 12 :$ 4 8 3 12 18 211 27 18 111 «l \l 1!> 2fi 31 19 16 31 29