DRAUGHTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3115, 26 November 1913, Page 59

DRAUGHTS.

Conducted by Jos. Abeenetht.

Bolntlons of problems, games, and analyses Insited for this column. (James should be written sn gii columnr as below, ant- ai! co.respondence addressed to the Draughts Editor.

PROBLEM 4070. By Alfred Jordan, the American champion.

White to play and draw. A fin© end game, by which the author incidentally corrects one of hie critics.—Leeds Budget PROBLEM 4071. By W. D. Benstead, Lowestoft.

White to play and draw. This was lost by White in play.—Yorkshire Post. TO CORRESPONDENTS. J. 8.. New Plymouth.—The publication of the rules would depend upon their interest ; so cannot give a promise beforehand. J. W., F. C. 8., and “Crookston.” —Play held over till next week. J. G., Tapanui.—Will forward. GAMES. Game 3901—"Kelso." By W. Veal, Southampton, England.

(a) I offer this to win and correct variation 20 at 21st move of “One Thousand Best Games" book. See page 83. (b) 2 6. 22 IS, 6 9, 25 22, t 7 11, 28 24, 10 IS, 21 17, W. wins. + If 10 14, 18 15 wins.

White wins. (c) 30 26. 15 10, 2G 30, 17 14. +3O 26, 14 9, 2G 17, 9 6, W. wins. +3O 23, 22 18. 25 22, 18 15, 22 17, 15 11, 23 2G, 11 8, 26 3+l. 8 3, W. wins. Variation 3. 23 ■:(! n 14 10 30 26-k 1> 1 23 19 8 3 17 li 2630 22 IS Li :-f 11 8 16 12 23 21 IS 15 26 23 15 11 !'■> 16 White wins. (d) If 25 11. 32 23 wins. (e) 21 17, 23 18. 17 22, 18 14 , 31 26, 15 11, 26 23, 10 7. W. wins. (f) 23 19. 14 9, 21 25, 9 G, 29, 5 14, 25 22 14 9, 22 18, 15 11, 13 17, W. wins. The following highly interesting game was played between Messrs H. F. Shearer, Dundee, and Hi Christie. Sunderland, during the recent visit of the “ Edinburgh Ramblers” to Tyneside: Game 3905—“ Denny” CIO 14, 22 18). Black, Christie. White, Shearer.

(Notes by The Budget Draughts Editor.) (a) Not considered as strong as 11 1C or 6 10, but gives better opportunities for original variety;. (b) Mr Shearer in his “Handbook” says; “If correctly answered this line is of no great strength,” and this game to some extent bears out this view. 24 20 is the stereotyped move, being generally recognised as White’s strongest attack—Whito having the supposed strong side of the opening. (c) 17 *l3, 1 6, then 23 19 is the usual order of play. . (d) The game is played out on original lines from here, we think: Hr Shearer probably had this move in view when lie played 23 19 at (c). 17 13 runs in to published play. (e) If 1 6, White replies 25 22, and has the stronger position. _ _ (f) Not a very' promising move, but stronger than it looks; as a result Black is compelled l - to play out one of his back men or otherwise break up his position by “cutting” 14 17.

(g) This “break” gives Black a strong ending, and brings out some fine play on both sides. 5 9 also draws, thus; S 9, 22 17, 9 13, 80 26, 13 22, 26 17, 3 8, 17 13, 15 18, 31 26, 11 16, 19 15, 10 19, 24 15, 16 19, 23 16, 12 19, 16 10, 7 11, 10 6,2 9, 13 6, 11 16, 6 2, 8 12, etc., drawn. (h) 24 20, 3 7, 30 25, 16 19, 27 23, 11 16. 20 11, 7 16, 22 17, 5 9, 17 10, 9 14, etc., drawn. (i) 11 15, 27 23, 16 20, 24 19. 15 24, 28 19, 20 24, 22 17, 27, 17 10, 7 14. 26 22, 24 27, 22 17, 27 31, 17 10, 13 27, etc., drawn. (j) 9 13, 26 22, 16 19, 23 7. 2 11, 28 24, 11 15, 20 16, 14 18, 24 19, 18 26, 17 14, etc., drawn. TOURNAMENT PLAY. Sib,—On behalf of the N.2.D.A. Executive I desire to thank Mr C. D. Chant for his letter appearing in your column of November 12. It removes many misconceptions that may have existed in the minds of the New Zealand Draughts Association members and players concerning the 1913 New Plymouth tourney. The time rule in draughts tourneys is a knotty problem, and will never be solved satisfactorily to all players. The present method adopted by the New Zealand Draughts Associatioon seems to be the most efficient one that could be selected. In its practical working it is the same as that adopted at the late New Plymouth tourney, vide Mr Chant’s letter, as it is always open to the referee to put timekeepers on any players whom he may consider as playing too slow. And the rules of tho association expressly provide that any player may call for a timekeeper whenever he thinks it necessary. During the late Australasian championship and handicap tourneys at Gore there was not even one call for a timekeeper during their progress. This _ speaks volumes for tiie satisfaction of all our beat players with the N.Z.D.A. rule on the matter. With regard to the other question mentioned by Mr Chant—that of the allocation of the prize-money—I would just like to point out that if the New Zealand Association tourneys were carried out like tho English, Scottish, or Australian State Association tourneys, or like the late monster and successful tourney at Cedar Point, United States, then the best players, and the best players only, would secure the prizes. In all tho tourneys referred to no consideration is shown, and no provision made for the weaker players. The New Zealand Draughts Association has for some years now adopted the genera! principle of providing the three first prizes as championship prizes, and then the fourth, fifth, and up to as tar as the 10th prize (at some of the tourneys) as prizes in the handicap tourney. Mr Chant says that the three first prizes were simply a gift to the three best players at the Wellington tourney. Well, surely, prizes in a championship tourney should not be for the inferior players. But there is nothing to stop any player from studying and practising the game until he, also, is able to make a good fight for a championship prize, and that, surely, ought to be the coveted goal of all contestants. Personally, I prefer the two-life knock-out tourney for the championship prizes, and the holding of a eeparte handicap tourney; but at Gore this year it was almost a unanimous vote that the 1914 tourney should be held on the all-round system, with a one-life knock-out tourney among tho four top men at the finish for the four first prizes. The Auckland Committee have. I understand, decided upon an allround tourney on the same lines as the Wellington tourney of 1912, and the executive of the N.Z.D.A. have acquiesced in their proposals. But a good discussion upon the question (as affecting future tourneys) at the annual meeting at Auckland next year would be a good thing. Trusting that Mr Chant will bo a competitor at Auckland, and again thanking him for ventilating these matters, —I am, etc., Frank E Hilliker, Hon. Secretary N.Z.D.A. Executive. [Mr Hilliker treats the various points concisely ; bat there is one which might be extended. If there be three prizes in a tourney which must be won by straight-out scores, irrespective of any handicap, and only three first-grade players are competing, they will naturally receive a prize each. But sometimes there are, say, six first-grade players, all of whom ire on scratch. Three of them receive prizes; the other three usually get nothing, because their scores are ■beaten by second-grade players witli a handicap. Tiie scratch men do not always get the money.—Dr. Ed.] Sir,—l was somewhat surprised to sec a personal attack on myself from tho pen of Mr Chant regarding our North Island Draughts Championship. First, can you find anything in my letter or report about collecting money for the tournament? 1 think not; and I did not receive a penny from anybody except those who knew and were quite willing to contribute to the North Island Championship. Of course, the promises for the N.I.D.C. were cancelled as far as New Plymouth was concerned. His statement that I took 10 and 15 minutes to my moves in tho tournament is contrary to fact. Being secretary, I had to attend to matters, unlike the other competitors. My actual playing time would be about 18 hours to play 26 games, at an average of 50 moves to a game, which works out that both myself and opponent would have to make a move every 50 seconds on an average to finish in that time. So, that settles the 10 and 15 minutes to a move statement. I am enclosing the referee’s statement on enforcing tho time-limit rule. With regard to my being the only player that wanted a N.1.D.C., and that the other players pointed out that there would bo no honour in the absence of Calderwood. Leggett, and Erickson. I quote one of the minutes regarding the tournament: —“New Plymouth. February 15, 1913: At a meeting of the New Plymouth Draughts Club Committee, held on tho the above date, it was resolved, on Mr Chant’s suggestion, to have a North Island Draughts Championship and Handicap combined, and J. Bruce was appointed secretary and treasurer, pro tern.” How could Mr Chant point out before I received the entries that there would l>o no Honour in winning the tournament? I was hoping to the last day to receive entries from Auckland and Wellington. Tho assertion is made by Hr Chant that there will he no more North Island tournaments in New Plymouth. I may respectfully inform Mr Chant that when wo want another N.I.D.C. in New Plymouth we won’t be likely to a.sk his permission, and that it is just very likely that we will have another tournament here. Perhaps the N.Z.D.A. mav get wise enough to cancel some of their objectionable rules, and then the whole of Taranaki would only be too glad to see the contest held here. In conclusion, I may say I don’t object to fair criticism, as I feel my imperfections in a job of that sore very much. But I did the best I could, and I think that is all that should be expected of anybody.—l am, etc.. James Bruce. New Plymouth, November 18. [The referee’s letter save: —“To the best of mv knowledge T was only called twice to time playcra whom T do not remember; but on no occasion did I call on any nlayor to move.” This reads as though the timelimit was observed exactly as in the New

Zealand Draughts Association’s contests. Tho matter, however, has been sufficiently ventilated, and the correspondence is now closed.—Dr. Ed.]

10 15 16 20 3 7 9 18 15 1 Sit 7 10 23 IS) 31 27 25 22 22 15 18 ll 2 7 7 10 9 13 8 it 6 10 2 6-1 19 24 22 18 19 15 15 8 13 6 14 9 7 11 15 22 10 19 4 11 1 10 8 10 24 31 -5 18 24 ; 6 30 25 26 22-A 9 6 32 27 11 16 5 9 11 16 10 ■5-a 10 15 Waite 27 23 ■:9 25 18 14 23 IS 6 2 wins.

Variation X. IS 2:1 i»; i s l‘» 7 12 10 14 10 22 IS 27 18 14 iO iS 9 5 15 11 White 20 24 7 11 7 2 Hi IS 10 7 wins. 28 IS IS S 15 *22 1' 5 Variation 2. 16 19 27 IS SM *'» 9 5 19 ‘23 15 10 18 11 20 -1 ] i S# 12 16 •21 17 25 18 7 )<; 28 I'l 2 :«» 9 1 2"> 39.; 3 7 14 21 17 16 2! 2 1 16 IS IS 15 18 9 IS 211 17 .. ..j 1 0 30 ';-i r:

10 14 ! 1 14 I«-G 7 10 2 11 22 IS 27 V'l’-D 23 14 24 20 13 6 11 15-a ;» 13-K 10 20 5 <i 27 31 j8 11 32 27- F 19 10 22 17 £6 22 8 to 13 22 7 14 11 I5-j 10 15 •26 22-B 25 I) 31 22 20 11 6 £ (i 10 6 ■4 12 16 15 18 14 18 22 17 S 20 28 30 2 -II 11 7 22 17 I 5 3 7-1 18 27 11 16 22 i;-c 23 -.2 £7 v3 17 1! 1 'rawn