DRAUGHTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3169, 9 December 1914, Page 64

DRAUGHTS.

Conducted by Jos. Abep.nethy. Solutions of problems, games, and analyses inrited for this co'.amn. Games should be written in six columns as below, and all conespondence Iddrcssed to the Draughts Editor. PROBLEM 4161. By W. M. Hawkins, Midhirst, Taranaki.

Black to play and win. PROBLEM 4162. By W. Dunn, Dunedin.

Black to play and win. TO CORRESPONDENTS. iV. M. EL, Taranaki. —Pleased to hear from you. Thanks for problem. W. D.. Dunedin.—Thanks for latest. H. Egan-, Melbourne. —Your courtesy appreciated. GAMES. The following games were played at the top board in the Melbourne Town v. Country match between Mesrs F. H. Faulkner and H. Egan. Scores and notes from Melbourne Weekly Times; Game 3162—“ Double Corner.” (Two move restriction.)

(a) Opened “Double Corner,” but now into the “Soutei.'’ (b) There is nothing better than 25 22 here. The text is barely plausible. fc) The only merit about 26 22 at (b) is 1518 here. It loses by 32 27, 11 15, 30 26 8 11, 26 22, 3 8, 31 26, 11 16. 24 20, 16 31. 22 15, 31 22, 20 2, 10 26, 17 10, 6 15, 25 4, and when the smoke clears away White appears to ad van age. An ancient chestnut, but pretty. Original with Robert Fraser, of Dundee. Rather “stale bait,” however, for an old hunter. (n) The country expert is fully alive to the situation; 14 17, which on the surface looks like winning, would lose by 24 20. (e) 26 22 loses by 15 19. 23 16, 12 19, and the piece on 22 is “hors de combat.” Game 3163—“ Double Corner.”

(a) 15 19 is very strong for Black in the opinion of many experts. (b) 21 20, 3 8, and White looks for the draw. (c) “The British. Draughts Player’’- gives S 9 here. (d) 26 23, 19 26 30 23, 11 18, leaves White in trouble—perhaps a loss. (e) Nicely played. (f) The finish looks equal. Game 3161 —“Dundee."

(a) 22 18 is preferred by many. (b) 26 22 is awkward looking, but good White. (c) 11 16 is the regular play. I can find no play on the text. Is it sound? (d) Practicaly forced. (e) It is sometimes fatal to “think twice.” The original intention of 13 9, 6 13, 15 10 is much better here. (f) Caught! Black now forces a neat win. DRAUGHTS ITEMS. Otago Club. —The handicap tourney is still unfinished, the distractions of the general election interfering with the games. Melbourne Town v. Country.—This year's contest showed a marked decrease in number of players engaged, only 45 boards being engaged. The scores were Town 82, Country 62, and 70 draws. This was the 20lh annual event, the late D. R. Hay being the founder in 1891. . The famous Mr Melvin Brown, of 'Mew York, was recently on a visit to the Heligoland, and, before he went home, he pi\ ’»d his thorough sportsmanship by putting tip b substantial purse for a small tourney among seven of the best London players. Mr C. Wheeler acted as stakeholder. The competitors were J. E. Barlow, J. Birkinshaw, H.

Fricker, J. Lyons, P. A. Crabbe. F. Toschelcit, and W. Coleman. Tescheleit played two games with Coleman and won both. Then he failed to keep the appointments to conclude, and resigned. Barlow won two games from Birkinshaw. He scored 8J points and ran out an easy winer. Birkinshaw secured the first game off Fricker, who did not play the second game, and the veteran claimed it. Birkinshaw and Coleman tied for second and third prizes with 6 points each. Crabbe had SJ, Pricker 5, and J. Lyons 4£. SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS. Problem 4155 (by G. H. Slocum).—Black: 8; kings 9, 22, 25. White: 6; kings 3, 12, 28. White to play and win.

Problem 4156 (by W. Gardner). —Black men: 2, 21, 23; king 31. While men; 32; kings 19, 22. Black to play and win.

(a.) The position is now practically the same as Dr Brown’s composition that was said to puzzle the old-time English champion, Harper Colthard, the king being on 29 instead of 30. The story is told that the Newcastle schoolmaster retired to bed afier spending some hours on the problem without success. Sleep would not come, as in the darkness the active brain continued to picture the board and men before him. At last the idea came, and, rising, he hastily secured his board and a light, with which he soon set his mind at rest. Whites have the move, the puzzle being how to take advantage thereof. The thirteenth move decides the question, that being giving the change of command from the king to the minor piece, thus placing the former at liberty for other service.

Black : Faulkner White Egan. 9 i. • u 7 5 9 ,s ; i ii 15 2 17 i2 17 i-1 li 3i 27 :4 B uO 1 11 1 5 ■1 8 7 0 Si i4 It 15 12 19 2' -.9 -7 14 7 27 23 ::o 23 h. 6 9. A 1! IS c S KJ 15 8 D to 24 14 17 17 i:t 23 4 25 .2 22 5 28 19 16 i 2 ii 9 1' t8 5 i i 27 10 > . 7 2 26 - -B 7 ! ' ■' 3 < 19 o Drawi..

Black ; Egan. White : Faulkner. 9 I • 4 8 15 i9-c 5 13 .2 F 5 9 2. 17 •;:) a 28- n 23 6 11 8 2S 4 11 io 8 II 10 15 u 17 2 • ' 20 27 25 22 'H (7 19 10 21 l! 8 4 3 > 24 8 1|-A 18 .0 7 U 9 25 25 3 1 9 I ■ 17 13 25 2 1 13 9-k 30 21 4 8 24 2‘11 1> : 11 >5 0 i3 .5 18 30 5 22 17 24 9 B 19 H 27 ■Ik ’8 r> 8 ■ i 20 1 J5 4 v 19 9 18 22 25 '2 17 3 g). 23 i 1 7 11 5 Brawn

Black : Faulkner. White: Egan. 12 i iU i. -D ,0 11 C '> I fi 24 .0 i5 15 21 li 18 9 l:< 15 F-2(5 2 h I 11 ;5 10 17 5 14 1 * s 12 28 24 29 21 29 .9 22 18 32 27 -E 5 ' 9 14 S 1 H 10 14 17 25 2< 2, 2 22 I7-.\ 17 3 27 2.4 18 I 27 23 2' l! 3 S 4 *-C 17 21 17 22 29 25 23 15 2n 2 IS •V! ;• IS I 2(! B. i s

Ij 1 6 i- 2 " 1H 19 Wliite 8 li 7 ib 9 \.i 15 21 wins. ;i 7 U) 19 12 in ‘ ) >5 s 7

■ 7* :n -i jt . 5 *ZZ .4 1' 22 17 14 !9 26 A-.i- 27 21 211 25 .6 ii 7 3 21 25 *71' *l5 IS 17 a 21 17 14 in 22 29 7 24 (1 C •JO *» 1 : 7 W wii t-