DRAUGHTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3195, 9 June 1915, Page 67

DRAUGHTS.

Conducted by Jos. Abeenethy,

Solutions of problems, games, and analyses invited for this column. (James should be written in six columns os below, and all correspondence tddressed to the Draughts Editor.

PROBLEM 4202. By D. A. Brodie, Dunedin

White to play and draw

PROBLEM 4203. By W. G. W. Leggett, London

White to play and win

A Waimate correspondent sends the above witli play, expressing his belief that Black can draw. What do readers think ?

TO CORRESPONDENTS

W. H. H., Waipahi.—Yon are correct in solution to Problem 4201. Your notes handed over to Mr Thompson. D. EL, Hawea Fiat.—Your solution to Problem 4201 is correct. G. D., Manaia.—Play was forwarded by

return mail. J. F., Wanganui.—You are correct in* solutions to Problems 4X97 and. 4198. D. 8., Tapanui.—You are correct in solutions to Problems 4197 and 4198. GAMES. Game 3230— “ Fife.” By Frank Hewitt, in Pittsburgh Despatch.

Then 16 19, 6 9, and White wins. (a) I deem 6 9 needful for a draw. F. H. (x) The mighty Jordan (Richard) considered this a loss. X have never seen his continuation.—F. H. (b) Forms position; —-Black men on 1,2, 3,4, 6, 11, 18; White men on 5, 13, 14, 21, 23, 24, 28, 32. . White to play and win:

White wins. (A) 3 7, 21 17, 7 10, 24 20, 4 8, 28T24, 10 14(x), 17 10, 6 15, 96, 1 10, 5 1,2 6(y), 15, 10 14, 51, '6 10, 16, 14 17, 62, 8 12, 26, 10 14, 23 19. —White wins.

(X)’ll 15, 23.19, 15 18, 20 16, 18 23, 16 12. White wins, or (x) 8 12, 23 19, 11 15, 20 16, 15 18, 16 11. — White wins. (y) 8 12, 1 6, 12 16, 6 2, 10 14, 2 7. —White wins, or (y) 10 14, 23 19, 15 18, 1 6.—White wins. (y) 27, 1 6. —White wins. (b) 1 10, 13 9, 15 18fx), 5 1, 10 15, 1 6, 12 16, 6 10, 16 19, 10 14, 19 28, 14 23, 28 32, 95, 2 6(y), 5 1, 6 9, I 6.—White wins. (X) 12 16, 6 1, 10 14(z), 17 10, 16 19, 10 7. — White wins.

(z) 27, 16, 16 19, 6 2.—White wins. (y) 32 28, 51, 28 32, 17 13, 27, 1 6—White wins.

(c) 12 16, 28 24, 3 8, 24 19, 8 12, 17 14. White wins.

The following interesting game was played at San Francisco in the last Pacific Coast tonrney, between Messrs Bradford and Hopewell, and contains a neat piece of end play well worth taking notice of. Game 3231. —“Double Corner.”

And 20 27, 31 24, 25 30, 23 19, 15 18, 10 15. White -wins.

(a) Better than 14 18. (b) 27 23 is sometimes played here. It leads to interesting play. (c) Loses, 7 11 will draw. (d) Note the beautiful win from here.

A NEAT DRAW. An interesting game was played recently in Philadelphia, P-a., between Louis Ginsberg and Charles Higgins. How Black could have drawn by a neat play is demonstrated in variation (b). Game 3232.—“ Dundee.”

(b) Loses. Following play shows a neat draw ;

(a) Forms a practical problem. White to move and draw.

(b) If 24 17, White has it easy by 21 17, etc

TOWN v. COUNTRY,

The annual draughts match between the Town and Country players took place at the Early Settlors’ Hall on Thursday evening, when there was a good attendance, 160 competitors taking part. The pairing of such a largo number of opponents was a somewhat arduous undertaking, but the work was accomplished by 8 o’clock, giving over two hours for play. Mr A. Murdoch (Country captain) was assisted by Messrs M. M'Lcod (Gore) and Fleming (Otokia). and the Town secretary (Mr F. E. Hilliker) and captain (Mr J. Abcrnethy) supervised arrangements for the Town team. Play concluded at 10.30, when the score sheet showed a victory for the Town by 7 games. The scores were as follows: —- Town. Country. Wins. Draws. Wins.

Mr Aberncthy, in announcing the scores, congratulated the Country team on their excellent score. Last year the Country won by 16 games, so that on the two years the visitors were 9 wins ahead. The success of the Town team was largely due to the efforts of the secretary (Mr Hilliker) and Mr J. S. Shanks, who deserved the thanks of both teams. (Mr Murdoch briefly responded on behalf of the Country, and thanked the Town for their entertainment. He felt confident of regaining their laurels next year. Mr Hilliker, in responding to a vote of thanks, referred to the progress of the game in Otago and Southland, apd mentioned that Invercargill had inaugurated a Town v. Country match, which promised to become of importance to the south. After the usual exchange of_ courtesies, the gathering concluded by singing thc( National Anthem. It is worthy of note that the teams comprised two clever young players, aged respectively nine and eleven years; whilst at another table sat a pair of worthy citizens who had both turned 85 years, and were yet as keen as the youngsters. They were Messrs Stewart (Woodhaugh) and Fraser (Outram). The big-tcam match was preceded by a simultaneous exhibition by Messrs F. Hilliker and J. A. Lucas, the well-known Dunedin experts. Both players contested simultaneous games against 12 or 13 players each during the afternoon, with pleasure to their opponents and credit to themselves. This part of the annual gathering is always much appreciated by visitors.

PUZZLES FOR A WINTER’S NIGHT. Tho following puzzles are from a Homo paper, with comments by the draughts editor of the Yorkshire, Weekly Post:—;

Puzzle 1. —What is the maximum number of pieces that may be captured in one move? And in how many different routes can the men be captured? Puzzle 2.—Place ten draughts men on the board, so that there are five lines with four men in each line. As an example, we give the following solution:—Number the squares from 1 to 64, starting at the top left-hand corner, then place men on squares 4, 19, 21, 28, 34, 35, 37, 38, 49, 55. This makes straight

lines from 4 to 49, 4 to 55, 19 to 55. 91 to 49, and 34 to 38. Puzzle 3. —Numbering the squares in any row on the hoard 1 to 8, place Black men on squares 1,2, 3. and White men on squares 5,6, 7 (square 8 is not used). The Black men now move only to the right, and the White men only to the left. They may go to the next vacant square or leap over one man of the opposite colour to a vacant square beyond. Required to interchange the two sets of men. Example moves, 3 4, 5 3, 4 5. The above puzzle, with the six men, is due to the late P. G. Tait, Professor of Physics at Edinburgh, and was composed about ISB4. As an extension on this, making it a trifle more difficult, we propose to add another White man on square S. Again interchange ' the pieces, bringing the White men to squares 1. 2,3, 4, and the Black to squares 6, 7. 8. The solution requires 19 moves. Our contemporary is in error as to the date of composition of the six men puzzle. Wo find it diagrammed on Page 8G of the “New England Checker Player” for April, 1880. It may have appeared before that, as no authorshin is given.—Draughts Editor Y.W.P. Puzzle 4.—Set the men as for play. Then play a legal game which shall reverse the whole position, leaving the twelve White men ■ on 1 to 12, and the twelve Black men on 21 to 32. This “draughts zig-zag” is said to have first Irsen proposed in the "Boys’ Own Paper.” It is, to our mind, a most interesting study, and we wish cur readers, in spite of its difficulty. to have a good try at it. The solution sent by Mr Dawson runs into 144 moves. Can any of our solvers shorten it ? Our first acquaintance with the “Interchange,” as it is called, occurred when reading “Lyman’s Problem Book.” 1881. where, on page 69, Dr T. Brown, Limerick, illustrates it, taking 172 moves to complete the task. We believe it appeared before that date in the “Gentleman’s Journal.” It was reproduced in the “Draughts World,” May. 1909, and in the December issue of 1911 this was supplemented by Mr J. A. Finn. Pittsburg, who demonstrated that it can he done in other ways, and gives a game where all the pieces enter the opposing crown-head once, this taking 204 moves to accomplish. He then proceeds to return to the starting point, which he -aceonmlishes in 188 moves. — Draughts Editor, Y.W.P. Puzzle s.—This is really a problem on the “Losing Game.” Place all the Black men as for play on squares 1 to 12. While man on 29. Black to play and lose all his men. This appeared in the “Boys’ Own Paper.” 'Composer unknown. There are other two of the same set of problems. Black men on squares 1 to 12. A White man on either 28 or 32. Black to nlav and lose all his men. —Draughts Editor, Y.W.P. Puzzle 6.—The last puzzle is a true draughts problem, with a most remarkable final position. Black 3,4, 8, 12, 15, 18. 19, 23, 24. White 5,6, 9, 10, 11, .14, 25. AYhite to play and draw. Any readers knowing of other draughts puzzles which are of universal interest would confer a favour hy sending them to us.

11 15 12 19 10 14 10 15 8 12 6 15 23 19 26 23 22 18 18 14 24 20 9 6 9 14 19 26 14 23 15 18-A 11 15-x 2 9 22 17 30 6 27 18 14 9-B 28 24 13 6 5 9 15 18 8' 11 18 27 3 8 1 10 17 13 25 22 31 26 32 23 23 19 5 1 14 18 18 25 7 10 4 8 8 11 12 16 19 16 29 22 26 23 21 17 19 10 1 6

14 9 21 17 28 24 19 10 13 6 1 6 18 27 8 12 3 8 6 15 1 10 16 19 32 23 24 20 23 19 9 6 5 1 6 9 4 8-A 11 15-C 8 11 2 9-b 12 16

Black: Bradford. White : Hopewell. 9 14 19 16 6 13 26 22 10 17 12 8 23 19 12 19 29 25 11 15 18 14 10 15 11 16-A 24 8 10 14 32 27 17 22-c 8 3 26 23-b 4 11 25 22 15 24 19 16-d 7 11 16 20 23 19 7 10 28 19 22 25 3 8 30 26 9 13 22 18 3 7 16 22 13 17 59 27 23 1 5 22 18 2 6 8 12 22 17 13 22 18 9 14 17 14 9 17 22 8 11 25 9 5 14 21 14 G 10 27 24

Black; Ginsberg-. White: Higgins. 12 16 11 15 8 7 4 8 8 11 B-ll 16 24 20 20 11 18 22 18 82 28 24 20 8 12 15 24 7 16 6 9 16 20 16 19 28 24 27 20 18 9 -29 25 28 24 23 16 9 14 7 16 5 14 1 6 20 27 White 24-19-a 20 11 25 22 25 22 31 r wins. (a) This is a good, strong line lor White.

12 16 23 7 20 24-a 25 22 31 27 6 2 21 19 2 11 17 13 27 31 9 6 18 oo 16 20 22 17 9 14-b 22 17 27 23 0 6 19 15 11 23 30 25 6 10 19 15 23 Draw 18 10 19 26 19 24 27 13 9 11 18 r n.

1 J. A. Lucas 2 J. Murdoch 1 1 J. A. Borcham 2 T. Rea 1 2 D. Brodie 2 W . Davis 0 3 J. M. Hutton 1 G. Hay 0 3 R. Muir 0 R. M'Latchie 0 0 P. Mark 4 J. Christie 0 0 A. Ross 1 A. Sinclair 1 0 L. Edwards 2 Geo. M'Kay 2 0 J. Christie 2 J. Chapman 0 0 J. Abcrnethy A. Murdoch 0 (captain) 2 (captain) 0 H. Holden 0 A. B. Stewart 1 0 F. Pithio 0 A. P. Fleming 3 1 A. Rawlinson 0 D. Rush 3 3 J. B. Shanks 0 G. W. Johnstone 1 0 A. Hart 3 j. Macfarlane 1 3 J. W. Tli ora son 0 D. Sinclair 1 3 J. Peterson 0 D. H. Sinclair 1 3 J. Botting 0 J. Murdoch 1 3 A. Davidson 0 J. Williamson 1 3 T. Spence 0 S. Boreham 1 3 H. L. Gill 0 H. Flett -» -1 2 W. . Meldrum 2 T. Mitchell 0 2 J. Farquharson 0 M. M‘Lood 0 1 J. M'Laren 1 W. M‘Lean 2 1 A. Reid 1 A. Thomson 2 3 J. Marcella 1 D. Gibb 0 1 N. M'Lean C. Todd 2 0 J. Veitch 6 E. J elf erson 4 0 P. Barrett 0 W. Brunton 2 0 F. Sims 2 S. Taylor 2 0 J. Kay i W. Harrison 3 0 J. B. Hutton 0 Jas. Cockrano 4 C D Howatsou ■J G. S. Wilson 2 1 G. Walsh 2 J. P. Wilson 1 2 ■ A. Mitchell 1 C. N. Warner 1 2 A. Hayward 0 M. M'Lean 2 1 D. Scanlan 1 W. W att 2 1 W Parkinson 0 J. Borrio 3 3 J. Harrison 0 J. Jones 1 2 w . Stewart 0 W. , Thompson 2 3 A. Brown 1 A. MTntosh 0 4 R. S. Allan 0 A. Baxter 0 2 J. Sanders 1 S. Majoribanks 1 0 W. Duncan 2 Geo. Smith 0 2 W. Stewart, sen. 0 W . Fraser 2 2 J. Braid 1 w, . Robertson 1 2 T. Tily 2 J. H. Millar 0 3 T. Sanders 0 J. MTTardy 1 2 J. Gilmott 1 T. Duncan 1 1 H. Hortle 1 T. Slater 2 2 W. Williams 1 A. Moe 1 0 C. Smith 0 L. Edwards 4 1 S. Gill 0 J. Byers 3 1 B. W atson 2 J. Wilson 1 2 J. Hastie 0 J. Garland 2 0 A. Tiltman o. R. Ross 4 2 R. Joyce 0 R. Coffey 2 0 J. Wvlio 3 F. M'Farlanc 0 1 W. Turgood 1 G. Cousins 1 1 A. Robinson 0 D. Rose 1 0 M . Hutton 0 T. Milne 4 1 D. Johnstone 1 R. Burns 1 3 W . Ewen 0 E. Townsend 1 0 W . Devlin 4 J. Hope 0 3 H. Duncan 0 J. Moffitt 1 1 D. P. Cameron 1 w. Small 1 2 J. Dickson 0 N. Dickson 2 3 W . Kerr 1 J. M'Donald 0 2 D. M‘Kay 0 J. Wilts 2 1 Alb. George 1 D. M‘Rae 2 2 W . MTvcnzie , .0 D. Spring 2 3 J. Larking 1 J. Anderson 0 0 J. Fraser 2 R. P. Brown 0 0 D. Thompson 1 J. Irvine 3 1 J. M‘Rao 1 D. Porteous 1 1 2 D. R. Davis Harness 0 0 H. W. Gray Sutherland 3 2 4 J. H. S. Dixon 0 Geo. Gorman 0 2 G. Grey 0 R. Dobson 2 1 D. E. Reid 2 W. Smith 1