DRAUGHTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3352, 12 June 1918, Page 45

DRAUGHTS.

CONDUCTED BX JOS. ABERNETHY. Solutions of problems, games, and analyses invited for this column. Games should be written in six columns aB below, and all correspondence addressed to the Draughts Editor.

PROBLEM 4393. By F. E. Hillikeb, Dunedin, Black.

Whit©. Black to play and win. A little ending won cross-board by tha author recently. TO CORRESPONDENTS. F. E. H.—Thank3 for problem. J. 15.., Tapanui.—You are correct in solution to Problem) 4392. Have you files of the column so far back as 31 years? GAMES. The following game was played in Dunediin dvxring A. Jordan's visit here a few years ago. Game 3G36 —"Denny."

Continue: 27 31, 25 22-A, 31 27, 22 18, 4 8, Black won. (a) 9 G draws. So near! Variation I—Ketchurn1 —Ketchurn v. Hopewell:

(b) Not regarded as strong as 22 18. (c) Ferric- used to play 12 16 at once; it seems stronger than the text. (d) Looks like a White win now. Variation 2-rR~-Jordan v. Ferrie:

TOWN v. COUNTRY. The annual gathering of draughts players took place this- year at tlio Draughts Club's rooms in the Y.M.C.A., Moray place, on Wednesday, May 29. 'The following are the scores:—

Mr Joseph Murdoch officiated as Country skipper in the unavoidable absence of his father, Mr Alex. Murdoch, of Waitalruna.; and Mr Robert Caldow captained the Town representatives. At the conclusion of play neat speeches were given by Messrs Jos. Murdoch (Clutha), James Stevenson (Riversdale), .and R. Caldow (Dunedin). Thanks were expressed to the Town players for arranging the match in such a comfortable and central room, .and the hope was expressed that very soon the war cloud would be dissipated and that the Town v. Coiintry matches would resume their old-tim© interest and enthusiasm. Mr Caldow mentioned that the present match completer! 31 years since he first took part in Town r. Country matches; and, as showing that som? draughts players evidently wear well, it will be noticed from the above score sheet that the Town captain signalised the occasion by winning three out of four games from an exceedingly capable opponent. The gathering broke up with cheers for the respective teams. DRAUGHTS ITEMS. Otago Club.—The meetings of the club have been better attended lately, and a few new members have been enrolled, helping to set off the losses incurred during the past year. Visitors are always welcoimo at the club, in i.M.C.A. rooms, Moray place. R. Muir.—Not the least of the Otago Club's losses has to be chronicled in the departure for the front of Mr R. Muir, one of the strongest and most promising members of the club. His best achievement was the winning of the handicap tourney at the Invercargil' gathering in 1915, and he bade fair to enter the front ranks of the Dominion when normal times returned. Private Muir was down on final leave last week, <ind returned to camp on Monday. He was enjoying excellent health. We wish him a speedy and safe return.

Black: A. Jordan. White: F. E. Hilliker. 10 15 25 22 10 17 27 18 1 6 28 19 21 19 11 15 21 14 6 9 25 -21 11 15 15 21 27 21 7 10 29 25 6 9 SO 25 28 19 8 11 14 7 9 14 32 28 15 24 6 10-1 23 4.8 8 10 18 9 9 13 22 18 22 17 14 23 31 27 5 14 24 20 24 27 9 14 17 14 2 6 26 23 15 24 18 9

9 14 .8 11 11 16 27 32 15 10 5 9 19 15-B 25 22 23 18 15 11 8 11 22 18 11 18 11 20 15 19 7 16 10 6 7 2 22 15 26 23 82 28-D 20 11 11 15 18 14 7 10 -C 4 8 19 23 32 27 6 9 9 18 23 19' 22 17 28 19 11 8 30 26 15 22 12 16 8 11 23 27 27 23 9 6 2 7 19 12 17 10 31 24 8 4 26 23 22 18 10 19 6 15 16 22 23 19 6 2 7 10 27 23 29 25 18 15 4 8 23 19 18 23 2 7 20 24-2 23 27 19 15 2 7 10 15 23 16 25 22 24 20 21 17 19 16 23 27 Then 1 6, 27 23, 6 10, 23 27, • 15 18, 16 11, While wins.

5 9 7 10 15 22 10 15 19 26 5 9 25 22 32 27 .26 17 13 9 81 22 15 9 14 11 16 1 5 15 19 16 19 9 13 30 26 22 IS 17 13 9 6 6 1 Drawn.

Country. City. \\ ins. E ra'vi •s. Wins. 0 Jog. Murdoch (cpfc. )3 J. A. Lucas .. 0 p J. Stevenson 3 J. Shanks .. .. 1 3 J. M'Kinnon 0 J. Thompson .. 1 0 E. Townsend 1 R. Galdow (ca t-t,) a 1 J. Corcoran 2 W Parkinson .. i 0 J. Ssalcy .. .. 3 F. Larking .. .. 3 2 A. Shepherd 0 A. Hayward .. 2 2 D. Howatson .. 1 J. R. Rcid .. 2 1 J. Nicholson 0 E. Dounes .. .. 0 4 H. A. Bade 0 W . Morrell .. 0 2 J. Kartigi .. .. 0 D. Scanlan .. 0 2 J. Williamson .. 0 J. Smi+h .. .. 0 20 13 13