DRAUGHTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3398, 30 April 1919, Page 47

DRAUGHTS.

CONDUCTED BY JOS. ABEBNETHY. Solutions of problems, games, and analyses Invited for this column. Games should be written in six columns as below, and all correspondence addressed to the Draughts Editor.

PROBLEM 4459. By A. Sbepheed, "Wa-imato.

Black.

White.

Black to play and win.

TO CORRESPONDENTS. D. C, Huntly.—Pleased to receive your welcome letter with its good news. Yes, the styles of play will be the two-lifo knock-out. W. M'C, Timaru.—Thenks for note. Congratulations on your original methods of augmenting the funds. GAMES. Mr J. A. Boreham writes as follows under date April 23:—"1 had a trip up tp Naseby last week, and by the time my business was over it was too late to return to town that day, eo I decided to train up to Wedderbum, where I was sure of a hearty welcome. My companion and I were resting in the sitting room of the hotel discussing a game of whist, when a yonng lady of some 21 years entered the room. 'Good evening, Mx Borefiam. I suppose you dton't remember me?' she asked, with a smile. 'I am sorry I cannot,' I replied. 'You remember Mir Elliot?' I searched my memory for a moment, and my old friend Lou Elliot oaotne to mind. I mentioned the-name, and was right. 'Yes, he is my father;. and I remember you qtiite well staying at our home " and playing draughts all night with him." Wo had a very nice chat about that visit, then my lady friend casually mentioned that she sometimes had. a game with her father, but was out of practice; but if there was" a board, she would! like to play me a game. I bad my pocket board, which I produced, and Miss Elliot played a fairly good game, which ended in a draw. I enjoyed the game, and asked her to play another. She was well pleased at making a level score with mo, but declined to play further, as she determined to keep level. At this stage a gentleman walked! into the room and was introduced by Miss Elliot as champion of Ranfurly. We had a few games> one of which I give below. When I got up next morning I found my opponent still analysing this game, and we had a few more games before the train left. After hearty invitations to visit them if I came that way again, we shook hand and said bood-bye. Following are the two games:

(a) A draw could be found from here, but it was getting late and I trusted my oppo nent would blunder first, but I was wrong. (b) 25 22 would! have given me a much better fight, but it would lose also. AUSTRALASIAN AND SOUTH SEAS CHAMPIONSHIP. Mr W. M'Clatchy, secretary for the forthcoming championship tournament at Timia.ru, writes as follows under date April 15:—"The Second South Canterbury Regimental Band gave an excellent concert on the Bay last evening, when, despite a cold wind, there was a good attendance. The band played extremely well under the baton of Mr A. Schnaek, and applause greeted the conclusion of each item. A collection was taken up in aid of the coming draughts championships, which are to be held in Timaru this year, and met with a good! response. Mr A. Beck, the president of the Draughts Club, thanked the band for their kindness in providing such a good concert." With such a spirit of enter, prise in Timaru, there need bo no fear abotit the successful consummation of the tourney. Mr D. Golderwood, Huntly, informs us that he purposes talcing pant in tho championship contest, to be held at Timaru in September. This will be good news to all lovers of the game, as the tournament could hardly bo a satisfactory one without him. BOREHAM'S TOUR, In the course of a letter under date ApTil 14 Mr D. Caldcrwood, Huntly, says of liorehum's proposed tour:—"There is no dloubt but a tour of this description would benefit the game throughout New Zealand. This is not a draughts-playing district, but you can include Huntly in tho tour, as I will gather the best talent together for a - night's playing." DRAUGHTS ITEMS. The annual meeting of the Lanarkshire Draughts Association was held in Motherwell in February. There was a large attendance of members, Mr J. Lees (president) in the chair. The reports showed the association to be in a good position, with a membership of 58, and a credit balanoe of over £3. The following were elected office-bearero:—Hon. presidents, Mr C. Brown and Bailie Smith;

vice-presidents—Messrs W. M'Farlane, -n. M'Grogor, E. Hamilton, and P. Clark; president, J. Lees; secretary, J. Yoxmg; treasurer, J. Donaldson; with a. committee of 11. It was agreed to hold the annual tourney on the same conditions as formerly. The Glasgow championship this year opened with a record entry of 61 competitors, including Sweeney, Burns,. and Brydsn, the Scottish tourney players. This looks healthy for the game in the Old Land. Death of J. A. Kear, sen. —We have to announce, with much regret, the death of Mr J. A. Kear, sen., at his residence at Bristol, on February 11. He was the doyen of English draughts players, and was greatly respected throughout the country. In the Glasgow district ho had many attached friends, who will sincerely mourn his decease. In his prime he was a strong cross-board player, and represented England against Scotland on three ocoasions—1884, 1894, and 1899. In the course of a busy life ho rendered invaluable service to the literature of the* game, having edited, among other publications, the International Draughts Magazine and the Draughts Players' Quarterly He-view. He issued in 1899 an admirable edition of "Sturges's Guide," features of which were a history of the game and! appendices dealing with 'Turkish, Spanish, Polish, German, and Italian draughts. He was also associated with his son, Mr J. A. Kear, in the publication of that excellent work, "The Encyclopaedia of Draughts." Mr Kear was one of Nature's gentlemen.—Glasgow Herald Banks and Ferric.—Mr "W. Birrell writes as follows in the Glasgow Herald in February:—"Corporal N. W. Banks has again returned to the attack, wishing a match with Fercio about February 22. I have informed him that no match can bo dieoussad until he actually appears in person to back up' his challenge. An application for leave has been sent to ih& military authorities, and if the reply is satisfactory, then Banks has no excuse if he fails to appear. If, on the other hand, no furlough is granted, then all chal lenges will rightly be ignored. Too much time and money have already been spent on useless oorrespondlance. At his request, the S.D. Association madle arrangements for a visit from him at the New lear, and Mr A. Smith, president, sent on expensive telegram to his headquarters, but all to no purpose. To ignore a telegram which he expected is puzzling."

Game 8725—“Whilter.” Black: Miss Elliot. White; Boreham. 11 15 16 23 6 15 15 18 22 26 10 15 23 19 27 11 13 6 22 15 23 18 6 1 7 11 8 15 1 10 8 11 26 81 15 18 22 17 22 17 80 23 . 15 8 17 13 1 6 9 14 12 16 10 14 8 28 81 26 18 23 25 22 26 23 25 22 81 26 18 14 6 10 B 9 15 19 4 8 14 18 2 6 23 27 17 13 24 15 28 24 21 17 14 9 Daarwn. 11 16 10 26 16 19-b 18 22 6 10 29 25-a 17 10 23 16 26 23 9 5 (a) 26 23 is more complicated. B) I thong ht my fair opponent might go astray from 1 xere. but sho took the easy way to draw. I kept going in hopes of 3n blunder that never came. Game 8726 —“Old Fourteenth.’’ Black: A. T. N) . iSimjpaon. White: Boreham. 11 15 15 18 2 7 6 15 16 23 6 14 23 19 24 20 23 14 13 9-a 9 6 29 22 8 11 11 15 9 18 12 16 1 10 14 18 22 17 28 24 80 26 26 23 25 22 22 17 4 8 7 11 10 14 8 12 18 25 10 14 17 13 26 23 19 10 23 19-B 27 9 B.wins