DRAUGHTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3418, 19 September 1919, Page 53

DRAUGHTS.

CONDUCTED BY JOS. ABERNETHY. Solutions of problems, games, and analyses inrited for this column. Games should bo written in six columns as below, and all oorrospeiutenoe addressed to the Draughts Editor. PROBLEM 4489. By D. J. Wilson, Rotorua. Black.

White. Black to play, White to draw. This is offered as a correction of a problem by Mr O'Malley, Queenstown, in an. Australian paper, given as a Black win. TO CORRESPONDENTS. Argument.—B is correct—three against two, without any qualification as to position, is greater odds than four against three. If you secure an advantage of a man -ahead early in a game, every exchange thereafter theoretically increases your advantage—it is simply a question of proportion. Practically, also, the possibilities of defensive combination are much greater with three kings than with two. Bore-ham's problem in last issue is a good illustration. Adopting an opening in which you go a- man down i 3 all right if you know it—but you need to know it well. W CM., Queenstown. —Your play and remarks on Problem 4485 are correct. Thanks for game* and promise; also appreciative remarks. D. F., Caversham.—You aro correct in solution to Problem 4485 as far as the finish is concerned, but you have to take two Black moves at once to get it. You should not play 28 24 eo soon. In solution No. 4488 Black can draw by 19 15 instead of your 18 23 for eighth move. Try it again. J. M., Ida Valley.—You are correct in solution to Problem. 4485. In Veal's big problem, No. 4486, merely setting the White win would not do, as the idea is the maximum removal. The correct solution leaves only one piece on the board A. E. J., Maungawera.—You cannot win with 7 11 for fifth move in solution to Problem 4477 At 10th move go 1 5 instead of 1 6 and draw. You are astray in No. 4481 with first move. Try it again. A. S., Waimate. —Tho Draughts World died an unnatural death some years ago. You are correct in various points in Problem 4485. In re No'. 4486, see reply to "J. M." "The Chump," Milton.—You are correct in solutions to Problems 4479 and 4485. Your play and remarks somewhat belio your nom de plume; yet you narrowly missed discovering a dual solution in 4485. Can you got it? "; THE MAGPIE CLUB. Some'years ago, when Mr James Hill was to the fore, he contributed several of his humorous 'Magpie Club ©ketches to this column. His writings are always enjoyed. The following article is from an old scrapbook which came into our possession: The Instructor Discourses on the "Double Corner."— According to contract, a week last Thursday I delivered my discourse I send you an abstract of wliat was said concerning the 9 14 opening:— "In the first place I may tell you the 'Double Corner' is first cousin to the 'Bristol,' 'Denny,' and 'Paisley.' It seems to have besn very much neglected by tho leading exponents of the game during the last 30 years. Neither Anderson, Wyllie, Martins, nor Barker appear to have had any decided preference for it. Consequently until recently its possibilities have been little developed; though J. P. Reed seems to have had a. fondness for, and has done much to popularise, its beauties The earlier books, such as 'Anderson's Second' and the 'American Draughts Player' gave a very few variations. Drummond really developed the game more than any other early author. Then followed 'Janvier's Anderson,' and later 'Robertson's Guide,' which gives 80 variations, ranking it equal in importance with such games as tho 'Fife,' 'Whilter,' 'Dyke,' etc. The 'Double Corner' is now fast becoming one of the most popular of openings, a 3 you may judge from the large number of games that are sent to the numerous draughts columns in all parts of the world." "How do you account for that?" csked Corporal Blil he rs. "Principally," I replied, "because it is a perfectly safe offensive and defensive game. First, it prevents the formation of the 'Single Corner,' which yen all know nine scrubs cut of 10 will force upon you if 11 "15 is played—often to your disgust. And, in the second place, the chances for novelty and of winning are two to one over what they aro with such hackneyed games as the 'Old Fourteenth,' 'Whilter,' and 'Glasgow.' For tho 'highways and byways and queer little sly ways' of playing those old standards are now almost as universally known, and better remembered. than the Ten Commandments. The 9 14 opening also prevents tho formation of those, to a riovice, treacherous openings, such as the 'Second Double Corner,' 'Switcher,' 'Cross,' and 'Dyke.' " "What, the 'Dyke!' How about the Gar-diner-Beattie games, played in the Lancashire and Yorkshire team match?" asked young Snithers. "Gardener forced the game into tho 'Dyke'— not Beat tie," I replied. "But why should he if he could have done better?" "Ah, that you must leave to conjecture; probably Gardiner shrewdly said to himself, 'Beattie has evidently got something "cooked" for me on this 22 17 line, so I'll switch him off into the "Dyke." ' " "But isn't 22 IS much the safer and better lino?" persisted Snithers. "Ah, that is a matter of opinion," I replied. "Now rny theory is " "Aye, aye," broke in M'Nib, "theory is vera good in its way, but I ken many professors who can talk fino theory, but who are no so brilliant at practice. It's practice we want." (I have a private opinion of this M'Nib, which I should publicly express with gratifi-

cation but for the fact that he's the best boxer in the club) "Now," he continued, '(if ye'll tak' six boords, and let six of us play against your cracked up & 14, that will be more like." "Yes, a capital plan," said Corporal Blithers; "it will show us some of the best ways of playing- it." So this was done, and the following were my opponents:—Blithers, M'Nib, Boyle, Throttle, Snithers, and Professor Muzzlehoffer; the other members looking on. Following is the play. The notes refer to my observations as the games progressed: First Board—White, Corporal Blithers.

Drawn. (a) This, you will see, is the orthodox "cut"; 11 16 is fully as good. (b) Now, beware of 27 24, 16 20, 32 28, 20 27, 31 24, 10 15, Black wins—a famous trap tho exhibition players always fish for. (c) I might have played 1 5, then 27 24, 16 20, 32 28,. 20 27, 31 24, is good. Second Board—" White, N. Snithers.

And a critical draw for White. (a) Gardiner against Beattie might have played in this style. (b) 24 19 or 17 13 may be played, but the latter is hardly so strong. (c) If I had played 11 16, 28 24, 4 8, 17 13, 8 11, 22 18, 14 17*, White wins. (d) Now, 25 22, 11 16, 22 18, 7 11, 18 9, 5 14, 26 22, 11 15, 23 18, is sound. Third Board—White, Dr Throttle.

(a) I have played 16 19, 23 16, 14 23, 26 19, 8 11, 24 20, and drawn; but I have doubts about its soundness. (is) 16 20 is also good. (c) 25 22 loses. Fourth Board—White, Mr Boyle.

(a) In 8 11, 22 18, 11 16, 18 9, there is room for -variety. (b) And this gives an easy draw, as played by Freeman and Heffner; but Boyle hero played 31 26, 9 13*, 28 24, 16 19, 24 15, 10 19, 23 16, 12 19, and got into trouble. Fifth Board—"White l , Herr Muzzlehoffer.

(a) This you will not© is the only move to frustrate the genuine ‘‘Double Corner.” (e) 11 16, 20 11, 8 15 is no more satisfactory, (c) This is practically the “Defiance.” ■Sixth Board—White, Mr M'Nib.

(a) “You will observe,” Mr M'Nib, if 1 bad played 11 15, 22 13, 15 24, 18 9, 23 19, 5 14, it’a the ‘.Second Double Corner.’ ” “I ken that weel,” said Mac, “but it’s tho ‘Third Double Corner” I’m looking for.” (b) 8 11, 18 9, 5 14, ami it proceeds into the “Parsley.” (c) “Ah! that is weak,” I observed; "30 26 is better.” “Never you mind,” retorted) M'Nib; “I’m not playing on theory I’ll find you something to do before we’ve done this game.” So we proceeded. - (d) “Now, again, you inight have done better with 31 26.” “Now, Mr Instructor, just wait till I’ve done; yen'll be satisfied. I cut my eye-teeth, and kenned a trick or two at Pollockshaws before coming here.” (e) Up to this point Mac had sailed along with as much confidence as an .American corn doctor. Here he suddenly paused, squirmed) in liia ohair, rubbed the tip of his nose for inspiration, grasped both ears, and then proceeded thus—2B 24, 16 19, 23 16, 12 28, 21 17, 20 24, 27 20, 15 19, 20 16, 19 23, 16 12, 23 26, and, taking the three-for-three, ho lost the man on 17. When he’d given the problem up, Blithers showed him the solution—3l 26, 22 31, 18 14, 31 27, 23 3, 9 27, drawn; after which he was as quiet and meek as a mummy. And later on, when Dr Throttle proposed a vote of thanks to the instructor, ho actually seconded the motion. J. H.

9 14 8 24 11 16 14 21 7 11 22 18 28 19 29 25-B 23 5 27 23 5 9 4 8 7 11-C 16 23 11 16 24 19 25 22 18 15 26 19 81 26 11 15-A. 8 11 ■ 11 18 3 7 6 9 18 11 22 18 21 17 25 22 32 23

9 14 8 11 4 8 14 18 2 18 22 17 24 19 22 17 26 23 27 24 11 16 11 15-C 8 11 10 15 20 27 25 22 17 13 19 16-D 23 14 81 24 16 20-A 15 24 12 19 6 9 * 29 25-B 28 19 23 16 13 6

9 14 8 11-A 7 10 12 19 7 11 22 18 18 15 27 24 82 27 16 7 .5 9 11 18 10 19 4 8 3 19 25 22 22 15 24 15 27 23-C 31 27 11 16 10 19 16 19-B 2 7 Drawn 29 25 24 15 23 16 23 16

9 14 5 9-A 4 11 7 10 6 9 23 19 22 18 18 15 25 22 22 18 11 16 8 11 11 18 S ? 2 6 27 23 19 15 21 17 26 23 25 22 16 20 10 19 14 21 T 11 11 16 32 27 24 8 23 5 29 25 B-28 24 Drawn

9 14 5 14 8 11 11 15 6 15 24 20-a 20 25 27 23 31 28 17 10 11 15-B 6 9-c 2 6 15 24 7 14 23 18 25 22 22 17 28 19 26 22 15 22 9 13 13 22 10 15 15 19 25 0 23 19 26 17 19 10 Drawn.

9 14 16 20 11 13 14 17 7 10 24 19 22 17 18 11 21 14 15 11 11 16-a 8 11 7 16 10 17 E-10 15 22 18 17 13-c 26 22 25 21 5 9-b 1 5 3 7 17 22 26 22 ' 30 26-d 22 18 19 15