DRAUGHTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3495, 1 March 1921, Page 45

DRAUGHTS.

CONDUCTED BY JOS. ABEKNETHY. Solutions o 1 problems, games, and analyses is- - tor this ooliimn. Games should be written in six columns as below, and all correspondence addressed to the Draughts Editor. PROBLEM 5580. By A. Shepherd, "Waimate. Black.

White. White to play and win. This arises out of play by J. Scott on Bert Titus’s problem, and was given as a draw. PROBLEM 5581. By W. Dunn, Dunedin. Black.

"Whit©. Black to play and win. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS A. S., Waimate.—Thanks for problem. H. F. Treharne, Sydney.—Received. GAMES. VICTORIAN CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES. Following games were played in the final of the 1920 Victorian Championship Tourney between Messrs M'Vean and Aeott, winner and runner-up. Scores and notes from Weekly Times. Game 5640—“ Denny.” Black—M‘Ve an. Whi te—Acott. 10 14 11 18 2 7 110 20 27 15 22 23 19 30 26-c 17 10 25 22 31 24 16 7 14 18-a 811 714 18 25 811 810 22 15 19 35 24 19 29 22 24 20 12 8 11 18 48 59 11 16 12 16 22 26 06 711 914 6 10-D 16 20 10 15 14 18 22 15 22 17 15 6 22 18-B 20 16 Drawn. (a) 11 16 is probably the safest play; but the text is very popular, despite the fact that “Dick” Jordan came to grief with it against Barker. (b) Barker played 21 17 against Jordan, followed by 8 11, 17 13, and then Jordan played 4 8, which is the first weak spot in Black’s game. 9 14 is the correct move, then 25 21 (if 19 15, 4 8), and 11 16. The text was played by Schaefer v. Morrall in the 1903 Great Britain-America match. It is a good' move, and quite equal in strength to 21 17. (c) Schaefer played 21 17 at this stage, and in the 1910 England v. Scotland match Battersby played 19 15 with success against GoldsftxM-o' Following is J. Alexander’s draw on their game: 19 15 37 25 18 8 22 21 19 9 13 9 14 28 24 11 36 23 18-t 10 14 27 23 30 26 7 11 20 11 14 23 18 15 26 5 9 26 23 6 10 27 18 4 8-* 31 27 24 20 18 7.2 15 6 1 10 32 27 Drawn, i Battersby in his notes afterwards claims that 23 19 would win. * Goldsboro’ played 14 18 and lost. (d) Well played, and gives Black a good ending. (s) Safest. 31 27 mav draw: but the shot bv 31 26, 20 27. 19 15, 10 19, 23 16, 12 19, 32 16, loses by 9 13, 16 12, 8 11, 26 23, 10 15, Black wins. Game 5611—“ Denny.” Black—Acott. White—M'Vean. 10 14 26 22 20 27 28 19 12 19 21 14 23 19 11 15 31 24 4 8 23 7 10 17 9 13 22 17 8 11 30 26 2 11 6 2 27 23 7 11 24 20 8 11 26 23 7 10 6 10 - A 17 13 15 24 22 18 11 15 2 6 22 17-B 11 16 28 19 1 5 13 9 D-17 21 13 22 29 25 11 15 18 9 3 7-c 20 36 25 9 16 20 32 28 5 14 9 6 21 25 5 14 25 22 15 24 19 16 14 17 Drawn. (a) Now a 24 19 “Denny” brought up thus:—lo 14,241 9. 6 10, 27 24, 9 13,' and is more usual via this route. (n) In the 13th Scottish Tourney game Ferric played 22 18 against Buchanan, who replied 11 15. 18 11, 8 15" and then Ferrie tried the unlikely looking 23 18; Buchanan taking the piece by 15 22. The annotators suggested 14 23 ns stronger. (ot A critical little ending, hut Black draws it nicely. (n) Only move to draw. 10 14, 6 9, 13 18, 9 13, and White can win. PROBLEM 5501. The author’s solution of this problem, the “Phantom Fox Den,” is now to hand, and readers will doubtless examine it. It is not likely to go unchallenged, and certainly a more exhaustive treatment of the position was looked for. Old Soda Syphons put right free. You can easily put your old Soda Syphon in proper order: Write for free Rubber Washers and pin. enclosing threepence in stamps for postage, to Sharland and Co., I. Wellington.

DRAUGHTS ITEMS. The near approach of Easter suggests the need for quick work in the collecting of necessary funds for the forthcoming championship. tournament at Wellington. It is to be hoped that the present trouble with the watersiders may not militate against the success of the event. The following announcement was received from the secretary by last mail: —lt has been decided to hold the Australasian Championship Draughts Tournament in Sidney next Easter, commencing March 25. Mr H. F. Treliarne, of the State Conservatorium off Music, Sydney, New South Wales, is Honorary Secretary, from whom particulars may be obtained. SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS. Problem 5578 (by D. A. Brodie). —Black on 9, 12, 21, Kings 18, 29. White on 15, 19, 20, 24, 30, King 22. White to play and win. 22 17 9 14 19 15 18 25 15 10 18 11 13 17 11 7 24 19 Black 17 13 14 18 17 22 7 2 wins.

Black on 1, 3, 7, 10, 11. 14, 20. White on 16, 21, 22, 23, 27, 32. Black to play. 11 15 26 23 14 18 17 14 18 22 6 10 32 28 22 26 19 16 15 18 6 2 31 26 1 5 16 11 27 23 14 10 22 26 11 7 22 17 7 16 16 11 22 26 8 11 27 24 20 24 19 12 10 15 8 4 27 23 16 11 27 20 26 31 21 17 26 31 20 16 a-19 15 15 18 17 13 23 19 10 6 26 31 28 19 23 19 31 27 11 8 31 27 2 6 15 6 18 22 23 19 18 22 4 8 23 27 7 2 Drawn. (a) Forms Titus. "Phantom Fox Den. ” —Bert