DRAUGHTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3756, 9 March 1926, Page 73

DRAUGHTS.

CONDUCTED BT JOS. ABBBNSTfIT.

eolations o 1 problems, game*, end analyte* inTiled lor this column. Games should be written to six ool umns as below, and all eorreepondenoa addressed to the Draughts Editor.

PROBLEM 5981. By J. Hooo,'in the Northern Weekly Leach [Black.]

[White.] White to play and win, A highly critical end-game.

PROBLEM 5982. By W. L. Warrington, Aberystwyth, [Black.]

[White.] White to play and win. A neat conception, which will please the solver who loves the ornate style. # GAMES. The two following games were played m the New Zealand Cbe.mpionship Tourney at Gore, Boater, 1.02 i; between Messrs Henry and Sutherland, both of Invercargill. Game GOciS—'‘Kelso.”

(Annotated by Jas. Seccot, Dunedin). (a) 22 18 is perhaps the sr.fcst lino to adopt. (n) 23 18 is White’s best line. The text, followed by 23 25 cramps the White Single Corner. (c) 24 19 would be much better. Gams 6303—“Ke150.” Sutherland’s move.

15 19 24 20 7 23 30 21 23 27 (A) 30 21 is perhaps stronger than the text. (b) In a correspondence game Beccct v. Sutherland, this position was brought up from a 9 13, 22 18 opening. I played 12 10 here, and the game resulted in a draw. Sec Variation 1 below. (c) This appears to lose; 7 10, 14 7, 3 10, 15 6, 1 10, 22 18, 10 14, 18 9, 5 11, draws.

1C 23 19 17 21 19 12 9 27 17 13 Drawn. NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIP. Sir, —Re our forthcoming Draughts Championship Tourney—there are a few details I would like to bring to the notice of your readers and intending competitors. From information that has come forward, we are expecting an entry of about 24 players. It is practically certain now that the executive will decide to play the tourney in sections, the winners of sections (probably four) to play off for the championship, and the rest of the players to finish in a handicap tourney. I understand the various subscription lists are being well supported, and a generous prize list may be offered. The Housing Committee has matters in hand, and will be able to find reasonable accommodation for any visiting players who may need it. It is advisable though that players should send in their entry at once, and state if they want accommodation secured for them, as rooms are being quickly booked up for the Easter holidays. So far everything points to a very successful tourney. It is proposed to start play at 9 a.m. on Good Friday, April 2. The Mayor (Mr H. L. Tapley), has kindly consented to formally open proceedings. As secretary I wish to emphasise the necessity of collectors completing and returning their lists, intending competitors sending in their entries, and those wishing accommodation provided to state their reSuiremonta.— I am, etc., as. Beecot, Hon. Sec. and Treas., Tourney Committee. March 4, 1926. NOTES. Mr Jas. Gardiner, Nelson, is unable to take part in the Exhibition Tournament. The flame remark applies to Messrs F. E. Hilliker and W. Penman. Mr J. A. Lucas is fairly certain as a ■tarter. Messrs Botting, Moore. Petersen, Bolting junr., Kendall, and TiUWes are

practically sure Dunedinites, in addition to Lucas; T. Rea is expected, and tv. Carswell, Mosgiel will again enter the lists. The committee hope to get the tournament through in five days. This can be done by playing in sections, and allotting prizes for each section. The Exhibition, with ita multitude of calls, for money, makes it very hard to secure funds locally. There never was more need of outside help. SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIP. Campbell Retains His Title. The thirty-second contest for the Scottish Championship (Says Glasgow Weekly Herald) held in Glasgow at New Year, resulted in J. Campbell, a young Glasgow player, retaining the title he won so gallantly at Aberdeen last year. In the final he met W. Rodgers, another Glasgow expert, whom he defeated by two wins to 0, 3 games drawn. The tournament was a decided success, and indicated that the revival of interest in the game which took place two years ago is spreading steadily. Champion’s Career. John Campbell, who is 23 years of age, started playing draughts about six years ago, and first came into prominence through St. Rollox Unionist Draughts Club, of which he is a member. HU first victory was the winning of the Glasgow Draughts Championship in 1921 from a large entry, beating John Spence in the final. His next triumph was the winning of the Scottish Draught* Championship held at Aberdeen in 1925, defeating H. Christie, of Sunderland, in the final by 1 win and 5 draws. He also played in the contest between Scotland and England held at Manchester last Easter. William Rodgers, the runner-up, is 36 years of age, and is a well-known player in Glasgow. He has been a member of the Cowlairs Draughts Club for a number of years, and has competed in the Scottish Championship five times. He reached the semifinal in 1917, being beaten bv A. B. Scott. He won the Glasgow Draughts Championship in 1921, and was runner-up to J. Burns in 1923. The prize winuers were as follows: £2O and Championship of Scotland, J. Campbell (Glasgow); last year’s winner. .£lO, W. Rodgers (Glasgow). Third and fourth prizes of £6 and £i divided by W. H. Johnstone (Glasgow'., and A. Inglis (Burnbank). Four prizes of £1 each, J. Love, sen (Renfrew), J. Love, jun. (Renfrew), H. Barr (Motherwell), and P. Sweeney (Glasgow). Draughts-item's. The big match of 40 games for £IOO a side between S. Cohen and G. O’Connor is to start in Glasgow on Easter Monday, April 5. Apparently this was the only date available for the English champion, but it is rather unfortunate that it clashes with the British Championship tournament, which is to be played at Easter also. It would have been more interesting had Cohen been a starter for the British title. The Championship committee of the E.D.A. have decide to commence the competition for the British Championship on Monday, April 5. There will he three sessions daily under the English tournament regulations, which include playing under the clock system, 35 moves per half hour. Six games will form a tie (this may bo reduced to four if there is a large entry). The “barred” opening will be played to break undecided ties. The prizes arc;‘-First, £25; second, £10; third, £6: fourth. £*; and there will also be consolation prizes. SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS. Problem 5977 (by TV. Veal).—Black on 3. kings 10, 25. While on 18. 21, 2?, ’:ing 8. Black to play, White to win. 25 22 30 17 2 6 22 18 0 33 18 II 2i 11 8 It H 10 22 Zt White wins. Problem 3978 (by E. Childs, Liverpool,! Black men on 2,4, kings 35, 26. White men on 17, 23, kings 1, 12. White to move and draw.

Henry’s move. 10 15 23 1G G 30 23 15 35 18 22 18 22 17-a 12 39 22 17 33 10 31 19 14 23 11 10 21 20 8 12 28 23 11 15 17 34 25 22 b 4 8 32 37 30 26 27 3-1 10 17 8 31 17 33 1 C GO 2.1 18 27 39 3 29 26-c 9 11 27 23 c 33 25 22 31 27 16 10 27 24 3 8 21 27 27.31 21 3-1 Then 6 9, Black wins.

10 15 24 15 16 19 21 19 8 11 31 24 22 17 11 25 32 28 2 7 3 7 30 27 6 10 39 22-a 8 11 18 15 11 16 19 15 25 22 1- 8 11-b 27 24 3 8-c 7 11 27 32 9 13 28 24 19 23 15 10 16 2.) 18 14 17 14 4 8 26 10 5 9 11 15 White 10 17 23 18 11 16 10 3 1 6 wins. 21 14 11 16 20 11 9 25 15 18

12 IS 22 18 (Yar. 4 8 1). 26 22 8 11 31 24 28 24 13 17 27 21 6 9 28 19 7 23 16 20 ' 19 15 20 24 13 10 U 15 22 17 24 19 8 12 32 28 12 16 18 11 23 27

17 14 15 6 12 1G-' 26 22 14 10 5 6 26 19 1 10 23 26 10 l i 23 21 11 7 14 10 19 23 1C 11-* 22 25 10 14 La awn.