DRAUGHTS

Otago Witness, Issue 3763, 27 April 1926, Page 73

DRAUGHTS

CONDUCTED BY JAS. BEECOT.

Solutions of games, and analyses arc Invited for this column. Games 6hould be Written In six columns as below, and all correspondence addressed to the Draughts Editor, Otago Witness Office, Dunedin.

PROBLEM 5005, By J. K. Lyons, Liverpool, (From Draughts World.) Black on 11, 20, 26, 28.

White on 23, 32, King 18. Black to play and win. Very instructive, and the finish is similar to an idea which originated with Drummond. fi'v PROBLEM 5906. By L. S. Head, Chicago. (From Pittsburgh Chronicle-Telegraph.) Black on 1,6, 7, 12, King 26.

White on 6, 14, lp. 17. 19. 24. Black to play and draw. !; TO CORRESPONDENTS. G. A. B. (Christchurch).—Many thanks for annotated games. We also appreciate your good wishes. F. K. K. (Wellington).—Letter and slip's received, for which I thank - you; also for congratulations. GAMES. The two following games were played in the recent New Zealand championship tourneiy at Dunedin, between Messrs G. A. Brown (Christchurch) and W. M’Kinna (Gore).

Game 6323—“Ke150.” Black—M'Kinna. White—Brown % (Annotated by G. A. Brown.)

(a) Not often played, but quite safe. (u) 17 14 is the popular reply. (c) Now into a “Whiltor.’ - (d) This is where I went astray. 31 26 is correct. . (e) The three for three is no good. (f) An extraordinary blunder, 23 26 Black win*. I

(Note. —I have a shrewd idea that Mr Brown saw the two for one when he played 6 1, but as the position was hopeless, he just chanced it, and luck favoured him. —Ed.] *

Game 6324—"Ke150.” Black—Brown White—M'Kinna.

17 13 25 21-b 26 22 3 10 13 9 (a) White has many good lines; 23 18 or 22 18 or 17 13 are superior to the text. (b) 18 15 is better. (c) This move is an improvement on Lee's Guide. -/ (D) Playing against T. Rea at the 1922 tourney, I played 11 15 and secured a brilliant draw. (e) A bad move; 7 3 might have drawn. The following game was played between Messrs J Lewington and W. Miller, of Itosyth, Scotland. It is a good example, illustrating the danger of making a King too quickly, and will repay close attention. —From Reynolds’s.

Game 6326—“ Cross.” Black—J. Lewington.

26 19 23 19 21 17-1 18 15 15 18 18 23 then 13 17, 23 26-J White wins (a) Forms tlm “Cross,” an opening which is considered rather weak for the second player. (b) Best. 26 23 draws, but is not to be recommended. (c) A good line, which is very popular with •11 grades of players,

(D) 22 17 draws, but is not so strong as the text move. (e) 4 8 first, a waiting move, is usual. (f) Back into book play. (o) 18 14, 6 10, 15 6, 1 17, 21 14. 8 11, 14 10, 11 16, 19 15, 16 20, 10 6, 23 27, is the regular draw. (h) This appears to he the losing move. Play as under: 37 15 10 2327 29 27 32 2925 21 17 7 14 25 18 5 23 31 27 Draws 13 22 18 2 1 6 24 20 23 26 (i) No doubt this move was unexpected by Black. (j) A fine game. BEGINNERS’ SECTION. The game given below was contested in an exhibition given by the late James Wyllie, who held the world’s championship for nearly forty years with slight breaks. Game 6326—“ Switcher.” Black—Capt. M‘Nab. White—Mr Wyllie. 11 15 25 21 12 16 24 20 716 c-3 8 21 17-A 5 9 18 11 914 26 23 913 23 18-B 8 15 20 11 (a) When Mac saw this he exclaimed: “Just the game I wanted; I’ll give him a drubbing he’ll no soon forget! I have it all analysed.” (b) “He’ll never draw this wi* me; just watch how I’ll surprise him in a few moves,” said Mac (sotto voce), and we all watched. (c) So far Mao had played with all the loquacious assurance of a bookmaker, but now he began to silently scratch his head, grumble at the crowding and talking, and finally moved 3 8, observing: “That’ll give him something to think aboot!” But, apparently, it didn’t, for with alacrity Mr Wyllie replied: 22 18, 13 22. 18 9, 6 13, 31 26, 22 31, 30 25, 31 24, 28 3, 10 14, 25 22, 1 6, 29 25, and presently Mac had to “bang doon the *saxpence,” exclaiming as he did so, “Ye’ll no catch ‘me wi’ that again, my laddie!” “Do you think you can draw it?'' asked the veteran. "Draw it, mon! By the great Macgregor, I'll beat it! And would just noo, but for the blethering chatter that is always going on in this club.” SOME INCIDENTS OF THE DUNEDIN TOURNEY. Prior to our tourney I thought it would be appropriate to give some incidents which occurred at the Scottish tourney, as we expected that something similar would crop up at our own. I was not mistaken, several cases of unaccountable blunders were reported, such as two for one’s being given and missed (see Game 6323 this issue). It is remarkable that of two of the “safest” players in the contest, one should offer a two for one, and his opponent overlook the opportunity to benefit by it. On another occasion, after a long ending, ono “sound” player gave his opponent two for nothing, the receiver of the gift laughingly remarking that he ha<l offered a draw over an hour ago. Again, during a “take,” No. 1 removed some wrong pieces from the board; after some confusion, they were replaced correctly and the game proceeded. No. 2 just remarking that he could claim the game, but that it was all right. The above incidents and the one following showed the very friendly spirit which manifested itself between the players during the progress of the play. The rules were being strictly enforced that both games should be finished at each sitting; one evening at the tea adjournment one pair who had continued playing about an hour after the rest 1 of the players had retired, and had a long ending in view, noticed that the referee had gone from *he room; a few hurried words were exchanged between them, up they jumped, and went for tea together, leaving the board and pieces as they stood, without even laking down the position or sealing a move. After satisfying the “inner man.” they returned quietly and continued the game. AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP . TOURNEY. Play in the tourney started at Adelaide on Good Fridav with an entry of 15 players, all the States being represented. H. Egan, holder of the title, J. Boyles, State champion, J. Armstrong, runner-up, and H. S. Rogers were the Victorian representatives. R. Homes, State champion and runner-up in the last tourney played in Melbourne, reoreeented the Western State. G. Hoodie (Tasmania), who has the reputation if being a very strong player, is worthily representing his State. _ In the preliminary round he was drawn against H. Egan, and in an unfinished tie he won three games, lost three, and drew four games At a meeting of delegates it was necin'pd to hold the championship tourn-iv veariy, the next to take place at Launceston. RE VISIT OF WORLD’S CHAMPION. At the annual meeting of the Australian Draughts Association a discussion on the advisableness of inviting an international player from abroad resulted in the matter being shelved. —(Leader). This is instructive reading, seeing that at a meeting of the N.Z.D.A., at the conclusion of our Dunedin tournev, a motion was passed to the effect that the executive should communicate with the Australian Association in regard to arranging for a visit of the world’s champion, Robert Stewart. Ir view of the Australian decision, it now appears that we shall not have the pleasure of meeting this great player, unless the promise of help from this Dominion will cause them to reconsider their decision. A WELLINGTON TOURNEY. We are indebted to Mr F. K. Kelling for the following report:—The play in the annual handicap draughts tourney of the Wellington Workingmen’s Club has been completed, the final result being as follows. Sealed

The first column shows each compelitor’s actual score, Ibe possible being 32. Mr J. Leggat, the club’s champion, was the only unbeaten player, his score consisting of 24 wins and 8 draws. SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS. Problem 5991 (by A. Jordan].—Black on 20. Kings 30, 31. 32; White on Kinga 14, 18, 23. White to play and draw.

10 15 14 18 25 29 14 18 19 15 18 22 21 17 * 23 14 1 5 19 16 13 9 11 lb 7 10-1? 9 18 29 25 11 15 15 10 22 26 25 21-B 17 14-e 31 26 16 11 9 5 16 20 9 14 16 23 8 11 31 27 25 22 26 31 23 19-c 14 9 5 1 11 7 5 1 20 24 5 9 5 14 12 16 2 11 22 17 13 9 17 13 25 22 1 5 9 2 12 8 1 5 11 16 18 25 16 19 27 21 17 13 9 14 26 23 27 9 32 28 2 7 8 3 5 1 1 5 10 14 19 24 10 14 27 31 10 15 22 17 9 5 28 19 7 16 3 8 1 5 8 11 7 10 15 24 15 19 31 27 15 18 24 20-D 5 1 26 23 2 6 23 8 11 5 1 15 24 11 15 24 27 18 27 27 23 F-31 26 28 19 1 5 23 19 20 16 1 6 21 17 3 7 4 8 27 31 24 19 14 18 14 21 29 25 5 1 59 16 12 51 Drawn

10 15 8 11 8 11 14 18-D 6 22 32 27 21 17 22 18 32 28 2S 7 17 14 14 10 11 16 11 16 3 8-c 16 32 32 27 22 26 24 19-a 25 22 22 17 22 18-1* 31 24 30 23 15 24 7 10 9 14 11 16 20 27 27 18 28 19 29 25 18 9 7 3 21 17 B. wins 16 20 4 8 5 14 2 7 27 32

31 15 11 16 4 8 33 22 5 9 7 11 33 18-A 19 15 30 26-7 15 10 35 11 18 22 8 It 36 20 14 18 6 15 24 8 17 21 27 23-b 22 17 26 22 18 4 4 11 22 18 30 14-c 20 27 18 23 27 32 9 14 1 5 28 19-D 17 10 22 18 25 18 81 26 26 23 34 23 2 7-k 9 13 32 27 14 17 5 9 39 10 32 27 28 24-0 21 20 11 15 23 19 7 14 7 14 23 27-h 27 24 3 7 9 13

Score. Handicap. Total. Pearson. H. S. .. 12* 18 30* Clure. ~L 26* 3* 30 Legeatt, J 23 — 28 Coulter, J 10* 15 251 Wright, J 17 n 24* Roeenbere\ H. M. 12* 10 22* Corbett, E B. .. 11 11* 22* Williams, R 1* 3* 21* Costello. T. 14* 3* , 18

18 22 24 28 26 22 27 31 19 23 81 27 22 1B-A 26 21 14 18 20 24 14 18 30 06 18 28 31 27 16 19 27 24 28 26 24 27 lfl 15 20 24 18 14 20 24 23 19-b 27 24 ID 15 Dfawn (*) Not 23 19. (b) White can safely allow Black to set a fourth King, now that one of them is on square 21. The four Kings can’t win with King on 21 or 29.

Problem 5902 (by Dr T. J. Brown).—Black on 7, King 6; White Kings on 15, 17. White to move and win. 17 14 1 6 14 9 1 5 26 22 W wins 61 19 23 7 10 96 61 15 19 6 1-a 23 26 10 14 6 10 (a) 6 10 9 0 11 16 9 14 19 24 14 9 7 11 6 9 16 20 27 23 10 15 23 V 15 19 14 10 W. wins —J. Mulvey.