DRAUGHTS

Otago Witness, Issue 3765, 11 May 1926, Page 69

DRAUGHTS

CONDUCTED BY JAS. BEECOT. Solutions of problems, fames, and analyses art Invited for this column. Games should be written In six columns as below, and all correspondent'# addressed to the Draughts Editor, Otago Witness Office, Dunedin. PROBLEM 5990. By W. Yeal, Mauritius. Black on 1,6, 18, King 8.

White on 7, 19, 26, 32. • Black to play and win. PROBLEM GOOO. i By J. O’Neill, Waitati. Black on 2,7, 13, 18, 19, Kings 29, 30.

White on 15, 21, 26, 27, 31* King 9. White to play and win. TO CORRESPONDENTS. G. A. B. (Christchurch).—Games received, thanks. G. C. (Moonlight).—Problem wiTl appear next week. J. ON. (Waitati).—Congratulate you on being the author of the six thousandth problem in 4he Otago Witness. GAMES. NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIP. Tbe following games were played at Dunedin last Easter, between Messrs G. A. Brown (Christchurch) and H. Morris (Tuatepere.) in the final rounds of the above tourney.

(Annotated by G. A. Brown). (a) 11 15 is a good safe move. (b) 22 17 is the usual move; the text is likely to bring about complications. (c) This move is new- to me, and is probably original. (u) A weak move; 27 23. is better. (E) Better than 24 27. (F) I was wondering how I was going to find the draw when Black made this blunder.

(&) 18 14 was at one time considered very strong, but modern analysis has altered that opinion. (b) This move is new to me. [Mr Morris, as in the previous game, was anxious to get a strong book player on to original ground as early as possible—Ed. O.W.] 19 15 is very strong. 22 17 is another good alternative. (c) Thiß jump appears to lose; 27 18 would probably have draw,n. (D) 24 27 would have allowed 12 8, followeu by the 19 15 “shot." The following two games were also played in the Handicap Section of the above tourney between Messrs Davis (Stratford) and Murneli (Glenhum).

then 18 23, White wins. (Annotated by the Draughts Editor.) (a) This opening is etrong for White. (b) This movo gets away from the more popular lineß; 26 23 or 19 15 are more frequently adopted. (c) Jn the Australasian Championship tourney a$ Dunedin in 1911 Mr HiHiker played 27 18, 14 23, 26 19 at this stage, and got an easy draw.

(d) In an Australian championship tour ney in 1924 Mr Richards, of Sydney, played 6 10 here. (e) A fairly even game here. (f) The positions are now identical. (0) IS 23 draws. Game 6334—“ Denny." - (10 14, 23 19 line.)

(a) This varies from the previous game, and is stronger; it is now a line of the “Bristol Cross." (b) 16 19 is best, though 16 20 can also be played. 7 11 is sound, but the text is weak. (c) The score sheet ends here, and says White wins; the ending may have been won on a blunder, but the position as it stands is a simple draw.

BEGINNERS’ SECTION. The game given below is taken from that popular guide, “The Handy Manual.” This line of the “Bristol" abounds in traps and critical play that should not fail to please the amateur. Game 6335—“8ri5t01."

but 8 11 is fully as good, and brings out some fine play. (B) 25 22, 12 19, 29 25 , 9 14, 18 9, 5 14 , 22 17, 11 15, 20 16 draws and is a popular variation. (c) Beware of 3 8, 23 16, 8 12, 21 17, 12 19, 18 14, 9 18, 26 23. White wins: (D) 25 22, 10 14, 18 15, 6 10, is the way it is sometimes played. (E) 21 17, 14 21, 23 18, 7 11, 18 14, 1? 20, 14 9, 3 8, 9 6, 8 12, 6 2, 11 16, 26, 15 18, drawn.—MTnncs. ENDINGS. Here are tw*o endings in the prolonged tie between H. Egan and G. Moodie in the recent Australian Championship. Mr Egan won the tie by 4 wins to 3 and 5 draws. Black (Egan) 10, 14, 15, 25. White (Moodie) 20, 21, King 7. Moodie to move.

There was also a prolonged tie between Messrs Egan and Boyles, the former winning one game with nine draws. We gave the ending of the “won" game last issue, but, as an error occurred in the position of the White piecee, we re-produce it:—Black (Boyles) 3,5, 7,9, 12, 16, 20. White (Egan) 14, 18, 21, 24, 26, 27, 29. Black to play. 7 10, 14 7, 3 10, 26 23, 9 14, 18 9, 5 14, 21 17-a, 14 21, 23 18-a. Egan won. (a) The winning moves. The following two brilliant finishes arc from actual play. The first arose in the recent Canadian Championship at Toronto, and the latter i 3 a rather pretty draw which Mr G. E. Trot (Clapham Common Open Air Club) secured against a friend. Black men on 3,5, 7,9, 10, 11, 14, 17. 'White men on 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 26 , 28. Black to move. Play proceeded thus: 17 22, 26 17, 10 15, 17 10, 7 14, 16 7, 15 29. Black won, as White must King, and then Black takes two for one by 14 17. Black on 2,6, 7,8, 10, 14, 24. White on 15, 19 , 20, 22, 25 , 30, 32. White to play. Mr Trot drew in fine style, thus: 22 17, 14 21, 30 26, 21 30, 32 28, 30 16, 28 3, 10 19 , 3 1. Draw. A pretty conception. Following is a brilliant draw secured by S. Gonotsky against tbe ex-English champion, Herbert Morrell, in a recent tournament held at Boston, U.S.A., which the former won. Black 8, 12, 15, King 19. White (Gonotsky) 14, 29, Kings 10, 22. White to play continues 20 16, 15 18, 22 24, 12 28, and Black having the move is able to prevent White winning by first position, thus forcing a draw. ITEMS. Otago Draughts Club. —The hon. secretary advises that the annual meeting of this club will be held at the club rooms (Mr Divers , Princes street, next the Grand Theatre) on Saturday evening, 15th inst., at 8 p.m. All members and intending members are urged to attend and give the club a good start for the coming season. Town v. Country Match.—All players interested are invited to keep this event in view. A working committee will probably be appointed at the meeting of the Otago Club on Saturday evening. Illness.—We regret to learn that Mr Clure, of Wellington, has not been enjoying the best of health for some time past. He is now in hospital, and the first X-ray examination did not disclose the nature of his trouble. We, and all draughts players, sincerely hope that Mr Clure will soon be restored to health again.

AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINE’S SKILL. (From Ocr Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, April 23. Comparison of the skill or ability of the Australian aborigine to compete evenly with white people in other than athletic sports has often been challeiged. The difficulty is the lack of opportunity or the sensitiveness of the aborigine in such circumstances. It took a lot cf persuasion from the Adelaide Draughts Club to get Jacob Harris, a full-blooded aborigine from =. mission station, to try his skill as a draughts player in the Australian draughts championship recently conducted in Adelaide. Gathered at this tournament were the champions of the six Commonwealth States, and against these champions Jacob Harris measured his skill. Before analysing the performance he recorded, it should be known that Harris has never seen any books on the gamo, and his knowledge rested solely on his natural gamo, gained through the experience of playing his fellow-men on the, mission station. Harris had never previously played in a tournament, and naturally was extremely nervous on first meeting these giants of the

game, as they must have appeared to him. Throughout the tournament the presence and doings of Harris were the outstanding features, and the utmost respect was shown him, through the true spoitsman spirit he displayed. Harris in his ties defeated the New South Wales champion and the Western Australian champion. In beating the latter Harris made history for his race, for in doing »o, he achieved a wonderful performance* The Western Australian was the Australian champion one year and is a recognised master of the game, being quoted by many authorities in publications on the game. The analysis of the games played by Harris read: Played 23, won 8, drawn 7, lost 8. The remarkable nature of this feat is snown by the fact that Egan, the winner of the championship, won only 10 games out of 33 played, and the runner-up in 26 games recorded only eight wins. Harris won as many games as any other competitor, for two of Egan’s wins were scored in the final. It was recognised by all who watched Harris's play that he vculd take much beating for the championship next year. He was the recipient of meny congratulations, and was presented with many books on the game. SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS. Problem 5995 (by J. K. Lyons'.—Black on 11. 20, 26, 28. White on 23, 32, King 18. Black to play and win:

Problem 5996 (by L. S. Head).—Black on 1, 6.. 7, 12, King 25. White on 5, 14, 15, 17, 19, 24 Black to play and draw: 25 22 22 13 •13 9 615 9 6 615 15 10 10 3 14 10 19 10 24 20 a-3 8 Drawn (a) If 3 7 then 15 11, B. wins.

Game 6331".Dundee.” (12 16, 22 18 line.) Black: Mon is. ‘White: Brown. 12 16 7 10 4 8 28 32 3 8 25 29 22 18 29 25 28 19 10 6 9 6 28 32 16 26 2 6 8 11 1 10 8 12-f 29 25 24 19 21 17 19 15 5 1 22 18 32 27 10 14-a 14 21 11 18 20 27 31 22 25 22 26 22 18 15 22 15 31 26 15 10 27 31 a 12 11 13 12 16 24 27 22 15 22 18 2a 24-b 23 5 15 10 1 6 10 28 31 26 9 13-c 10 15 16 19 27 31 13 17 18 14 18 9 19 10 25 22 6 15 6 2 26 22 5 14 6 15 19 24 32 28 17 22 W wins 22 18 24 19-D 27 23 18 14 2 7 by 2nd 6 9 15 21 24 28-e 28 24 22 25 position 25 22 32 28 23 18 14 9 7 11

Game 6332--“Dundee.” (12 16, 22 18 line.) Black: Brown. White: Morris. 12 16 14 23 5 14 1 6 24 27 27 24 22 18 26 19-c 23 25 18 9 15 6 10 6 16 20 9 14 8 11 6 13 2 9 23 26 £5 2‘2-a. 16 12 25 22 26 22 26 22 6 1 8 12 4 8 11 15 16 20 27 31 26 30 24 19 27 23 30 26 31 26 19 15 B, . wins 10 14 6 10 15 24 7 11-D 31 27 19 16-b 22 18 28 19 22 18 23 19 12 19 11 16 20 24 11 16 16 23 23 16 18 9 22 18 18 15 15 10

Game 6333—"Denny ” (10 14, 23 19- line.) Black : Davis, White: Marnell, 10 14 8 11 11 18 2 7 1 10 8 11 2.5 19-A 25 22 22 15-e 31 26-f 24 20 2 6 11 16 4 8-D 14 18 9 13 15 24 8 7 22 17-b 29 25 28 24 26 22 22 6 6 9 1G 23 6 10 9 14 7 11-0 14 18 7 10 17 10 19 15 24 19 16 10 80 26 9 6 7 14 10 19 5 9 11 15 24 28 10 15 2G 19-0 24 15 27 24-F 10 6 6 2 26 22

Black: Marnell. "White: Davie.' 10 H 4 11 6 14 6 10 14 17 3 7 23 19 26 23 26 22 22 18 21 14 23 18 11 16 16 20 11 15 1 5 10 17 7 11 19 15-A 22 18 24 19 18 9 29 25 18 15 8 ll'B 9 13 15 24 6 14 7 10 11 25 15 8 18 9 28 19 31 26 25 22 30 7 then 2 11-c. White wine.

(11 16, 24 20 line.] 1 James Wyllie v . R . D. Yates. 11 16 27 23 11 16-c 15 6 2 7 26 10 34 20 4 8 20 11 1 10 25 22 7 14 16 13 23 16 7 16 22 18 10 15 30 26 23 16 8 12 18 15-D 9 13 E :-23 18 Drawn 12 19 32 27B 9 14 18 9 14 23 22 18 12 19 23 22 5 14 28 24 8 11-A 27 23 6 9 29 25 19 28 (*) 9 14 and 10 14 are the usual moves,

20 16 16 11 3 8 14 23 7 2 6 1 15 19 30 26 27 32 27 18 23 26 22 18 7 11 11 8 8 11 21 17 2 6 1 5 19 24 26 23 14 18 32 27 26 22 18 15 11 7 8 3 14 11 7 17 13 B wins 25 30 24 27 23 27 27 23 18 14 Blacl) ; (Moodie) 2 , 3, 5, 7 , 12, 13, 19. "White (E gan) 10, 14, 15, 21, 26, 27, , 32. Moodie to 13 17 27 23 7 16 19 15 3 10 11 8 32 28 22 25 24 20 22 18 15 6 2 7 19 23 28 24 30 26 23 19 9 14 8 3 26 19 25 30 20 11 18 9 6 1 7 11 17 22 15 11 26 22 10 7 14 10 3 8 then 11 16. Black wc

*11 16 18 27 20 24 27 20 28 32 23 19 *26 30 32 27 26 23 16 11 16 23 27 31 30 26 20 16 23 19 B wins