DRAUGHTS

Otago Witness, Issue 3769, 8 June 1926, Page 73

DRAUGHTS

CONDUCTED BY

JAS. BEECOT.

Solution! of problems, games, 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 0007. By A. Fayne, London.

White on 5, 21, 30, 32, Kings 4,7, 13, 15. Black to play and win. Will be found entertaining. PROBLEM GOOB. By W. J. Wray, Halifax. Black on 5,6, 11, 18, 20.

White on 14, 17, 20, 30, 32. White to play and win. The w r in is very fine. TO CORRESPONDENTS. G. A. 8., Christchurch.—Thanks for games. J. A. S., Ivlossburn. Many thanks lor book. Will delve into it. W. B. K., Dunedin.—Thanks for tournament games received, also your own game. English correspondence games will be appreciated L F. E., Enfield.—Criticism received.. Will examine play. J. A.> Wyndham.—Will look into criticisms for next issue. Keep going. GAMES. The following two games were played between Messrs J. A Lucas, Dunedin, and H. Morris, Tuataprrc, in the recent tourney at Dunedin: Game 6350 —“Double Corner.” (9 14, 24 ID line.) Black: Lucas. White: 'Morris. 9 11 4 8-c 15 18 1 5 18 22 18 23 24 19 29 25 17 10 18 9 13 9 22 17 11 15 11 15 18 27 5 14 22 25 25 22 27 24-a 25 22 32 23 26 22 9 5 17 13 8 11 15 24 7 14 11 15 25 39 23 27 22 18 28 19 26 22 22 17 5 1 13 9 15 22 10 35 D Bil 710 30 25-F 22 18 25 9 19 10 30 26 17 13 31 26 1 5 5 14 G 15 3 7 15 18 14 18 18 14 24 20-B 22 17-e 22 18 23 19 26 22 21 17 Then 14 21, 9 6,2 9, 5 7—drawn. (Annotated by Mr G. A. Brown.) (a) This move turns the game into a “Defiance.” (b) Mr Morris seems partial to thiß move, as he played it against me, colours reversed. vc) 6 9 as played by me against Morris is stronger. (d) Safer than 8 11. (e) 22 18 is the book move. (f) 14 18 appears to win now. Game 6351 —“Double Corner.” (9 14, 24 19 line.) Morris: Black. Lucas: White. 9 14 22 18-d 11 15 27 11 8 11 24 19-A 15 22 25 22 7 23 32 28 31 15-B 25 9 6 9 26 19 3 7 28 24-c 514 23 18-E 4 8 31 27 811 29 25 14 23 1-30 26-f 913 B wins Variation 1. 22 18 11 16 24 15 27 17 14 8 11 19 15 16 19 21 17 15 32 28 10 19 30 26 913 26 23 Drawn —J. Seariglit v. A. J. Heffner. (a) Makes an equal game on most variations. (B) Black lias plenty of scope; 5 9 and 11 16 are good alternatives. (c) Not so popular as 22 18. (d) A point to be noted is J,hat 22 17 is not good against 7 11, but against 8 11 it is better than 22 18. (e) This is a big improvement on 32 28 given in Scientific Checkers. (f) It is hard to undertsand the object of this move. 22 18 draws as in Variation 1. The following game was also played in the above tourney between Messrs E. Cibbard, Lanncvirke, and J. Ellis, Mosgiel: Game 6352 —“Edinburgh.” (9 13, 22 18 line.) Black: Ellis. White: Gibbard. 9 13 15 18 8 11 11 15 1 10 9 13 22 18-A 22 15 24 19 32 28-e 27 23 26 22 30 15-B 11 18 4 8 15 24 18 27 3 8 25 22 14 10 28 24 28 19 81 6 20 16 ► 7 10-C 615 13 17 5 9 811 812 18 14 23 14 24 20 19 16 6 1 23 18 10 17 15 18-1) 17 21 12 19 11 15 12 19 21 14 29 25 14 10 10 6 26 23 F-18 11 i Annotated by Draughts Editor.) (0 Tl’ - reply is known as the dreaded “Edinburgh.'* Black has % hard fight to cii.i vv on t his line. iu) 12 16 was a favourite with Wyllie and Freeman; 6 9 is also good. (c'j G 10 is good, and 5 9 is favoured by some players, but it leads to s weak end gnme.

(is) There are many possibilities in this mid-game, though White appears to have an advantage. (E) 26 22, 15 24, 22 15, 27, 15 11, 8 15, 32 28, 7 14, 28 10, White wins. (f) Continue as follows and White wins: 19 24 27 32 27 23 19 23 27 23 27 32 I 5 914 11 8 4 8 11 16 W wins 27 32 27 23 19 23 27 23 27 - Ed. 6 9 14 10 8 4 16 19 The following game was played between Messrs Gibbard, Dannevirke, and Longstaff, New Plymouth, also in the above tourney: Game 6353—“ Denny.” (10 14, 22 17 line.) Black: Longstaff. White: Gibbard. 10 14 30 26 6 9 29 22 914 2 6 22 17 1 6-b 23 14 11 15 24 19 11 15 14 18-A 26 23 918 22 17 811 6 9 23 14 6 9 17 14 15 18 13 9 15 24 918 23 14 710 27 23 11 16 28 19 26 23 918 14 7 18 27 9 6 W wins 6 9 31 26 310 32 23 4 8 23 14 2 6 25 22 5 9-D 3 2 918 26 23-C 18 25 17 13 811 (a) Quite as good ns 7 10. (b) Given as a losing move. 5 9 draws. (c) Lee’s Guide gives 17 13 as the correct move to win, but a draw has been shown on their play. (d) 10 15 might draw here. BEGINNERS’ SECTION. 1 am giving a few “notes” this week, without the • moves,” and 1 hope they will be of interest; certainly they are important, and are taxen from a “Draughts Player’s Scrapbook,” pasted in by “An Old Boy.’’ “Right Hand against Left Hand." —It is relateu of Deacon Brodie, a “gentleman burglar” of Old Edinburgh, that while in prison awaiting execution he carved a rough draughts board on the floor, and when he failed ro induce his fellow-prisoners to play with him, he resorted to the expedient of playing his right hand against his left. This is 'just the point I wish to impress upon young players, that it is not necessary to wait until you can find an opponent to play with you, yet your draughts board down, and study the games and problems in the Otago Witness at your leisure. “A Hasty Move ’’—“The novice in the game of draughts sees only the instant result his hasty move, but as he gains insight into the game he finds another, and another consequence involved; and he learns to sacrifice many a supposed advantage for the sake of ulterior issues. So in life the intelligent man, to the extent of his ability, looks beyond the immediate effect he desired to produce to the more and more results that are likely to follow, and studies them calmly and dispassionately.” “Caution.”—The novice who has engaged in a game with a player of greater proficiency will have discovered that one essential in the composition o e a draughts player is caution. It is necessary at the opening of a game, and still more so in the mid game, but most of all in the ending. Then it is the expert, finding he has been unable to dispose of his opponent earlier by a clever shot or artful trap, lays himself out to catch the unsuspecting tyro in one of the innumerable snares that abound, but which, with a little care, may be easily negotiated. SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS. Problem 6003 (by Jas. Bruce).—Black men on ], 3, 14, King 18; White men on 10, 11, 30, King 2. Black to play and win: 14 17 14 7 14 17 25 29 21 25 30 26 •2 6 211 10 11 30 26 22 26 29 25 18 14 110 17 21 3 7 25 30 26 22 117 n 7 14 17 26 23 26 22 B wins 17 22 10 14 22 25 711 29 25 7 2 710 17 22 23 19 22 29 Problem COO 4 (by Jas. Bruce).—Black men on 1,3, 14, King 15; White men on 10, 11, J3O, King 2. White to play and win: II 8 1 5 14 10 31 27 15 18 32 28 312 25 22 17 22 711 28 32 27 32 30 25 5 9 10 7 16 20 18 23 28 24 15 6 22 18 22 2C 15 19 32 28 32 28 2IS 913 7 2 27.32 23 27 W wins 12 16 18 14 26 31 11 15 28 32 18 15 13 17 2 7 32 28 19 23 NOTES AND NEWS. —O'Connor versus Cohen.— In our last issue we were able to give the result of this important match (also the winners of the (first British Championship tournament). We believe this was the first report in a New Zealand paper of these important contests. We gave eight of the endings last week, and continue them as under. We also give a resume of the proceedings of the match : ENDINGS. —O'Connor Wins Two Games.— The challenge match for £IOO a-side between S. Cohen, the English champion, and G. O'Connor, an ex-champion of Scotland, vvas continued last week in the Lesser City Hall. In the afternoon the balloted opening was 12 16, 22 18, O’Connor with Black pieces', and the first few moves were 8 12, 25 22. 16 20, 22 17. An hour’s play brought the following situation: —Black on 1,2, 3, 12, 20, 24, 28; White on 5, 13, 17, 21 27 31, 32. Black to play. A draw was declared after 12 16, 17 14, 27, 13 9, 16 19, 9 G, 1 17, 21 14, 7 10, 14 7, 3 10, 5 1, 10 15, 1 6, 15 18, 27 23, 18 27 , 32 17. Cohen at one period was a man down, but recovered it. The opening moves in the return game were early varied with 12 16. 22 18, 16 20, 24 21. 10 14 , 25 22, 6 10, 22 17, when an interesting situation arrived. Cohen (Black) was being forced all through the remaining play, and was called to time on five occasions. After an hour’s play the pieces were placed as follow:—Black on 3. 11. 12, 22, 28; White on 6, 19, 23, 30, 32. Black to play. The subsequent play was—22 26, 23 18, 26 St, 6 2. 11 16. 19 15. 16 19, 2 6. 3 8, 6 10, 12 16, 18 14, 16 20, 14 9. 8 12. 15 U, 12 16, 10 15. 20 24. 15 18. 31 26 30 23. 19 2G, 18 22, 26 SO, 11 7, 16 19 . 7 2. 19 23 , 9 5, when Cohen resigned, O'Connor thus gaining the first win of the match. There was a large attendance at the evening session, when the opening balloted was 12 16. 23 18, and the early moves were 16 20, 26 23 . 8 12 , 30 26. This gome was quickly plaved till the position was:—Black on 2, 6, 10. 11. 12. 14, 16, 20: White on 13. 19. 21, 23, 25, 27, 31, 32. Black (O’Connor) to play. The succeeding moves were —27, 25 ; 22, 14 17. 21 14, 10 96, 31 22, 6 10, 22 18, | Ift 14, 18 9, 7 10, 32 28, 10 14, 9 6, 14 18— \ Drawn. i When Cohen played Black in the above 1 opening the initial moves were similar, but l Cohen varied at his fourth, with 4 8 instead i of 9 14. O’Connor played a strong game, and after he stood one piece up the nosition was:—Black on 2, 8. 10. 12 16. 20. 26; White on King 6 . 9. 19. 91, 23 . 27 , 28. 32. I Black to play. The final moves were Ift 1 14, 28 24, 26 31. 6 10. 14 18 23 14. 16 23, • 27 18, 2ft 27, 32 23 , 31 26, 21 77. 26 19, 9 6, l 2 9. Cohen (Black) here resigned. > —Fourth Day.— r On Thursday the four games were drawn. 1 The openings were 11 16, 22 18, and 10 15, 22 18.

—Fifth Day.— The opening diawn for the afternoon play was 12 16, 21 17, O’Connor playing Black in the first game. The next moves were 9 13, 24 20, 8 12. 25 21, 16 19, 23 1G; and before long White was in a very strong position. After about forty moves the situation was: Black on 2.3, 10, 13, 14, 15, 21; White on King 8, 12. 22, 23, 26, 28, 30. Black to play. The succeeding play was 27, 23 19, 15 24, 28 19, 14 17, 22 18, 17 22, 26 17, 13 22. 19 16, 22 25, 8 11, 10 15, 11 2, 15 22, when Black resigned and Cohen scored his first win. When the board was reversed the opening moves were 12 16, 21 17, 9 13, 25 21, 16 19, 23 16, 11 20; and with both players going confidently a draw was soon declared. At the evening session the opening was 10 14, 22 17 (O’Connor, Black), and the following moves were: 7 10, 17 13, 3 7, 24 20, 14 18, 23 14, 19 18. The position became as follows:—Black on 1,4, 8, 9. 11, 12, 14, 22; White on 19 , 20, 21, 24 , 27, 29 , 30, 32. Black to plav. The last moves were 9 13, 32 28, 1 6 , 27 23 . 6 9 , 29 25 , 22 29 . 30 26, 29 25, 19 16, 12 19, 23 7, 14 18, 7 3. 8 12, 26 22, 18 23, 22 18, 23 27 , 20 16, 12 19 . 24 15, 27 32, 13 10, 25 22, 18 15, 22 18, 15 11. 9 14, 28 24, 32 27, 24 20, 27 23, 10 7, 13 17, 7 2, 17 22, 3 7, 22 26—Drawn. In the return game no change was made in the first dozen moves, and an interesting position arrived with Black on 2,4, 5,6, 7. 8, 12, 15. 17; White on 13. 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 28, 30. Black to plav. The play came thus:—7 10, 27 23, 5 9. *23 18, 17 21, 18 11, 8 15, 20 16, 27, 26 23. 9 14, 24 20, 15 24, 28 19. 21 25. 3ft 21, 14 17. 21 14, 10 26, 19 15, 12 19, 23 16. 7 10, 15 11, 10 14, 11 7, 14 17, 7 2, 6 10. 16 12, 10 15, 2 7, when a draw was agreed to. It was unnecessary to play the last game, and ex-Bailie Smith at once rose and made a few remarks. He said the contest was one of the most pleasant kind, and not the slightest hint of friction had occurred. Mr Cohen had made many friends in Glasgow, and he was not to be discouraged by his defeat. He was a very young man, and was opposed by one of the greatest players in the world, who had few equals if he had any superiors. He said Mr Cohen had every prospect of being, world's champion if he progressed as years went on. The Bailie congratulated him on his modesty anc most sportsmanlike manner. Bailie Smith then handed Mr O'Connor the envelope containing a cheque for £2OO, and the winner in a few words thanked his opponent for his friendliness. Mr Cohen said he hoped to be back in Glasgow soon, and expressed his gratefulness for the most kind reception he bad received on this visit and his previous one. The final scores were: Wins. Draws. Wins. 4 G. O'Connor .. 33 S. Cohen —2 TOWN v. COUNTRY. The annual fixture Town v. Country was played at the Y.M.C.A. on Thursday evening, June 3, and resulted in a victory for the Town team by 15 wins to 11 and 4 drawn games Mr F. E. Hilliker captained the Town team: and the veteran player Mr A. Murdoch acted in a similar capacity for the Country. After supper was indulged in. the captains made the usual speeches, Mr Murdoch remarking that he remembered the time when no less than 104 plavrs a-side took part in this contest. Snrelv there is need of a revival of interest in the game. Following are the scores:TOWN. COUNTRY. Wins. Draws. Wins. 0 F. E. Hilliker 0 J. A. Boreham 3 0 C. F. Moore 1 J. Stevenson 1 1 W. B. Rendall 1 A. B. Stewart 0 1 P. Peterson 0 Templeton 2 2 A. Penman 0 J. O’Neill 2 2 D. M'Kay 0 A. Murdoch 2 4 W. Meldrum 0 P. M‘Laron 0 2 R. C. M’Murray 1 J. M'Laren 1 3 F. Boreham 1 H. Boreham 0 15 4 11