DRAUGHTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 4042, 1 September 1931, Page 61

DRAUGHTS.

CONDUCTED-BY

JAS. BEECOT.

SoJntloß* « praoieme. g«m«s, and analyse* In. «te<l for thro column Gams* should be written to «tx columns a» botaw r and nil correapoiwieua# SAdroased to Ui» Draughts Editor, Otago Witnsss DSIoe. Daueilin.

PROBLEM 6553.

By G. H. Slocum. Black 8, Kings 9, 22, 25.

White 6, Kings 3, 12, 28. White to move and win. A prize-winner in Liverpool Mercury competition, 1894.

PROBLEM 6554. By G. H. Slocum. Black 10, 11, Kings 9, 12, 14, 20, 25.

White 17, 22, 26, 28, Kings 1, 31, 32. White to move and win. Awarded first prize in Liverpool Mercury competition, 1894. TO CORRESPONDENT. “ Tony," Beautiful Valley.—The game referred to was published, correctly. I will explain the notation, also your other query, next week. GAMES. DOMINION TOURNEY. The following pair of games were played in the 1930 Invercargill tourney between G. A. Brown, ex-ehampion, and H. Morris, the veteran Southland player The games and notes are taken from the Dannevirke News:— GAME 8090.—“ Denny."

(a> The late F. Tescheleit recommended keeping the apex piece on 7 (26 with White) unmoved as long as sound development permitted. However, the 10 14, 22 17 opening proves an exception, and Tescheleit's Master Play says: “ Best to close up with the apex move; other moves weaken the double corner.” The note on this move in Scientific Checkers reads: 6 10 is often played at this point; 7 10 is more in line with our general theory of defending the double corner and. playing for a centre position. In early formation the student should not follow the books or published play with unshakable faith, but should as far as possible ascertain the reason for the particular development, especially if it appears rather odd. From the notes in Master Play and Scientific Checkers it would seem that 7 10 is the best development, but now look at “ Shearer’s Handbook,” that considered 6 10 just as good, and the Encyclopaedia, which is of the same opinion. The student should now examine play on 6 10, as given In the " Handbook ” and the Encyclopaedia, and see if, as is suggested in the other works. Black's double corner is impaired in the resultant development. In this way the student acquires a knowledge of the principles involved in developing an opening, and will form his own conclusion as to the respective merits of 6 10 and 7 10 tn this particular case. (b> Backing up the man on 7(c) Master Play seems to favour 24 20, although to the side. Scientific Checkers says of 24 20; " This line of play has received considerable attention the last 25 years; the idea being to prevent 11 15, as White would then reply 20 16, and attack the weak “Black single corner." (d) Made to weaken the White single corner, and also allow Black to take the centre by II 15.—Scientific Checkers. (ej Master Play gives 11 15 as best. (f> This seems to leave the books. Master Play gives 24 20, 22 18, and 24 19. Text seems to weaken White’s double corner. 22 18 appears to attack the Black, double corner as much as 23 18 without weakening White’s position. Of a weak line may prove more effective than a strong one if your opponent knows nothing of the former. (g) The novice will note that 7 3 allows 6 10, 14 7,1 6, etc. GAME 8091.—“ Denny.” Black: H. Morris; White: G. A. Brown. 10 14 23 14 10 14 13 6 48 19 12 22 17 9 18 25 22 2 9 23 18 10 15 14 18-a 30 26 18 25 22 13 14 23 18 14 23 14 16 29 22 11 15 27 18 9 18 9 18 17 13-b 7 10 18 11 8 11 27 23 26 23 6 10 24 19 8 24 31 27 18 27 6 9 26 23 5 9-c 28 Iff d-12 16 c-32 23 L —Drawn. (a) Shearer considered 14 18 as good as 7 10. Published play seems to indicate that the draw is a narrow one. Certainly it Is not very difficult, but it seems to leave Black devoid of scope, although “ Lee’s Guide ” originally gave .26 23, 6 9, 23 14,

9 18, 31 26, 26, and then allowed a White win after 71 moves. The appendix to the guide now shows a draw on this line. (c) Rather unexpected. (d) In the nature of another surprise. fe) Mr Morris has played two very interesting draws with the ex-champion. DRAUGHTS IN DUNEDIN. Australasian and South Seas Championship, January, 1890. Following are two mare of the games played in the above mentioned tournament, and were originally published in this column over 40 years ago. The accompanying remarks appeared at the same timet “ Played between Messrs W. Warnock, the champion, and D. Brodie. The games are interesting, as giving a sample of the play of Brodie, who is a young player of about 19, and has only been In the game about two-.. years. He has certainly made wonderful progress in so short a time, and he appears to be still progressing." [We all know what a brilliant’ player D. A. Brodie became, but unfortunately he was not of robust health, and died about 20 years ago while still a young man. He was several times champion of the Dominion.— Draughts editor.!

(a) For a player who does not feel very safe with the White’s in this game we would recommend this move in preference to 30 26, as it prevents the formation of intricate combinations, especially if followed as given at note (b). (b) 32 28 leads to an easier draw for White, therefore preferable as a defence. Strickland played it successfully against Bryden in the England v. Scotland match. (C) This permits the draw, but . black had a win in hand. We offer the position as a problem. See diagram below:

(a) White wins. (b) After working for first position failed to see the win at the finish. —W. W. SOLUTION TO PROBLEMS. Problem 6549 (“The Bo’sun”). —Black 7, 14, 24. White 8, King 22. White to move and draw.

THE PLAYER. OF THE OLDEN TIME. The players of the olden time I see them once again Just as they Were in manhood’s prime. Though years have passed since then. They trooping came with beaming- smile At memory’s witching call To greet me in the dear old style, To fancy’s airy hall. They spring to life, as some sweet strain. Or long forgotten word. Thrills swiftly through the heart and brain— A note for years unheard. Adieu! each well remembered face; I feel this dry heart, glow With other thoughts, which may erase Care’s network cm my brow. —J. M'Kerrow.

I Hack : G. A. Brown ; ; White : H . Morris. 10 14 23 18-f 20 27 22 17 27 31 11 18 22 17 14 23 19 15 8 11 3 7 24 27 7 10-a 27 18 10 19 19 15 12 16-g 18 22 17 13 7 10 12 7 11 16 7 11 26 23 3 7-b 24 19 2 11 15 11 16 20 17 14 25 22-c 11 16 32 23 16 19 30 25 27 31 14 17-d 26 23 11 16 IS 14 31 26 Drawn 21 14 8 11 23 19 19 23 25 21 9 25 28 24 16 23 11 8 20 24 29 22 16 20 26 19 23 27 14 10 10 14-e 31 26 4 8 8 3 6 15

GAME 8092.—“ Fife.” Black : W. Warnock ; White: D. A. Brodie. 11 la25 9 8 11 30 26 25 30 24 19 23 19 6 13 21 17 17 21 1 5 23 16 9 14 29 9 5 10 14 26 222 13 17 20 4 22 17 8 II 17 10 5 9 15 10 22 26 o 9 25 22 Y 23 10 6 17 22 4 8 26 23 11 15-1 19 10 9 13 19 15 12 16 9 13 27 24-b 23 37 6 1 3 8 15 11 24 20-a I 5 24 19 21 25 28 21 16 20 15 24 32 28 27 32 18 15 C-30 25 Drawn 28 19 4 8 18 11 18 31 27 13 22 23 18 13 17 22 15 32 23

—Variation 1.— 3 8 10 14 5 14 12 19 12 19 18 22 27 24 22 18 30 26 23 16 27 23 26 17 1 5 / 10 11 15 8 12 15 18 13 22 32 23 18 9 19 16 31 27 23 16 16 II -Drawn. —Variation 2.— 26 23 2 7 18 9 25 30 16 II Drawn 21 25 15 8 5 14 20 16 25 22 19 15 7 14 23 19-3 30 26 19 15 —Variation 3.— 8 4 4 8 20 11 11 7 23 19 19 15 25 30 12 16 3 12 30 25 25 22 Drawn The foregoing variations are from Drummond. Position at note (c> of above game, and published as Problem 758, Otago i Witness:

Blaek to move and ■win. 32 28 10 6 30 25" IS 25 22 18 B. wins 24 19 2 9 14 18 29 A. 16 11 28 24 5 14 20 29 20 16 24 28 GAME 8093 .—' “ Single Corner. »» Black : D. A. Brodie ; White: : W. Warnock. 11 15 25 22 7 11 19 15 18 23 15 18 22 IS 10 17 28 24a 23 18 10 15 28 15 22 22-13 20 27 7 II 23 27 18 23 25 18 8 11 32 23 18 14 15 19 32 28 12 16 24 19 11 16 13 9 27 32 11 15 29 25 II 15 19 15 14 18 1K15 28 32 16 20 19 10 16 20 9 6 32 27 15 19 IS 14 7 14 23 19 5 9 2 7 32 28 10 17 26 22 20 24 6 o 27 32 23 27 21 14 14 17 14 10 9 13 7 11 2S 32 9 18 27 23 24 27 15 10 32 27 19 23 23 14 17 26 10 6 13 17 19 23 32 28 6 10 31 22 1 10 10 7 27 18 27 32 25 21 4 8 15 6 17 •>2 15 22 28 24 10 17 22 18 27 31 O 6 31 27 23 IS 21 14 3 7 6 22 26 22 18 24 28 2 6 23 19 31 2.7" 6 10 27 32 18 15 30 25 S 12 z. ~7 26 31 18 15 b-12 16 6 10 18 14 27 23 7 2 32 28 Brawn

8 3 11 7 11 16 20 16 26 22 19 23 7 10 io. 15 18 23 32 28 27 31 31 27 3 7 7 11 26 31 16 19 19 23 22 18 24 28 14 18 13 24 27 32 28 32 27 24 7 11 26-a 16 29 21 26 23 19 18 25 28 32 15 19-b 23 27 32 27 24 28 24 20 —and 1 5 11. Drawn. (al If 22 17 , 15 19, 11 15, 18 22, . 17 26. 32 2S, , and Black wins, as in Gould’s. No. t>63. (b> 3-2 28, 1 .1 16, 28 24, 2 6 31, 24 20, 16 II, 15 19, J .1 15, 19 24, 15 22. Drawn. Problem. 6550 (W. Ferguson).—Black Kings 11, 15, 16. White 12, King s 4, 8. Black to move and win. 16 19 8 3 15 10 3 10 14 10 12 8 8 3 10 If 3 8 14 7 4 8 11 4 15 10 3 8 11 7 4 8 10 15 3 7 3 8 14 17 8 3 17 14 8 3 15 18 19 15 8 3 10 14 8 4 7 11 B. wins