DRAUGHTS

Southland Times, Issue 21897, 24 December 1932, Page 15

DRAUGHTS

CONDUCTED BY F. HUTCHINS. “Let science give release To minds o'er wrought by care and thought. Let the checker board be brought. The battlefield of peace." All communications to be addressed to “Draughts Editor.” 54 Biggar Street. Solutions of problems, games, criticisms and analysis are Invited. OUR PROBLEMS. We are offering pur readers something light and airy albeit entertaining, amusing and instructive, in keeping with the holiday season, and feel quite sure they will derive much pleasure in solving them. PROBLEM 445. By J. Wyllie. Black—l 7, 20, 21; K 29.

White—2B; K’s 9, 30. White to play: what result? Neat and useful, but not difficult

PROBLEM 446. (By Charles Lawson in the “Launceston Examiner.’’) Black—9, 11. 13, 14; K 31.

White—l 9. 21, 22. 30; K. 1. White to play and win. “Not nearly so easy to solve as the solution makes it seem” —The author. The draughts editor agrees, and considers it would make a. remarkably fine win if? a game ending. Originally published in the “Providence Journal.”

PROBLEM 447. (By B. Oldman, Pontefract.)

Black men on 5,8, 24; kings 10, 15. White men on 13, 16. 23, 31; king 6. White to play and win. (Beautiful finish.) GAME 525—“KELSO” 22—18. The following, from the “Launceston Examiner,” contributed by Mr Aden E. Brown (Wondabyne, N.S.W.), is the game won from Mr G. A. Brown (New Zealand exchampion) in the correspondence match between the "two Browns.” Black, G. A. B.; White, A E. B.

Black resigned. “Examiner” and other Notes. (a) Styled the Kelso-Exchange In many books, but the title might as' fittingly be applied to 10-15. 24—19. White should have a good, strong game from the 22—18 exchange, as Black’s position, with the man missing from square 10 thus early, is distinctly inferior to White’s. (b) G. A. Brown considers this, also 9— much better than the popular 6—lo. The writer concurs with him in this opinion (after many years’ trial of 6—10), and thinks 9—13, with a probable follow of 11 —l5, affords the most solid defence in a game favourable to White. Per contra, it will be found that 6—lo allows too often a strong development for White, even by a nonbook player. (c) Same position is seen frequently from 10— 21—17, 11—16, 22—18, 15—22. 25—18. (d) Enterprising, and formerly appealed to the D.E., but 16—20 is usual and doubtless best. , „ (e) 17—14 is strong, and “Examiner Game 222 (June 1, 1927) shows It played in a club handicap by D. O’Toole against G. Moodie. with a continuation of 6—lo. 14_9, 5—14, 18—9, 10—15. 23—19. 16—23, 26—10, etc., to an ultimate draw. (f) The position I had been playing for since 21—17 at sixth move.—A. E. Brown. (g) In 3rd edition of “Encyclopaedia, page 205. var. 36, 31—26 is given, but queried by the editor—A.E.B. This 31—26 was played in a Boston (U.S.A.) v. New England match by H. L. Pigeon against E. Williams (the rival team captains), and a fine, critical game ensued, thus:—

3—B 26—31 6—9 , (h) Black considered several plausiblelooking moves, as 15—19, for example, but followed a safer plan. (1) Forces the next move. (j) The original intention was to play 18— which, as remarked by the Wnite player. Is nearly a winner (In a controversy in New Zealand columns subsequent to the game’s publication therein, a noted expert tried to prove a win), but finding that 18—15 drew easily, that continuation was decided upon, owing to the recognized ability of White’s opponent. The following analysis of the 18—14 move is by Mr G. A. Brown: —18—14, 3—7 (k), 23—18, 6—lo (I), 14—9, 10—14 (a nice move—D.E.), 27—23, 14—17, draw. (k) from (j). 11—16. 14—9, 3—B, I*-15. 16— 23—16. 12—19, 32—28. 20—24, 27—20, 19— 20—16. B—l2, 9—5. W. wins. (l) The only draw, 11—16, losing by 27 —23, 20—24, 14—10, etc. . „ (m) A bad mistake. 6—lo, etc., should have been played—A.E. 8.. who ais<. remarks that 3—7 draws by 15—10, 6—15, 31 —26, etc. The diagram gives the position after 17—

White to play. The above game and notes show now, by going 18—14 instead of 18—15 (which led to a lucky win). Mr 'Aden Brown would have had a splendid end-game, which leaves the narrowest possible draw for Black. Certainly White’s 22—18 at (g) was an innovation, deserving a win, though 17—22 thereafter was not necessary, if tempting.

FINESSE'IN END PLAY. (By the late Henry Shearer). Black—2. 7,9, 20. White—l 9, 23, 31, 32. White to play.

One of the most Interesting types of ending is that where neither side has secured a King up to that point, as in the above. Perhaps one side has a slightly superior position, but his opponent calculates that he can force his way through. Many a game has been lost through a slight error in calculation by the player in the Inferior position. These occurrences are referred to as “overlooks" or “brilliant finishes, according to which side the narrator played. This ending is from actual play. Whites turn, and he went 19—16. Then Black, with the idea of keeping his opponent from

crowning as long as possible, exchanged by 7—ll. 16—7, 2—ll, leaving White with a forced win, which is, however, not readily seen. Should he play 23—18 the draw Is safe; 23—19, 20—24, and again a draw. The Idea of the win was first published by Dr. Brown, the play being: 32—27, 9—14, 23—19, 14— (here comes the cunning bait), 19— 16, 11—15, 27—23! Now Black cannot go 15— 19, therefore White crowns and captures the piece on 15 at his convenience. You require to carry a lot of little wrinkles of this description in your head. ERROR. In Game 521 between P. Hogg and R. W. Korrell, published on the 10th Inst, a mistake was made at note (1) through the piece on 26 being misplaced. Note (1) therefore is not correct and can be expunged. Solutions to Problems. No. 441 Author unknown. Black on 8. 17. K. 22. White on 31, 19, 18, K 10. White to play and win. „„ 18-14 19-16 10-15 15-18 18-23 22-18 18-9 8-12 12-19 W. wins No. 442 By W. Veal, Southampton, England. Black—3, 6,7, 8, 10, 21, 28. King 30. White—l 4, 18, 25, 31, 32. Kings 17, 24. White to move and win. 31-26, 30-23, 24-27. 21-30, 17-13, 10-17, 13 -22, 23-14, 22-26, White wins. SOLUTIONS RECEIVED. 442—A. Neilson (Invercargill), F. Rouse (Taramoa). ,• TO CORRESPONDENTS. G. A. Brown (Christchurch); Games to hand. Your continued interest is appreciated. P. Hogg (Dipton): Good wishes heartily reciprocated. Sorry for mistake. F. Rouse (Taramoa): Your note is very encouraging and your good wishes heartily reciprocated. . . , _ , , E. Gibbard (Dannevirke): Papers received with thanks. ... J. Ingram (Mataura): Your good wishes are heartily reciprocated. Mr F. Rouse writes—As I think this will be my last this year. I will take the opportunity of thanking you for all the pleasure I have had from your columns during the last 12 months, ana wish you a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.— With kind regards,—F. Rouse. CORRESPONDENCE MATCH. U.S.A. v. N.Z. The following have signified their willingness to take part in the above match — D. Calderwood (Dominion champion), G. A. Brown. J. A. Lucas and J. A. Scott (exchampions), J. R. Clark, F. Hutchins, J. Turbitt, E. Gibbard. A. E. Greenwood, J. O’Neill and B. Whitehead. All players are elegible to enter. A selection will be made during the holidays and the challenge from U.S.A, accepted. Any further players wishing to enter should send their names along as early as possible to Mr E- Gibbard. P.O. Box 119, Dannevirke.

10—15 5—9 1—5 22—18(a) 15—22 18—11 7—16 17—13 9—14 19— 20— 24 (m) 25—18 26—17 24—19 27—20 11—16(b) 4—8 14—17(f) 6—10 21—17(c) 28—24 22—18(g) 14—7 9—13(d) 16—20 17—22 2—18 24—20(e) 29—25 18—15(h)' 32—27 13—22 8—11 11—18 3 7 20—11 25—22 23—14 30—26

31—26 9—5 19—15 5—1 11—15 8—12 31—27 9—13 19—10 17—14 15—10 1—5 6—15 2—7 7—11 18—23 13—9 27—23 10—7 5—9 17—21(h) 20—24 11—15 13—17 22—17 23—16 7—3 9—13 15—19 12—19 15—18 17—22 23—16 26—23 3—7 13—17 12—19 19—26 1—6 23—28 32—28(1) 28—19 7—11 Drawn