DRAUGHTS

Southland Times, Issue 22008, 6 May 1933, Page 15

DRAUGHTS

CONDUCTED BY F. HUTCHINS. "Let science give release To minds o’er wrought with 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. PROBLEM NO. 486. By L. P. Puterbaugh (Yakima, Washington). Black—l2, Kings 29, 30.

White—Kings 19, 21, 22. White to move and win. In submitting above position, Mr Puterbaugh informs us that it occurred between a Seattle player and S. Selah. It is a beautiful and useful little setting, and well worthy of the students’ careful study. —Vancouver Province. PROBLEM NO. 487. By H. D. Lyman. White—l 3, 17, 20. 21, 26.

Black—2. 5,6, King 15. Black to play and draw. This was styled in the Melbourne Leader as a useful idea. The student should try and visualize the line he would take, for the solution is short. CORRESPONDENCE GAMES. These two interesting games were played in the recent match for the Southland correspondence championship between O. Muir (Riversdale) and J. Mclntosh (Invercargill). GAME NO. 571. Double Corner. Black: Mclntosh. White: Muir.

Southland Times Notes. (a) The first move defines the opening being played from the “Double Corner.” It is a fairly even game. Some claim it strong but like other openings it is only so if the second player is not sufficiently versed. (b) Generally regarded as the best reply, but 22.17 gives a good variety. (c) Certainlv best. (d) Strongest as Black must reply 11.15 or get a weak game. If 11.16, 26.22, 8.11, 22.17, 16.20, 28.24, 4.8. 17.13, 1.5. 31.26 etc., given as a White win by "Lee's

(e) 7.11 or 9.13 are alternative moves but we prefer text. (f) A safe line. 1.5 is sometimes played and is quite sound. 11.15 is weak. (g) 7.11 and 16.20 are equally good. (h) 3.8 draws and leads to some fine P (1) From here to finish is all published play. GAME NO. 575, Double Corner.

(a) Varies from preceding game and is recommended by N. W. Banks, the American champion; 24.20 and 26.22 are good alternatives, our preference is the latter. (b) Weak, but was played sometimes by Wylie. (c) 24.20 is best, taking advantage of weakness of former move. (d) 8.12 looks very strong. (e) The position here is interesting. Appearances favour White, but appearances are deceptive at times. (f) Best. (g) White, although a piece down, looks very strong. See diagram.

White to play. What would you do? (h) 15.19, 16.23, 27.18 looks good, regaining the piece and a strong bridge position, but n long ending which is tiresome in correspondence play. (1) Quite an interesting finish to a well fought game. PROBLEM SOLUTIONS. No. 482—8 y W. W. Horsfall (Birstall, near Leeds, England). Black: 2, 4. 18, 19, 21, king 25. White: 13, 14, 17, 31, 32, king 10. White to move and win. 31.27* 25.22 13.9-a 27. 4 19.23 14.10* 22. 6 W. wins. 10.15 4.8 15.22 6.15 (a) 27.24 will also win but leads to a long ending. No. 483—8 y T. M. Macgregor. Contributed by R. W. Mawdsley. Black: 11, 13, kings 15, 30. White: 14, 21, kings 24, 25. Black to play and win. 15.18 30.21 14.5 9.14 14.9-a 14.10-b 24.19 3.7 13.17* 18.14 5.9* 11.15 21.14 10.7 7.3 19.17 then 21.14, Black wins. (a) 14.10, 13.17, 21.14, 30.21 just gives the same result. (b) 24.19 is no good. Solutions Received. Nos. 482 and 483—J. Henderson (Gore), P. Richmond (Mossburn), P. Hogg (Dipton), E.A.L. (Inv.), A. McFarlane (Drummond), J. F. Reid (Centre Bush), J.P.W. (New Brighton), P. Flynn (Wellington), C. Donald (Otahuti). R. Weir (Dunedin), T.K. (New Plymouth). No. 483 only—F. Rouse (Taramoa). Keen Criticism. A.McFarlane (Drummond) writes claiming a shorter solution for Problem 177 than the one published, as follows: 15.10, 27.24. 18.23, 24.20, 14.18, 20.1 G-a, 10.15, 31.27, 23.26, 27.31, 18.22, 31.27, 26.31. (a) 20.24, 15.10, 31.27, 23.26, 27.31, 26.22. Pointers for Big Match.

The committee are determined to avoid the delay which occurred last year in pairing the players, and, if possible, to start the match promptly at 1 p.m. To that end the captains and assistants will be in the lounge at the tea rooms from 12 noon, to allot each player his position at the tables and those taking part are specially re-

?iuested to obtain their board number beore the date of match or between 12 noon and 1 p.m. on the day. This will avoid delay and enable those who wish to get away early to play, at least, two or three games. Mr J. Mclntosh (hon. sec.) in forwarding a letter of apology for absence at the meeting yesterday week, wrote: “Any knowledge that I gained in making last year’s match a success, is at your service, and I wish you a successful meeting in arranging for a more successful match. There is a credit balance from last year’s match of £1 11/3. This match is to be an annual event. While not losing sight of the healthy rivalry and keen fight for supremacy between the East and West it will bring about a sociability among Southland players and a re-union of old friends. Don’t be like some last year and be sorry after. One who took part said he “would not have missed it for ‘quids.’ ” Send in your names early so that we can arrange for the catering. The Town committee are working to ' make it a huge success. It is up to the country players to respond. To Correspondents. A. McFarlane (Drummond): Thanks for published play, problem will appear next week.

J.P.W. (New Brighton): The player you mention is still keen on the game. G. Moodle (Launceston, Tns.): Your interesting budget to hand and thank you. P. Richmond (Mossburn); Correction received. Your method of writing down problems for future use is commendable. R. Weir (Dunedin) writes: "I enjoyed the two correspondence games played between Muir and Mclntosh. I hope you publish more of’ them shortly.” Are there none of our Southland players who will play a Corr, match with this young enthusiast? T.K. (New Plymouth): You are right. The great ones of our game miss simple strokes at times. The following clipping Is taken from Annual Report of the Dannevirke Chess and Draughts Club:— Your committee is anxious to encourage young people to take up the games of chess and draughts. In these days many youths cannot find employment to occupy their minds. Except for the boy of a studious bent there is lacking a stimulus for mental activity, and the seriousness of this problem has been recognized by many. If these boys would learn to play draughts or chess, and could be induced to come along to the club for practice with more experienced players, they would have a most enjoyable recreation that would at the same time afford an impetus to their mental development.

9.14-a 22.18 11.16-1 22.17 22.18-b 11.16-f 19.15 7.10 5.9-c 29.25 10.19 28.24 24.19-d 1.5-g 24.15 10.26 11.15 25.22 16.19 17.1 18.11 7.11-h 23.16 8.24 27.24 12.19 28.19 16.20 26.23 Draw 4.8-e 32.28 19.26 25.22 20.27 30.23 8.11 31.24 3.7

Black: Muir. White: McIntosh. 9.14 17.13 10.23 10.15 27.31 22.18 8.11 17.1 19.26 15.19 5.9 29.25 22.25 31.22 31.26 25.22-a 1.5 13.6 25.29 30.23 12.16-b 26.22 2.9 21.17 29.25 24.19-c 3.8 1.6 5.9 17.14 16.20 22.17 9.13 15.18-h 25.21 28.24 8.12 6.2-g 16.19 14.5 11.15-d 25.22 7.10 18.15 21.17-1 18.11 11.16-e 2.6 19.24 8.15 22.18-f 10.15 27.23 Draw. 22.17 15.22 6.10 24.27 4.8 19.15 15.19 23.18