DRAUGHTS

Southland Times, Issue 22293, 7 April 1934, Page 19

DRAUGHTS

CONDUCTED BY T. HUTCHINS. “Let icience give releaeo To minds o’er wrought by care and thought. The battlefield of peace.” Let the checker board be brought. PROBLEM No. 585. By J. Berry. Black—l, 19, 20, 21; K. 27.

White—s. 28, 30; Ks. 11, 18. White to play and win. The above is from the Nottinghamshire Guardian, being a "Double Comer" ending (apparent from 9,14, 22.18, 5.9. 18.15, 11.18. 21.17, which would leave the men on 5 and 21 as shown) between J. Berry, Halifax, and C. Powell, Hull, played in the club match for the "Leeds Mercury" shield. At the above stage Mr Powell agreed to call the game a draw, but after the match Mr Berry pointed out a very neat win for Mr Powell. PROBLEM No. 586. By E. A. Jones. Black—2, 7, 24; K. 23.

White—ll. 19; Ks. 15. 16. White to play and win. A somewhat novel position, with delightful play in trunk and variations. White wins. Black wins and draws. We are indebted to the Launceston Examiner for our problems this week. GAMES. Here are two interesting Switcher games played in the recent match at Cedar Point, 0., U.S.A, between Edwin F. Hunt, publicity director of the A.C.A. and H. B. Reynolds, president. The match was played under the three-move restriction and was won by Mr Hunt by 3 wins to one and 11 draws. The notes are by the winner. From the American Checker Monthly. GAME No. 689. Switcher. Black: H. B. Reynolds. White: Edwin F. Hunt.

(a) A three-move opening which runs into a favourite under any style of play—the Switcher. (b) 24.19 is the simplest defense but the move taken is the most popular because best analyzed. (c) These moves initiate the strongest attack known to the Switcher, but it lias been too much exploited to be effective. (d) Although not the only draw, tills is safest. (e) With no win in prospect Black clears the ending of a game which lias followed time-worn play. 31.27, 1.5, 10.15, 7.11 also draws. GAME No. 690. Switcher.

(a) Either this or 31.26 is a sound defense. (b) I hoped for the defence which Mr Reynolds adopted against this line. (c) 25.21 is a little easier line. (d) Trickier than the more usual 7.10 and came as a stirprise to Mr Reynolds. However this 12.16 is not new and has been booked. » (e) 27.24 leads to a draw by 8.11, 22.17. 16.20, 32.27, 11.16, 30.26, 6.10, 13.6, 10.14. 13.9, 5.21, 26.23, published play by Tescheleit. Now 7.11, 24.19 draws, but instead of 24.19. 6.2 loses by 11.15, 2.6, 21.25, 6.10, 25.30, 10.19, 30.26, B. wins. (f) 30.25, 10.14, 18.15. 11.18, 22.15. 14.18, 23.14, 9.18, 27.24. 16.20, 24.19, 5.9, 19.16, 9.14. 16.11, 18.23, 12.8, 3.12, 11.7 draws. (g) The losing move. T. Quinlan points out this neat draw:—27.24, 15.22. 23.18. 16.20, 24.19, 11.16, 19.15, 16.19, 15.10, 6.15. 18.11. drawn. (h) Too late Mr Reynolds perceives that 30.25 is beaten by 18.22, 25.18, 16.19, hence the desperate sacrifice. SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS. PROBLEM No. 581. By S. J. Pickering. Black—6. 10; Kings 4, 11. White—s, 20; Kings 1. 13. Black to play and win. 11.15 4. 8 8.12 6. 9 15.11 20.16 16.11 11. 7 13. 6 B. wins PROBLEM NO. 582. By E. Svenning. Black—4. 11. 19; Kings 10, IG. White—l 7; Kings 9. 12. 27. Black to play and win. 10. 7 11.15 19.27! 7. 3 3. 8 12. 8-a 8.11 27.20 11.18 B. wins (a) If 9.14, then 16.20 wins by ordinary play-

11.15 21.17 13.22 26.17 15.22 32.28 1. 6-c 8.15 4. 8 5. 1 27.23 6. 2 9.13-a 15.18•c 6.10 22.26 5. 9 19.23-e 25.21 24.20 24.19 31.22 17.13 22.18 8.11 2. 6■C 11.15 6?9 9.14 23.26 17.14-b 29.25 23.18 15. 6 13. 9 18. 9 10.17 18.22 15.24 9.27 15.19 10.14 21.14 25.18 28.19 19.15•d 9. 5 30.23 G.10 10.15 3. 8-c 7.10 27.31 8.11 22.17 28.24 18.15 15.11 2. 7 Drawn

Black: : Hunt. White: Reynolds. 11.15 6.10 15.24 17.26 7.10 18.27 21.17 22.17 28.19 31.22 22.17-f 30.25 9.13 13.22 6. 9-b 12.16-d 10.15 16.20 25.21 26.17 23.18-c 19.12 18.14-g 25.21 8.11 4. 8 1. 6 11.16 9.18 6.10 17.14 29.25 17.13 27.23-e 23.14 Black 10.17 2. 6 10.17 8.11 15.18 wins 21.14 24.19-a 25.22 32.27 27.23-h