DEATH OF A DRAUGHTS CHAMPION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1274, 13 March 1918, Page 6

DEATH OF A DRAUGHTS CHAMPION.

The news that Mr Charles Erickson, the draughts champion of the Wellington Working Men’s Club, and also of the Wellington Watersiders’ Club, had passed away in Christchurch on Friday last, was received with very great regret in Wellington draughts circles, says the “Post.” Mr Erickson, who left Wellington live months ago to take up temporary employment in the South Island, strained his heart while engaged in harvesting, and died of syncope shortly afterwards, lie joined the Wellington Working Men's Club in 1911, winning the club’s draughts championship the same year in a “two-life knock-out” tourney. 11 is record in the club’s tourneys is as follows; 1912: 321 points out of a possible 36; 1013: 501 points out out a possible 60; 1914; 44 points out of 52; 1917: 52 points out of a possible 56. On eardi of these occasions he was the top-scorer. The 1917 performance was a particularly fine one, viz., 50 wins, 2 losses, and 4 draws. He also put up some good records in the Watersiders’ Frauv,hts Club —his best being in last year’s championship contest, which he won with the line tally of 78 wins, 3 losses, and 9 draws. These figures are the more creditable because several of his opponents were seasoned players armed with a useful amount of book knowledge. Mr Erickson also took part in several matches between our two local clubs, and never once lost a game in llicve fixtures, lie also represented his club with credit at the New Zealand championship tourneys held in Wellinglon, Auckland, and Core. Mis fine play in the last of these congresses (at Invercargill in 1915) approximated very i losely to the Australasian championship standard. Mr Erickson, who was a native of Hwe.den and about 40 years of age, was very popular with his comrades.