Draughts.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11685, 29 April 1916, Page 16

Draughts.

(By "WILL 0' THE WISP.) SOLUTION OF PROBLEM No. 91. (By A. J. Hcffnor.) Blnck: 6, 14; "king- 20. Wliito: Kings 15, 25. Black to play and win. 20—24 27—24 10—15 18—23 25—23 7—ll 2G—3O 14—IS 24—27 21—28 18-22 22—26 15—11 22—26 7-10 6—lo 14—18 15—18 11— 7 11— 7 10—14' Black wins. SOLVERS. Con-ret solution of Problem No. 91 received from N.L.0.. Waitohi; J.C, St AlImns; Tom, Rmitfiora; Checkers, Sydenham; A.8., Oamaru; and Player, Ashburfon. PROBLEM No. 91. (By F-. A. Jones, Victoria). 'Black: G, 7; king 11.

A NOTED GAME. The "Denny." This is tho justly celebrated game that J. Seanght (Scotland) won from A. J. Heffnor (America) in tho great international match played at Boston: Black: Heffncr. White: Soaright. 30—14 24—10(a) 17—10 26-22 V- 0 o—lo _ S—ll 30—25 '22—18 22—17 30—23 22—17 (h)2— 7 2R-** 2.3-18 0- 5 7-16 2 r~ !) i ~ •> 17—i;; g—lo o—U 7—io 2:3—2G 23—27 29—25(b) 24r~20 5 1 10-17 11—15 10—lo 26—81 S—l2 25—2-J IS—U (i— o 17—11 8—11(c) 16-aa al _ 27 18 __<v* 22-17 14— 0 1- 0 - 21-17 ."? S 25 2a 22—"5 "7—32 26-2J j 31—26(g) 13-!) ' H-lfl 1 — (Vd) 2 7 -'5 03 30 <yj 32-51S(o) 27-21 V-f, 10-"? U—l6 7—lo 27—23 23—1.8 22-18 5- .1 5- l (i) 17-14 In— 22 2f)—23 23—2G 19—15 I—6 i_s Whito wins, (a) An opening that leads to very subtle Play. 1 (b)26 22 is •strong', and mora often played. J (c) Tory natural, but row proved weak; 7 —ll ia prqferabie. (d) Given as tho losing move. There maj bo a draw by 11 —16. (e) Soaright scores a. wonderful-win-from here. (f) Before this game Whiio used to jump into square 3. Tho Scottish players noted tho strength of this " take," and Searight was the. first to got it on. (g) An 'ingenious move. (h) Heffnor niado an excellent defence, but the case is hopeless. This is tho only gamo that was lost by the American expert, a splendid performance. (i) This gmn-o. which lasted Roven hours, Aroused great excitement among' tho spectators at Boston. When tlie British win was announced there was a demonstration, and both players were congratulated on a fiuo performance. THE LATE FRANK DCNOCE. We'receirlly noted briefly die death of Mr Frank Dunne, of Warrington, England, whose name has boon a household word for many years, lie died ou Now Year"* Day, after 1 tnrco weeks' illness, in his sixty-third year. ihe following- brie/ sketch is" from the " Yorkshire : Post": Prank Dunne was a Yorkshireman by birth, Jjcing born at Easington on February 23, 1853, wliero his progenitors—originally of Scottish descent—had been settled for &omo generations. When but eight years old .he learnt tho rudiments of the game from an elder sister, and when in his teens removed north, where for some years he was employed at Armstrong's Ekwick Ordnance Works, where he found many other followers of the game, and, getting better practice, improved rapidly in skill. Some few years later he migrated with his parents-to 'Birmingham, where he got in touch with tho looal players, and, following the attempts of E. Lord and •' Denny" to play blindfold, ho quickly eclipsed them both. These are the earliest records of playing draughts without sight in this country. In the early part of 1872 Mr Dunn© xeuioved to Leeds, another strong; —centre of the game. Hero he introduced blindfold play, which was regarded then fts something marvellous. The story is told of how he gave his first display, sitting blindi fold with his hands tied behind him. Strickland, who later achieved such fame in the same line, was one of the most sceptical, and took a seat immediately before him, to try and wrest from him tho secret of how it was done.

About that date Martins, the ex-champion of tile world, visited Leeds, and, expressing doubts of the possibility of playing without fight, offered to play our friend, and givei him a man start as a test. Mr Dunne vindicated his reputation by winning the game in 76 moves. Six months later the. champion, Wyllie, came to Leeds, and engaged Frank in a similar contest, being successful in trapping 1 the blindfold player into a draw, with four kings against five. Mr Dunne was a player of the front rank, and represented England against Scotland in the 183:1 and 1899 matches. Ho was chosen for tie first international, 1884, but family illness prevented his taking part. Ho also took part in several of the championship tourneys, though he failed to come in the first flight, of prize winners. As an organiser his services will be much missed, as he was one of a small band who founded tho English and' Lancashire Draughts Association, and later the _ Yorkshire Association, of which, though resident in Lancashire, lie was the first, president. As a draughts editor, he was, perhaps, mostly widely known, 'occupying that post first in the "Leeds Magnet,'' in 1875 or 1876, and later in the early nineties, taking charge of the " Leeds Mercury Weekly Supplement" column to its close. He afWwards d:*d other editorial work, and edited and published various books on the game, the most prominent being " The Draughts Plnyers' Guide and Companion," in 1891, and his last, crowning effort . " Draughts Praxis," 1905. of which a revised and corrected edition has since appeared. Of a kindly and homely disposition, ever ready to extend a helping hand to the seeker of further knowledge. Mr Dunne will b*» greatly misEpd; we know not where to seek for one to fill his place.