DRAUGHTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16416, 3 May 1921, Page 4

DRAUGHTS.

Bv " WILL-O’-TH'-WTSP ”) Game?, new S and notes and solution of problems are invited. Orginal problems will also be welcomed for publication in this column. PROBLEM No. 1. By H. P. Lyman. New York. Black: 7. 10, king 14.

"White • 5: king 3. Black to play and win. A FINE COUP. The following game, illustrating a fine coup ir. the '• Will-o'-th'-Wisp ” opening, ia taken from the “ Draught's World." Black—E- Austin. White—W. Blyth.

Drawn. Notes by R. B. Bop, " Detroit Tribune." I would like to see this game critioised; perhaps there are, losing moves before, the big series of captures takes place The -situation at this end looks like a. White win. but it. Tins been wrought over by the members of the -Detroit Checker Club, and only a draw secured. (a) Varies from Anderson, who plays 32—27. lb) 3—B, 25—22, I —s, 82—28 is back to Anderson’s play, and 2—6, or 11—J6 in pla-ce. of I —s. or 3—B are not good alternative moves, nicther is 4 —B. (c) 25 —22, 3—B, 32 —28 is back to Anderson’s play. Therefore, it seems that the "big ffliot, ” can bo brought up soundly on both sides of the game by playing I—s, prior to 3—B. and holding man back on 21. THE WORLD'S CHAMPIONSHIP. We should soon be receiving word of the. great match for the- world's championship between Banks and Stewart, which was set to ta.ke place at Baxter (says Otago ‘‘Witness"). Both players ere. ‘of course, well known. Newel) W. Banks, the American claimant for the championship, is only thirty-three, veara of age. Although he lias tailed to win the, American championship in open tourney, he has never suffered defeat, in set matches. Ris principal victories in match play were scored from Messrs Brown (for the juvenile championship of America) Harri gan, the, late Hugh Henderson, and Alfred Jordan. Banks has a wonderful record at simultaneous and blindfold simultaneous play, m this re*peer, being the openly acknowledged peer of any other American player. Robert Stewart, who js looked upon as the defender of the title, ia R bout fortysix- yeajH old, and ha 3 a fine record WW still in his teens be won third prise in the Scottish championship tourney of 1803 defeating R. Jordan and Ferrie. In 1694 he won first prize, defeating Ferrie da the final He won tha title again in 1895, and in 1900-1 and 1902. In the match with America in 1905 ho played 38 games to a score of seven wins and 31 draws—not, a, game ioet. . Only two other members of the British team, did not, lose a game—R Jordan, with 1.3 wins and 27 draws, and Buchanan, with eight, wins and 32 draws. Stow art has a wonderful record in exhibition play, end in blindfold annuli-

ta.neou3 performances ha,s the absolutely unique record of never having: lost a, game. No other player, living or dead, has such a record to his name. The .Banks—Stewart jnatch was to consist of 40 games lor £‘soo.

U—15 10—l 4 ?•— S ‘22—22 :3—19 27—23 19—36 -6— .1 0—13 8—11 12—19 13—17 22—IS 24—20 24 - 6 21—U 15- 22 o - in 11 -1.6 9—27 25—18 23—24(a) 20—H. 31—24 5— 0 1— 5(b) 8-29 2— 9 29—25 32—98(c) 30—25