DRAUGHTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17837, 4 May 1926, Page 13

DRAUGHTS.

(By WILL-O’-THE-WISP.) Solutions of problems, games and items of interest are invited for publication in this column.

POSITION NO. 25G. By R. E. Sanderson. Black 20, 22; king 4

EGAN WIN'S AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP. The result of the week’s play in the Australian championship again demonstrates Egan’s ability as a match-win-ner (says Melbourne “Leader”). After a remarkable tie with Moodie, whet? bo beat the .Tasmanian by winning four games to throe, his Victorian supporters thought that by losing three games the champion was not in his usual form. Subsequent play dispelled the after disposing of Harris, Rickard and Boyles, he was the only unbeaten , competitor, and retained the title. It was a matter for regret that Moodie was knocked out so early ih the tournament, as with - ordinarv luck in the draw this fine player would have been close up at the finish. The surprise of the tournament was the early downfall of Holmes, runner-up in the 3 9.44 tourney. Harris, the aboriginal piaster, was responsible for his second defeat, a fine performance against h player of Holmes’s calibre. Rickard, the New South Wales champion, was 'n great form, and beat all his opponents With the exception of the champion. Prize Winners: 11. Egan (Victoria), first; V. Rickard (New South Wales 3 second; J. Boyles (Victoria), third; J. Armstrong (’Victoria), fourth; J. Harris (South Australia), fifth; J. V. Earle (South Australia), sixth. Consolation Prize: G. Moodie first; T. G. Richards, second. Some of the endings played in the tourney:— Black (Egan).—2. 3. 5,6, 7; king 31. White (Harris). —13, 16, 17, IS, 31, 20; king, 4. Black to move. 31—27, SO—26, 27—24, 26—,23, 24—27, 15—12, 27—24, 17—14—eventually drawn. Black (Armstrong).—3, 5,9, 12, 14, 16. White (Moodie).- —IS, 19, 23, 23, 26, 27. Black to play. 3—7, 26—22, 7—ll, 19—15, 16—19, 28—7, 14—32. Drawn. Black (Armstrong).— l, 2,9, 10, 11, 12. White (Mdodie).—lS, 19, 21, 2.1, 27, 31.

Black Wins. Black (Mo6die).—-2, 3. 5, 12; king, 22. White (Egan).—3 0. 11, 14, 15, 21, 23. Black to play. 22——18, 23—19, IJU-9, 10—7. 3—lo, lo—6, B—3, 7—ll, 3—B, 11—lfi, I—6. Black wins. DRAUGHTS NOTES. Draughts players will learn with regret of the death of .Mr H. F. Shearer, author df that valuable work on the two-move restriction play which bears his name. Commenting on his death, the “Draughts Review’’ says: ”Mr Shearer was undoubtedly a master in all. branches or the game. - He was a skilled ' crods-board ’ exoonent of the highest rank, one of the pioneers of simultaneous blindfold play, a fine problemist, n profound analyst, and, last but not least, a successful author, and first-class draughts journalist. Such a combination of qualities Is very rare indeed, and, given suitable expression, as in Mr Shearer’s case, was bound to confer distinction on its possessor.”

White 30; kin* I Black to move and win. The play is as follows:— 4 S 24 —27 22—2*5 8—H , I— 6 10—14 30—23 19 15 20—24 27—31 SI 26 5* 6—10 J 4—1 S US—10 * 6 "" Black wins. •

Black to play. 9 —14 23—IS IS—22 8—15 18 9 14—23 10-T- 7 27—24 1— 5 ' 22—17 23 —27 20—1G 81—-26 7—11 24—20 24—20 B—14 17—14 2 7—32 15—11 26 — 22 10—17 7— S 25—30 11—15 21—14 22—25 27— 24 15—IS 3— S 2— 7 14—10 32—27