SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2815, 26 February 1908, Page 67

SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIP.

The sixteenth annual tournament held under the auspices of the Scottish Draughts Association?- to decide the draughts championship of Scotland, was opened in the Lesser City Hall, Glasgow, on New Years Day. Among those present were Councillor D. Graham,' and Messrs James Moir, James Deans, T. Ballantyno, J. 8., Hatton, W. M'Creadie, and J. Brown (secretary). In the list of previous winners we have the last three- tournaments all carried off by that draught* playing phenomenon, - George Buchanan. A like number of victonea have fallen to Mr. Tames Feme-, two to Mir H. Freedman, five to Mi K. Stewart, one each to Mr Bryden and, Mr R. Jordan. Sixteen players-have entered this year, against 17 on the first year of the tourney, 35 last year, and 27 the year before. The players who have entered a-re.-J. Burns (Glasgow), R. T. Ward (Birmingham), W. M'lnnes (Glasgow), T. S. Hulley (Glasgow), A. Battersby (Glasgow), B. Scobbie (Hamilton), A. M. Craig (Paisley), G. M. Bonar (Rutherglen), T. Foley (Galashiels), A. B. Scott (Govan), W. Bryden (Glasgow), A. Ingli» (Burnbank) J, Ballantrne (Bridgeton), J. Ferric (Glasgow), Georg* Smith (Bridgeton), J. Campbell (Glasgow).

The tournament was open«d by the President (Councillor Duncan Graham), who, at the close of an interesting speech, announced the draw for th« first round as under: — A. B. Scott v. W. M'lnne«, R. Scobbie v. J. Ferric, A. Inglis v. A. iJattersby, Gfeorge Smith v. J. Burns, G. M. Boner v. T. Foley, W. Sryden v. Craig, J. Campbell -.y. H. T. Ward, T. 8. Hulley v. J. Ballantyne. Hulley 1 scored the fiist win of the tourney in a 22 18 Denny from the following position : Black: 6, 7, 10, 12, 13, 14: White: 16. 19, 20, 21, 22, 26; Black to play. Here everybody expected the " Cut,". 14 17, but instead of that Ballantyne played 6 9, 26 23, 10 IS, 19 3, 12 26, 3 7, 26 31, 7 10, 81 26, 10 17, 26 23, 20 16, 23 19, 16 12, 19 23, 12 8, BaHantjne resigned. Feme and Scobbie got very critical in a 22 17 Dundee, but by cautious manoeuvring a draw was arrived at. In the second game Feme had the Blacks, with the same opening, Play proceeded very slowly until about mid-game, when Ferric sacrificed a piece to get «■ king, and aa Scobbie ha.4 a hard toad to travel to break into Feme's crown-head matters seemed to b& looking serious for Scdbbie, when, after a»- hour's hard 1 play, the following ending was reached: — Black: 1, 5, 18, king 15; White: 21, 17, 13, 7; White (Scobbie) to play— lf 14, 18 23, 72, 23 26, 2 7, 28 30, 7 2, 30 26, 2 7, 26 22, 7 2, §2 17, Scobbie resigned. Batte'raby won with -the 'Blacks in the- 22 17 j Bristol from Inglis. M'lnnes won the second siae of the 24 20 Bristol from Sco#. Hulley I scored both aides <A the Denny from Ball&ntyne, .When play was resumed in the evening, there was _• large attendance, including

several ladies. Banar was first to finish hi* tie by winning a Switcher from Foley, of Galashiels. Ferric «nd Scobbie had tha Brirtol Crosa for their second opening. Towards the end of the game Ferric got in a Strong position, so much 90 that he should have scored from the following position: — 1 Black : 9, 14, 16, 23 ; White : 12, 21, 28, king 1 7. White (Ferric) to play, which he did by going 7 11, 16 20, 13 8, 23 26, 8 3, 26 81, S 7, 31 26, 11 15, 26 23. Given up a« drawn. After a few minutes\rest a second Bristol Cross was entered upon, and wa« * conducted on even lines until the piece« were reduced to five a-side, when Ferri« managed to get three kings and a single pieca against Scobbce's two kings and twa single pieces. After a veiy long ending Ferris increased his advantage until Scobbie waa forced to resign. * Scott and M'lnnes had 23 19 " Double) Corner " for their third game. The play got very critical, and continued so until tha following ending was reached: — Black: 9, kings 2, 19; White: 14, 22, king 17; Whitw (Scott) to move— l 7 13. a 7, 13 17, 7 11, 17 21, 11 707 0 21 17, 7 2, 17 13, 19 23, 13 17, 23 26, 22 18, 26 23, 17 13, 2 6, 18 15, 6 2, 15 11, 23 18; Scott resigned. Their fourth game ended in a draw. Campbell equalised with Ward by winning their sixth game in splendid style. Hulley has to draw the Black side of the Keka exchange to win his heat against Ballantyne. Craig succeeded in scoring his fourth gar&a from Bryden. On the second day Hulley defeated John ; Ballantyne, of Bridgeton, by agreeing to draw their sixth game. The ending was as; follows:— Black: 1, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15; White: 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, 30, 32; Whits (Ballantyne) to play— 26 23, 1 6. At thio point they arranged to a draw. Campbell and Ward had a 24 20 " Kelso " . . for their seventh game. Ward brought oti \ a shot towards the middle of the game, 1 which landed C»mpbell in the folio-wing 1 losing position:— Black: 1. 11, 15, 19, 28; White: 14, 22, 27, 31, 32; Black (CampbellJl ' to play— l 6, 14 10, 6 9, 10 7, 9 14, 7 % 11 16, 2 7, 14 18, 7 11, 18 25, 11 18, 14 10, i. 18 15 ; White wins. Campbell had no better luck in their eighth' - game, having had to resign at the following » position:— Black: 1, 5, 12, kings 11, 26: r White: 21, 22, 18, king 3; White (Campbell; 1 to play; Black wins. 1 Scott and M'lnne» had a " Single Corner '*■ * fox their fifth game. Scott, with the Whita - pieces, built up a strong game, and even- » tually gained a piece at the following position:—Black: 1, 2, 7- 11, 12, 25; White:" S, 14, 20, 23, 24, 28, 81; Back (M'lnnes) to go— ll 16, 23 19, 15 18, 19 16, 12 19, 24 13, 25 30; Scott wins. . Scott succeeded ' in winning both sides ol the "Single Corner" from M'lnnes, thereby * equalising' their score at the sixth game,- ■ somewhat marvellous achievement on th« part of Scott, who was two games down. > Battersby lost the White side of the 80 2f : " Switcher " to Inglis. The following show< { the ending: — Black? 2, 3, kings 15, 19} White: 19, 20, kings 8, 14; White (Battersbyj to play— l 49, 15 18, 8 11, 19 15, 11 B, ' 15 10. i 8 11, 18 14," 9 18, 10 15, 11 7, 15 22, 7 10. \ 22 18, 20 16, "2 7, 10 6, 18 15; Battersb* resigned. Batteraby again equalised by visj ning with the Black sid« of the " Switcher *' by a brilliant ahot which, gained him. a piece. Bryden and Craig had the " Edinburgh." Brvden only drew with ihe strong side, bu* in 'playing the weak side contrived to gain the following position: — Black: 1, 6, kings 15, 31; White: 14, 22, 26, king 2; White (Craig) to play— 22 18, looks forced, and lose* a piece by 31 22, 18 11, 22 18, 2 7, 18 0, 7 10, and after * great many more movet Craig resigned, leaving the scores equal. * Just as we go to press the final result if to hand. Ferric beat Battersby for first priz^ and the title by 1 to 0 and 7 draws. Scoti and Ward played six drawn games, and them decided to divide third and fourth prises; The details given above are from the Glasgon Weekly Herald.