DRAUGHTS ITEMS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 387, 24 July 1889, Page 3

DRAUGHTS ITEMS.

The problem this week is considered one of the best. The "American Checker Review," speaking of it, says:— "Our admirafcion for this problem of the wonderful blindfold player is so great that we would almost deem our volume incomplete unless its beauty and practicability were snown to our readers. 1b is extremely difficult. Indeed, when Mr Strickland originally published it he was unable to state a positive result. Every move is of importance, and those who will give it, close study will not only be able to win should it occur in play, but may be enabled to draw against any opponent not thoroughly acquainted with bhe exact style of play necessary to win." After the cpmpletion, of play' in the town and country match at Dunedin, the players, to the number of 40, sat down to a supper provided by the town team. Advantage was taken of the opportunity in order to bring up the subject of holding a draughts tournament in connection with the Dunedin Exhibition. Mr L. Shaw stated that the Committee of the Dunedin Club had taken the preliminary steps in the matter, and had entered into communication with several prominent draughts players throughout New Zealand. It was intended to have five prizes : First, £50 ; second, £30 ; third, £20 ; fourth, £15 ; and fifth, '£lo ; and Mr Brown (of Brown, Ewing, and Co.), Mr William Fenwick (editor of "Otago Witness "), and Mr James Sqoular (Mayor of

Mornington) had consented . to act as trustees of the prize fund. The meeting endorsed all the steps that had been taken, and elected Mr 1 L, Shaw chairman of the Contral Committee,- \vith Mr Joseph Aberncthy and Mr C. ' Foster (Sawyer's Bay) a& joint honorary sooretaries. Ii was further agreed that the office-bearers of all draughts clubs in tho Province of Otago should be members of Committee, and should be invited to assist in raising funds and to help in carrying the projoct of an Exhibition Draughts Tourney to a successful issue. Mr Alexander Scores, draughts editor of the "Newcastle Weekly Chronicle,'' has passed over to the great majority. Tho match between Messrs Houston and Gray for the Lo Fovre Trophy ended in a drawn battle with the score of two wins each and 4 "draws. Of course Mr Gray is now on titled to retain posscs&ion of theLe Fevre Trophy. understand, however, that the question of tho rolative superiority of Mr (iray and Mr Houston may possibly , be tested by another friendly match. Tho content for the championship of South Australia ended" on tho 18th of June. The final round was between Mr IJ.1 J . E. Lester and Mr J. Gardiner. The contest was very close, but- terminatod in favour of the former. Mr Lester therefore wins -tho championship of South Australia, together with the trophy presented by the Mayor of Adelaide. The second prize, a silver cup, valued at four guineas, gods to Mr Gardiner, and -Mi>'T£ogg takes the third pvhe — a number of volumes on the game of draughts.