Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-09-12
Checker Items of Interest,

The sensible remarks of the late T. P.
Bull, of the Detroit Free Press with regard
to chess, mold equally true of draughts. He
says: MANY chess players have a jealous
regard for little local reputation, and, un-
fortunately, avoid encounters on all oc-
casions except when victory is certain and
easy The consequence is that they soon
find their own play deteriorate, while the
disin clination to hard games becomes strong
er every day. He advises his readers not to
evade conflict, whether they are in or out
of play. They may rest assured that time
will work n right conclusion. The courage
ous combatant may lose an odd game when
indisposed, but he will preserve his faculty
unimpaired-nay, strengthened. A chess
reputation Is not made by the gain or
lowered by the loss of one match. 1t grows
out of an average in a course of years. The
winning Of games is but little; the manner
in which they are won rything. A game
won by fine play tends to the advancement
of the science; victory due to an opponents
blunder counts for nothing"
Antiquity of Draughts-The great an
tiQuity of the game of draughts has long
been the theme of its admirers, and is well
authenticated, mention of the game being
found in the classical literature of Greece
and Rome, and sculptured representations
of the board and men recovered from the
ruined cities of Ancient Egypt, after having
lain buried for period of over 1000 years.
In Maspero's Egyptian archaeology, published
in 1867, occurs the following confirmatory
reference to the game, which we are sure
will be read by all its admirers with great in
loving and satirical, were caricathrists from
an early period. One of the Turin papyri
chronicles the courtship of a shaven priest
and a songstress of Anon in a series of
spirited yignettes, while on the back of the
same sheet are sketched various serio-comic
scenes in which animals parody the pursuits
of civilized man.
An ass, lion, q crocodile and an ape are
represented in the act of giving a vocal and
instrumental concert: lion and gaZelle
play at draughts; the Pharoah of all the rats,
In a chariot drawn by dogs gallops to the
assault of a fortress garrisoned by CATS O
cat of fashion, with flower on her head,
has come to blows with a goose, and the
hapless fowl, powerless i'll SO unequal con-
test, topples over with h-terror."
That the game was then well known, and
commonly practised, we may be sure or it
would not have been chosen as the subject
of caricature, probably representing, it
may be conjectured, some well-known indi-
viduars overbearing characteristics when
engaged in play. The idea of the lion and
gazelle engaged in friendly contest, with
only the board between them, is exceed.
should he be fortunate (or unfortunately
enough to win.-Leeds Mercu7y.
MI. Wyllie's total score at London is $40
games played, of which the veteran scored
272 lost only g. and 63 were drawn. He also
contested AZ games at Woolwicb, of which
he won 3s, lost !, and were drawn. On Mon
day, the champion commenced his Bristol
engagement, and up to our. latest advices
had played Ii games, two of which were
drawn, and the remainder scored by Mr..
Wyllie.
Mr. r. W. Patterson, of this city, had a
long letter from the champion of the world,
expressing his sincere thanks and gratitude
for the 800 he sent to compensate for his
money unjustly forfeited to Mr.. Reed in the
late dispute.
Checker PLAYERS who are interested in the
great checker contest at Chicago will find
full particulars in the sporting columns OF
The DISPATCH every morning.