CHESS CONGRESS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 308, 29 December 1902, Page 2

CHESS CONGRESS.

THE SECOND ROUND,

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

DUNEDIN, Saturday.

The chess champion tournament was continued en Saturday, when the second round was completed.

Caslien v. Barnes. —What is known as Bird's defence was taken by Cashen, Barnes replying- B to R4. On the 18th move Barnes g-ained a pawn, thereby making- an advantageous opening- for his knight. Subsequently Caslien lost a bishop, which eventually led to 'his resignation on the 44th move.

Edwards v. Forsyth.—Edwards offered king's gambit, which Forsyth declined by B to 84. The opening, however, took a gambit form, as Edwards gave up a pawn to secure rapid development and a strenuous attack. Until the 18th move Forsyth's position was craxnnod as a set-oft' against a pawn he had Avon, but he afterwards got his pieces into play, and secured three more pawns. Edwards resigned at the 45th move, as the sacrifice of his queen was the only remedy against checkmate.

Kelling v. Mason. — These players adopted the four-knights opening. In dislodging a .awn, Masor exposed bis position, and Kelling then worked up a strong attack witb tw~ bishops, first winning a knight, and afterwards a rook. Mason thereupon resigned at the 38th move.

Miles v. Grierson.—Miles opened with a variation of Ruy Lopez, which required a very careful defence up to the 18th move, when tbe position became even. An interesting struggle took place up to the 42nd move, when Miles won a pawn; but Grierson equalised matters again by regaining tbe pawn, with an exchange of rooks on tbe 47th move. This left a knight and three pawns to each player, and in the evenirg Miles and Grierson agreed up~n a draw. Warsaw v. Balk.—These selected the Sicilian defence. Warsaw worked up an apparently ingenious but really unsound combination, and lost a bishop on the 27th move, and subsequently a -awn. Balk gradually improved bis advantage, and forced a win on tbe 70th move.

Tbe Northern reps, were entertained at a theatre party by tbe president of the Otago Chess Club last night, and to-day tbey and their friends were taken for a drive to Outram.