TIE FOR LEAD

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 1, 2 January 1945, Page 2

TIE FOR LEAD

CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

FINAL GAME TO-MORROW

At the completion this morning of the ninth round of the New Zealand chess championship the title-holder, R. G. Wade and T. Lepviikman, both of Wellington, tied for leading place, each with eight points. Their position is practically unassailable, as J. A. Moir (Auckland), with Ci points, is the only contestant who has a chance of passing their present score. To do this Moir would have to win his two remaining rounds, and the two Wellington leaders would have to lose both of their games. On present form this does not seem to be likely. Wade has to play two of the weaker contestants. Lepviikman has a harder task In meeting M. Stewart, the brilliant 16-year-old Canterbury player, and the equally outstanding young player Reindler, from Wanganui. In his game this morning Wade had a draw with Moir, this being his second draw In the tournament, while Lepviikman defeated Rolling, thus having won 'eight games out of nine, his only loss being in the match against Wade. At the completion of the ninth round in the major open tournament, N. T. Fletcher (Wellington) was leading with 7i points, followed by D. R. Richards (Auckland) and N. S. Henderson (Wellington), each with Gi. The tenth round will be played this afternoon, adjourned games this evening, and the final round to-morrow morning, the session commencing at i) o'clock. Championship Aggregates Wade and Lepviikman, each 8 points; Moir, (ii; Reindler and Stewart, each r>l; Belton, -11; Miss Meyer, 4; Fletcher, :ii; Kelling and Adkins, each 3; McSherry, li; Webling, 1. SEVENTH ROUND T. Lepviikman (Wellington), v. P. G. McSherry (Auckland), Reti's opening: McSherry lost his queen on the I9th move, and. seeing vhe P °j k" (Wellington), v. J. K. Kelling (Wellington). Kind's Bishop: This was a. fast match as chess goes, taking less than an hour ana a half. Weblinsr had the misfortune to lose a knight for a pawn in the early stages. Later he missed an opportunity of regaining the piece, and he was forced to resign at the 42nd move. J. Adkins (Auckland), v. A. L. Fletcher (Auckland) King's Gambit accepted: Fletcher played Cunningham's gambit, securing rapid development. This had a devastating effect on Aiklns cramped position. With a. preponderance of material In, the middle (tame. Fletcher forced his opponent's resignation at move 34. Miss Meyer (Wellington). V. O. P. Belton (Auckland) centre counter: Belton had a backward pawn and towards the end Miss Meyer concentrated on it. The exploitation of this u-nl-nr*;'; fnrrpd Belton's resignation at move 50. j A Mo°r<Auckland), v. W. Reindler (Wanganui) Queen's Indian: Reindler lost a pawn In the opening, which, against such an experienced player as Moir, cramped his game. In the middle game the pawn deficiency forced Reindler to KTXntU? , *? d mov ( e w 4 l , 2 l j lngton) v . M . Stewart i±r^r h^l^2tlS±£-! Ind 5 fhTmore sFS. c ± n d de w- cau the sf r o ?\= 0 n throughout the session. The game was.even up to the 38th move. Afterwards Wade obtained the £&*£S P had U To r-P^t* Sn ba« tftlVSfcoSfd n h ot «& from promoting a pawn he resigned, at move 64.

EIGHTH BOUND Fletcher v Lcpvtlkman.—Stonewall opening: In short order. Fletcher resigned on the 21st "liS'iidlcr v Wade.—Queen's pawn game: Wade secured a better position In the opening, and forced RelncUer's resignation on the 27th move by defence, This game was o n S d Cly m oT test 4V n hid en a^ni B ht\n d d r^ iX O, pawns at that stage with no winning chances for either "'Stewart v Webling.—Sicilian defence: Wcbllnc gavee knight for two pawns in the early middle fame, obtaining a solid pawn centre. .Stewart clevcrlv exchanged all the pieces and in the ending his remaining knight proved superior to Wetting's two pawns, the latter giving in at the 49 Kellin°g VC v. Adkins.—Scotch game: Adkins gave up a pawn lor an attack, which failed to materialise. Later a neat move by Adkins forced Kelling to give up a bishop for n pawn, but Kelling s four pawns against bishop and pawn ulUmateb proced decisive. Adkins resigned on the 63rd m F V . e fa. McSherry (Auckland) v. Miss Meyer (Wellington), French defence: This was a long game wifli even chances up to move 42, when Miss Meyer won a pawn. A few moves subsequently McSherry wen the exchange, and from then Mis* Meyer's position deteriorated. She resigned at move 68. NINTH ROUND Moir v. Wade. Queen's pawn (Catalan system): This was a cut and parry contest. Gradual exchanges rseulted in a knight ending, with neither player having a winning chance. A draw was agreed upon at move 46. Webling v. Reindler, irregular opening: On the whole it was a dull and slow game. WeblliiK resigned at the 71st move when ho found it impossible to prevent the promotion of a. pawn. Adkins v. Stewart. Guisso Piano: At move 23 Adkins made a mistake which lost him a knight, and he afterwards lost his queen owing to a fork and resigned at move 29. Belton v. McSherry, Queen's pawn: There was nothing noteworthy in this game, other than that Belton had the best of the encounter, McSlferry resigning on the 42nd move. Meyer v. Fletcher, Ruy Lopez: This was an even game until towards the end when Fletcher sacrificed a piece to get his pawns through. He was unsuccessful, however, as Miss Meyer played a sound end game and forcer Fletcher's resignation Lepviikman v. Kelling. Reti opening: This was a long, hard battle after Kelling had given up a rook for bishop and two pawns at move 31. There was much exciting play that drew many spectators around the board. In the end game Lepviikman won the two extra pawns and forced Kelling's resignation on the 78th move when he saw that his Wellington colleague was bound to MAJOR OPEN TOURNEY On the completion of the ninth round the major open scores were: N. T. Fletcher (Wellington), 7',2 points: D. R. Richards (Auckland), N. S. Henderson (Wellington), each 6Vi: H. Christensen (Palmorston North), 6: R. Christensen (Palmerston North), 5; Mrs. Short (Auckland). 4V 2 and one game adjourned; W. pcarse (Timaru), 5; Miss Hollls (Auckland), L. Sim (Palmerston North) and N. Watt (Auckland), each 3Vi: A. Summers (Wellington). 2; R. Godtschald (Wellington) 0.