CHESS CONGRESS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 8994, 5 January 1895, Page 8

CHESS CONGRESS.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION' TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, January 4. At the ches3 tournament Bariaud opened against Pleasants with the Ray Lopez and has a very promising attack. Cosks had the move against Hookham and again played a stonewall opening. He has a slightly superior position to his antagonist, buc otherwise the game is even. The queen's pawn game was played agaimt Lelievre by Gifford. The former managed to obtain the attack, by which Gifford is thrown wholly on the defensive, but the pieces aro even. Edwards adopted his old favourite opening, Zukertort, against Mackay. At the luncheon adjournment Edwards was conducting a factitious attack, but Slackay's position is preferable and he has •won the exchange.

Shortly after the resumption of play this afternoon Mackay won a further exchange against Edwaids, and a few moves later queened a pawn and won. Lehevre won irom Gifford. Iv the game Cocks v Hookham tho former endeavoured to force an advautage by exchanging queens but failed, and the game was dr&wu. Barraud won from Pleasauts, owing to a premature move on the part of the latter, who had an undoubted win. Wood and Hooknam decided to start their game to-night. The opening was the king's knight's, and Hook* ham has the advantage in position and all the attack.. The leading scorers are as follows:—

Won. Lost. Cocks 7-i 3 2 Mackay ... ... 7 3 Barnes ... , ... 6 3 Lelievre ... ... 6 3 Edwards ... ... 5 4 Gifford ... ~. 5£ 3£ Hookham ... ... 4 4 Pleasant* ... ... 4 5 Mr Cocks , games are all finished. Mr Barnes haa to meet Messrs Edwards and Gifford, Mr Mackay has to meet Mr Lelievre, Mr Edwards has to meet Messrs Barnes and Wood, Mr Hookham has to meet Mr Barraud. It is expected that the championship will be decided on Monday morning.