THE CHESS TOURNEY.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9304, 3 January 1896, Page 5

THE CHESS TOURNEY.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION' TELEGRAM.) WANGANUI, January 2. Barnes v Hookham—This was unfinished in the seventh round. Black showed some pretty play on his 46th move by sacrificing a bishop in order to clear a file to enable him lo queen his pawn ; white resigned on his 56th move. Sexton v MaoKay—Also an uutinished game of tho seventh round, and contrary to expectations, it was drawn. Black had almost an undeniably winning position, but towards the end of the game made a fatal mistake. Meldrum v Mackay (Queen's Uambic declined)— Black made a mistako iv the opening and lost a pawn on the 12th move. A very tough tight resulted, lasting for seven hours, ending in black resigning on move 57, being the h'rst game that Mr Mackay has lost. Ninth round—Barnes v Edwards (Scotch Gambit declined) —Black lost a piece on the 23rd move, bat playing up well regained it on the 36th, but eventually resigned on his 57ch. Reniiugtou v Hatherly (Queen's Fianchetto). —This is tho twolfth round game. White resigned on his 40th move. Lelievre v Mouat (English Opening) —This was a very fast game, although there was nothing special iv the play. Black resigned on his 46th move. Pearce v Sexton. — This game was a Sicilian Defence, and went on book lines. At the 18th niovo Black, by a prematura advance of liis Queen's pawn, enabled White to win the exchange. At the 24th move White sacrificed a Knight for two pawns. This being weakly answered allowed White to recover. his pawn, and at the 37th move Black resigned. Remington v* Cocks —Mr Remington played Staunton's opening and got a fair attack, but not making the most of it the tables were turned, and he finally camo out with a single rook and four pawns against two rooks, a bishop, and five pawns, at which stage he resigned ou the 32nd move.

The positions of the players up to the adjournment were as follows :—Andersen played 9, won 5, drawn 2, lost 2; Birn&i played 9, won 4, drawn 3, lost 2; Cocks played 10, won 4, drawn 2, lost 4 ; Edwards played 11, won 3, drawn 1, lost 7; Hatheily played 10, won 3, drawn 2, lost 5 ; Hookham played 8, won 4, drawn 2, lost 2 ; Lolievre played 9, won 5, drawn 1, lost 3; Maokay played 7, won 2, drawn 4, lost 1; Meldrum played 8, won 5, drawn 1, lost 2; Mouafr played 10, won 4, drawn 4, lost 2 ; Pearoe played 9, won 3, drawn 4, lost 2 ; Pleasants played 7, won 5, drawn 2, lost 2 ; Remington played 13, won 2, lost 11; Sextoa played 10, won 3, drawu 2, lost 5. Later. Meldrum v Hatherley (Irregular opening) —White attacked prematurely, and allowed Black to get a strong counter attack. The players agreed to' draw on the 57th move. Edwards v (French defence) —This was a well-contested game, and was soon out of the book runuing. Mr Edwards resigned on tho 50th move. Andersen v Pieasfuits— This game was adjourned owing to Andersen being iudisposed. The tenth round will be gone on with to-night.