CHESS.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19199, 4 January 1928, Page 9

CHESS.

DOMINION CHAMPIONSHIP.

DAVIES AND KELLING TIE,

Kciliug (Wellington) defeated Davies (AucKlauo; m Uw ninth rouml and uetl lor Die cliuiupionsiiip at tlie Douumon Llifbs couwM. veaiei«iiv. severne t-xilson) was third, iml MoJuruucl (Utago) lourtli. Davies •iml jvciung will p.ay ott tins morning tor the title, ine lollowmg arc the details of play:— McUermid v. iisiier (Queens bambut declined)—McDermid lost a pawu ju the L-arlv stages winch lie regameo i„ the middle game, and after several exchanges «'C'"« n,:ldc -M^ €rmld cuueavoured to win with a passed centre pawn, but Fisher defended stubbornly and a draw was agreed to on move G4. Rolling v. Davies (French defence; —Davies missed winning the exchange and Kelling made the best of the resulting position. Davies then sacrificed a knight for a counter-attack, which he failed to sustain, and resigned an interesting game on the 49th move. Summers v. Severne (King's Bishops opening)—On resuming. Summers failed to make the test of his attack, and Severne gradually got the upper hand and won after a strenuous game on move o-l. ~,/-, i Friberg v. MeDerinid (Queen s Pawn game)—Frilierg played the bishop to king's bishop four variation and obtained a good game, winning a, pawn. A little later on Alc.Dermid gave up a bishop for two pawns and in the end drew the game by perpetual check.

Position of the Players. Won, Lost. Davies ... 8 1 Kelling ...» 1 Severne ... G 3 McDermid ... -H «H Neville ... -H M Friberg ... 4 o Fisher ... 31 »\ Fairburn ... 3 6 .Joyce ... li 7i Summers ... 1 -8 Presentation of Prizes. •Last evening players gathered informally lor a discussion on the game awl Uio presentation of prizes, mt F. il. ti. Seville, president ot the Canterbury Chess Club, presided in the absenco of the Mayor, Air J. K. Archer, president of the Congress. Mr Neville referral to the various games that had been played during tho tournament, especially those of Messrs Davies aud Kelling, and the others who had finished up well. Botn ho and Mr Kelling alluded to the telegraphic matches, the latter stating that they were uot so popular now as they .have been in time past when people played until midnight. Nowadays, ho said, it was a noticeably bad feature-that very few moves were made in the last hour.

The opinion was expressed that the Lime had como when an entrant in a championship congress should give his standing, as in other sports. The question was discussed at length, and the unanimous opinion was voiced that the Association should go into the matter. The chairman introduced, among other matters, the question of annual competitions being played in the open, close to shelter, as on the Continent and some parts of America. Referring to the games played during the congress lie said that Mr McDermid (Otago) was a coming champion, and Mr Severne (Nelson) the keystone of any congress. M$ Fisher (Wanganui) would have a great future when he lost the fear of losing ; Mr Fairburn (Wellington) possessed the valuable asset of supreme confidence, and if he studied the book he should rapidly appear in the limelight. Messrs Davies and Kel- ' ling'had made the congress notable, the former by winning 8 games on end, and tbe latter by stemming the flowing tide. Mr RobinSon (umpire) had brought into play his untiring energy which had resultedin the congress running without a hitch. Messrs Davies and Kellirig shared the first prize to the value of £l4 15s each, Mr Severne won the second prize to the value of £6 6s, and Mr McDermid the third prize, to the value of £4 4s.