N.Z. CHESS TOURNEY

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22594, 27 December 1938, Page 4

N.Z. CHESS TOURNEY

CHAMPIONSHIPS BEGUN AT WANGANUI

RESULTS OF OPENING ROUNDS

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.I WANGANUI, December 26. The forty-eighth New Zealand chess championship tourney began to-day. There are 14 entries from all parts of New Zealand, except Christchurch. Ten players are contesting the premier reserve championship. The tourney is robbed of some interest by the absence of S. Hindin (Christchurch), who won the championship last year, H. R. Abbott (Christchurch), champion in the previous year, and A. W. Gyles (Wellington), champion on two occasions, and this year representing New Zealand at the Australian congress.

The morning was devoted to formal business, the entrants deciding to play one round each evening, and additional deciding rounds on Tuesday and Friday afternoons. The first round of the championship resulted, the player of white being mentioned first in each instance:—

E. Rutherfurd v. E. H. Severne (Wellington)—Queen’s Pawn Budapest Defence. Pieces were freely exchanged in the early stages, Rutherfurd being left with a slight advantage, but Severne, with careful play, levelled up the position, a draw being decided upon at move 30. E. J. Dyer (Wellington) v. J. B. Dunlop (Dunedin) —Queen’s Pawn, Colie system. Dunlop won a pawn early in the game, and isolated Dyer’s queen’s pawn. Dunlop then initiated a violent attack, announcing mate in three at the twenty-fourth move. This contract he carried out. J. W. W. Heenan (Hastings) v. W. J. Fairburn (Wellington): Queen’s Gambit —Fairburn lost because of having exceeded the time limit. Games unfinished were:—H. McNabb (Nelson) v. R. O. Scott (Wanganui) —Sicilian Defence. MsNabb a pawn up; J. A. Erskine (Invercargill) v. C. J. Taylor (Auckland): Reti Opening Erskine a slight advantage; F. A. Kelling (Welllington) v. D. I. Jones (Auckland): Alekhine defence, even game; G. Cole (Nelson) v. D. Lynch (Hastings): Queen’s Gambit Declined, Cole two pawns for the exchange. The premier reserve round resulted: C. H. Speck (Stratford) lost to N. M. Cromarty (Wanganui); R. Christensen (Palmerston North) beat K. A. Dobson (Christchurch), R. G. Wade (Wellington) beat S. Smith (Wanganui). B. Beach (Wanganui) drew with N. R. Meads (Nelson); H. P,‘ Witlock (Wanganui) v. W. R. Aislabie (Napier), unfinished.