All-C.B.H.S. chess final

Press, 16 August 1978, Page 42

All-C.B.H.S. chess final

The two strong Christ-, church Boys' High School) chess teams in the A grade | of “The Press” competition) will meet in the grand final) at C.B.H.S. tomorrow even-i ing. Burnside and Linwood) will oppose each other for) third place.

Christchurch has compiled an impressive record in the event since it w r as first held in 1971. It won the competition from 1973 to 1976 and has been represented in every final. On four occasions it has had two teams in the top four. The top four teams from) [both the A and B grades ) will play their final matches) ! to determine the distribution' of the $2OO prize money. For finishing first and sec[ond in the A grade, Christ- ) church will receive $95 for its school funds.

Although the Christchurch teams were clearly superior to their opposition in the preliminary and play-off rounds, there is little difference between them in playing strength. ;

The A team was consid-[l ered to be slightly stronger,): but it was beaten by its B|! team, 3|-2j, when they met). [ in _ the preliminary com-!1 [ petition. It is determined tol (reverse that result. ■, Interest should centres .around the top-board play-[ ers, Warwick Norton and[: Giles Bates. They shared the): Canterbury schoolpupils’) championship in May, but j Bates (Christchurch B) won their first match and has been unbeaten over eight rounds. Stephen Pankhurst, on; board three for Christchurch B, has had eight wins and a [draw from nine games and I the captain, Hammond Wil- ) liamson, has won seven | games, drawn one and lost [one on board two. Michael Kerrisk has lost) [ only one in nine games on I ■ ) board four, Scott Taylor has ' had six wins and two draws! after losing his opening! match, and Timothy Cle- [ ments has been beaten only! twice in nine games. David Cairns, with eight I’ wins from as many matches): i on board two, has led the A

team admirably and the records of his team-mates, Norton, Donald Anderson, : Andrew Taggart, Stephen Davies and Donovan Wearing, are highly impressive, although all have been 'defeated at least once. The match between Burn-' [ side and Linwood for the i minor platings should be ) close. Burnside won their first encounter, But Linwood did well enough against Christchurch B to suggest that it might gain revenge. They will play for $25 and $2O. . Rangiora beat Darfield in the final preliminary round of the B grade to finish top qualifier in zone one. A draw would have left Darfield top, but Rangiora ) led, 3-2, with one match to i be adjudicated — it was adjudicated as a draw. Ashburton, on a counthack of individual games, [ finished ahead of Middleton ; Grange in zone two and will i play Rangiora in the B grade final. Middleton I Grange and Darfield will disIpute third and fourth. The B grade teams will

play for $6O ($25, $2O, $lO, and $5 for the first, second, third and fourth teams, respectively). The final will be held in the Caldwell wing at C.B.H.S. from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. tomorrow evening. The presentation of the prize I money and the A grade trophy will follow. Results:—

A grade.—Christchurch A 6, Linwood 0; Christchurch B SJ, Burnside 1; Christchurch 8 41, Linwood 1J; Christchurch A 4, Burnside 1 (one to be adjudicated).

B grade (ninth round). —Zone 1: Shirley B 3. Cobham 3; Rangiora 31, Darfield 21; Burnside B 6. St Margaret's 0; St Andrew’s 5, Rangi Ruru 1; Christ’s College B 4. Casebrook 2. Zone II: Christchurch C 6, Branston 0; Linwood B 51, St Bede’s B 1; Heaton 31. Papanui 21; Middleton Grange 5, Hillmorton 1; Ashburton a bye.

Final B grade points were:— Zone I.—Rangiora 8J (39). Darfield 8 (391). St Andrew’s B 61 (351), Cobham 6 (34). Shirley B 41 (30), Christ’s College B 4 (26), Burnside B 31((21,6 1, Casebrook 3 (201), St Margaret’s 1 (8). Rangi Ruru (0) 101). Zone H. —Ashburton 7 (40p, Middleton Grange 7 (36), Christchurch C 61 (351), Papanui 4 (231). Linwood B 31 (21J), Heaton 31 (21) Hillmorton 3 (17), Branston 1 (12), St Bede’s i 81).