Closely fought chess

Press, 16 July 1980, Page 46

Closely fought chess

By

BOB SCHUMACHER

All three A grade contests in the fourth round of “The Press” schools’ chess competition were closely fought and ended in the same scores, 3|-2|. The biggest surprise was the defeat of the previously unbeaten Christchurch Boys’ High School A team by Shirley. Although the top board Christchurch players, Adrian Lloyd and Brian Nijman, won their matches, Shirley proved superior on the lower boards. Andrew Gaudin, Geoff Mcßobie and John Connolly won and Peter Shaw drew. Bumside A, without a win, came close to upsetting last year’s winner, Christchurch B. The outcome depended on an adjudicated game and it went in Christchurch’s favour. The third match between

Christ’s College and St Andrew’s provided problems for the organisers. Matches are to be of two hours or until 30 moves have been made by each, player. After two hours and, a half, two games had gone only 12 and 16 moves. The obvious time wasting is against the spirit of the competition and with the games hardly developed beyond the openings, it makes adjudication impossible. Both games resulted in draws; in future consideration will be given to calling such matches as no contests and no points will be awarded.

St Andrew’s B, with a surprisingly big win against Mairehau, retained its unbeaten record in the B grade. Linwood A and Shirley B, which beat Rangiora, have emerged as the main threats

to the leader. Fourth-round results were.— A grade.—Christchurch B.H.S.’ B 3L Burnside A/ 2J; St Andrew’s A 31, Christ’s College A 2}; Shirley A 31, Christchurch B.H.S. A 21. B grade.—Shirley B 31, Rangiora 21; Cashmere A 3, Burnside B 3; Ashburton A 31, Christ’s College B 21; St Andrew’s B 51, Mairehau 1; Linwood 41, Papanui I}. C grade.—Avonside G.H.S. 3}, Xavier 21; Casebrook 3, Heaton 3; Rang! Ruru 3, Linwood Intermediate 3; Cobham 5, St Margaret’s 1; Christchurch G.H.S. a bye. Points:— A grade.—Christchurch A 3 (17), St Andrew’s A 3 (151), Shirley A 21 (12), Christchurch B.H.S. B 2 (111), Christ’s College A 11 (101), Burnside A 0 (51).

B grade.—St Andrew’s B 4 (161), Linwood A 3 (17), Shirley B 3 (141), Ashburton 21 (13), Rangiora 2 (121), Mairehau 2 (101), Christ’s College B 11 (12), Papanui 1 (7}), Cashmere 1 (9), Burnside B 1 (51). C grade.—Cobham .4 (19), Heaton 3j (18), Casebrook 2j (14), Linwood Intermediate 11 (11), Rangi Ruru 11 (8), St Margaret’s 1. (81), Avonside G.H.S. 1 (51), Xavier 1 (8), Christchurch GJLS. 0 (4).