Good chess openings

Press, 28 June 1989, Page 31

Good chess openings

The minor place-getters in the A grade final of “The Press” schools’ chess competition last year, Christchurch Boys’ High School and Shirley Boys’ High School, both made encouraging starts to this year’s tournament.

Christchurch, third last year, overcame the runner-up for the last three years, Ashburton College, 3 1 / 2 -2 1 /2, while Shirley achieved the same result against Christ’s College. Although Peter Lynn had a meritorious win on the top board for Ashburton and Adrian Clarke gained a creditable draw with Jamie Kirk, the unbeaten No. 1 for Christchurch in 1988, Christchurch’s middle-order strength gave it victory. Chris Wright, Simon Swallow and Chris Hartshorn controlled their games, but Ashburton scored a consolation win on

the bottom board through Robert Lynn. Christ's College, for the second week, just failed to topple a higher ranked opponent. Jolon Dyer and Michael Burns set up the Shirley win on the top boards and Seth Wagoner was successful on board four. Dean Sanderson’s draw on board five provided the vital half point. College’s victors were Chris Cullinan and Justin MacFarlane, with Luke Radich gaining a draw. Papanui had its second big win in the B grade, but Shirley B was held to a half by Ashburton B in a minor surprise. Second round results.— A grade: Shirley B.H.S. 3 y 2 , Christ’s College 222;y 2 ; Christchurch B.H.S. 3y 2 , Ashburton 2>/ 2 - B grade, Zone I: Shirley

B.H.S. B 3, Ashburton B 3; Papanui 5, Burnside B 1. Zone II: Christ’s College B 4, Linwood 2. Points.—

A grade: Christchurch B.H.S. 1 (3!/ 2 ), Shirley B.H.S. 1 (3*6), Burnside 1 Christ’s College 0 (5), Ashburton 0 ((22),y 2 ), Cashmere 0 (0), St Andrew’s 0 (0), St Andrew’s (2), Burnside and Shirley have deferred games. B grade. Zone I: Papanui 2 (10), Shirley B l‘/ 2 (9), Ashburton B 1 (6), Aranui 1/2 (3), Burnside B 0 (1), Christchurch B.H.S. C 0 (1), Aranui and Christchurch B.H.S. C have deferred games. Zone II: Linwood 1 (6), Christ’s College B 1 (51/2), St Andrew’s B 1 (4!4), Hornby 1/2 (3),-St Bede’s >/ 2 (3), Christchurch B.H.S. B 0 (2), Hornby, Christchurch 8.H.5.1 B, St Andrew’s B and St Bede’s have deferred games.