N.Z. CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1009, 27 December 1910, Page 5

N.Z. CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP.

REPRESENTATIVE GATHERING OF PLAYERS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Timaru, December 28. The twenty-third annual New Zcalani Chess Championship Congress was openei here by the.Mayor this afternoon. -Tker aro eleven contestants from all parts o tho Dominion .including -one from Norfoll Island. The following is the pairing ii the first, round, the first-mentioned hav ing tho first, move in each case:— W. E. Mason' v. J. Mason (Queen' Gambit declined).—The champion oppose this Gambit with the French. Defence and.took an.hour and twenty-one minute over his first eleven moves. At thi stage only one pawn each was captured and purely defensive tactics were. observ ed by both, who had recorded only thii teen'moves at the adjournment. Barnes v. Hicks (Ruy Lopez).—ln th early stages Hicks let a bishop go for tw pawns. This should have led to disasto if the veteran .had 'played with his usua dash. On the twentieth move Hicks fdi feited another pawn for position. A; exchange of queens' followed here. Hick played magnificently, forcing the game t his advantage at the adjournment. Griersoh v. Dayies (Queen's Countcr).Davies soon let a pawn go for the attach his compensation being tho opening u of his opponent's queen's side pawns an leading to castling <m opposite side; Davies recovered the lost pawn later, an the game was adjourned ill an even pos: tion hazardous for both. Dunlop v. h'ox '(Evans'. Gambit).—fh Norfolk Island player kept to orthodo lines for a few moves, when the Dunedi champion gave him the chance of secui ing superior.force and position, which h failed to profit by, and the game, assume an even position. Beck v. Mora- (Scotch' Gambit).—Earl developments did not follow tho best pn cedents, hence unusual positions occurre with swaying advantage.