CHESS CHAMPION

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 82, 5 January 1928, Page 6

CHESS CHAMPION

DAVIES RETAINS THE TITLE By Telegraph.—l’elss Association. Christchurch, January 4. By winning the play-off in the Dominion chess championship yesterday, A. \V. O. Davies, Auckland, retained the title. His opponent was E. K. Kelling. 'The following is a description of the game Davies v. Kelling (Retis Opening).— The game proceeded on modern lines into the middle game, which became interesting. Kelling obtained an isolated centre pawn, but had compensation in position, which Davies had to play carefully. Kelling made an indifferent move, which, however, was not taken full advantage of, and to relieve the pressure Kelling challenged queens. After an exchange of queens, the latter was rather cramped, having his king very much out of play. Shortly afterwards Kelling allowed Davies to win an isolated centre pawn, which gave the latter two strong passed pawns in the centre of the board. Kelling was unable to stop the march of these pawns, and resigned after a hard struggle. The game lasted 52 moves. THE CHAMPIONSHIP ROLL Bollowing is the championship roll to date: — 1879—11 Hookham (Christchurch). 1888- A. M. Ollivier (Christchurch). 1889- H. Hookham (Christchurch). 1890- It. J. Barnes (Wellington). 1891- P. V. Siedeberg (Dunedin). 1892- F. V. Siedebsrg (Dunedin). 1893- Bdwards (Wellington). 1894- W. Mackay (Wellington). 1895- W. Meldruni (llangitikei). 1896- It. J Barnes (Wellington). 1897- R. J. Barnes (Wellington). 1.898-99—8. A. Cleland (Dunedin). 1900 (Buster)—W. E. Mason (Wellington). 1901 (Easter)—D. Forsyth (Dunedin). 1901 (Christmas)—ll. J. Barnes (Wellington). 1902- J. G. Grierson (Auckland). 1903- W. E. Mason (Wellington). 1904- A. W. O. Davies (Wellington). 1905- R. J. Barnes (Wellington). 1906- W. S. Viner (Perth, West Austin.' ia). 1908 (Easter)—A. W. O. Davies (Wellington). 1908 (Christmas)—F. K. Kelling (Wellington). 1909- J. Mason (Wellington). 1910- AV. E. Mason (Wellington). 1911- 12—W. E. Mason (Wellington). 1912- J. G. Grierson (Auckland). 1913- W. E. Mason (Wellington). 1914- -F. K. Kelling (Wellington). 1916-17-18-19—Title vacant (war). 1920— W. E. Mason (Wellington). 1921 — J. B. Dunlop (Oamaru). 1922— J. B. Dunlop (Oamaru). 1923— J. B Dunlop (Oamaru). 1924— S. Crackanthorp (N.S.W.). 1925— J. S. Purdy (N.S.W ). 1926— S. Crackanthorp (N.S.W.). 1927— A. W. O. Davies (Auckland).

1928—A. W. O. Davies (Auckland). Wellington has won it 17 times; Auckland, Australia, and Dunedin, four times each; Christchurch and Oamaru, three times each; and Manawatu once. On the first two occasions Davies won for Wellington.