CHESS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 289, 6 September 1928, Page 18

CHESS

OTAGO v. WELLINGTON

The annual 20-aside telegraphic match between the Otago and Wellington Chess Clubs was commenced oil Monday evening, it being the last of tills year’s matches for the eluli championship ot the Dominion. More than ordinary interest is being taken in this contest by followers ot the game in New Zealand, as botii clubs have gone through the present season without defeat. Mr. A. W. Gyles being absbnt on account of a family bereavement, Mr. W. Mackay (president) captained the local team. Before play commenced he made a feeling reference to the loss sustained by the club in the death of Mrs. Gyles, their onlv lady member. The team lists were then exchanged, and the contest was soon under- weigh. the local club won the toss, and tins had first move at the odd-numbered boards. IJje operating was iu the experienced hands of Messrs. F. W. Rivers (Wellington) and A Smith (Dunedin). The clubs were also fortunate in having most efficient umpires in Messrs. G. A. Hurley (Wellington) aud T. M. Gillies (Dunedifi). The serutineering was done at this end by Messrs. W. Toomath (hon. secretary)', G. A. Hurley, H. M. Rosenberg, H. Anderson, and G. H. Brown (the president of the Napier Club, who is on a brief visit to Wellington). Hie English notation was used, as the Otago Club has not sutlicient boards bearing the numbers required for the Kieseritzky-Role Notation. Clocks were dispensed with, but very satisfactory progress was made without them. The pairings, and the openings used, were as follow:— Board. Wellington. Otago. Opening. I. Fouhy, T. -Dunlop, .T. B. Q.P. 2. Barnes, R. J. Stenhouse, M. G. Ruy 3..Keliing, F. K. Balk, O. Ruy 4. Anderson, G. I’. Coombs, L. D. Q.G. Dec. 5. Mason, W. E. MeDermid, R. Seh. 6. Hicks, E. A. Hamel, J. 11. F. Q.P. 7. Mackay, W. Cohen, L. Ruy 8. Craven, A. T. Barnett, Dr. Q.G. Dee. 9. Wigham, G. Myers, S. 8. Ponziani 10. McCrea, J. C. Marlow. J. J. (a) 11. Lee, H. G. Allen, W. H. Ruy 12. Goldtschalk, 11. Wright, G. D. French 13. Hicks, E. E. Tibbles, W. Irreg. 14. Purchas, D. Gale, W. G. Ruy 15. Taylor, E. S. Watt, R. Ruy 16. Hughes, W. L. Mcrrington, Dr. Q.P. Dee. 17. Jessup, A. E. McLean, R. M. French 18. Deck, J. M. .McDermott, R. -I. Buy 19. Thompson, H. J. Lawson, J. S. M. Ruy 20. Hardy, J. L. „ (I’) , , . (a) The game at board 10 is to be played over the board in Wellington. ■ (b) The Otago Club has undertaken to find a player for board 20 on the second evening. „ It will be noted that the Ruy Lopez opening was in great request. ' Only one game was finished on Monday evening, Mr. W. E. Mason scoring for Wellington at board 5. He quickly launched a hot attack that carried all before it, the Otago champion resigning at move 19. At board 1, J. B. Dunlop (thrice champion of the Dominion) has given up a minor piece for three pawns. When, play is resumed on Monday evening it will be interesting to see if Fouhy can stem the advance of three connected passed pawns. Wellington has won the exchange at boards 3,4, 9, and 13, and is a pawn up at board 6. Otago, on the other hand, is a pawn up at game 11 (which is being played over the board at Dunedin); a pawn up at board 17, and holds a pronounced advantage at board 18. . Two of the 20 games have not yet been commenced. The/ remaining eight games are in a very even state. . To sum up, the local -side, which is probably the strongest team that the Wellington Club has mustered in the 52 years of'its existence, holds the advantage so far as the play lias gone.■