CHESS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 81, 29 December 1928, Page 9

CHESS

CHAMPIONSHIP CONTEST THIRD ROUND COMPLETED Careful play again characterised the games for the third round of the annual contest for the chess championship of Now Zealand’ which was resumed yesterday afternoon. It was quite noticeable that none of the players had the brilliancy prize in view, and no risks were taken. One or two of the players, who have distinguished themselves in former contests, are not showing that they are quite up to their best form, but nearly so. This particularly applies to Gyles, who has not yet shaken off the effects of malaria contracted in the war zone. A"ain the keenest interest in the games was manifested by the spectators. Following is the description of the games in the third round. . Kelling v. Scott (French Defence). — Rolling's treatment of the opening gave him far more freedom to operate against his opponent’s rather cramped position than the French defence usually permits when well-seasoned players make use of it. Scott's lack of experience in tourney play, which time may remedy, is to him what it is to all young players—a serious handicap. In yesterday’s game he was kept on the defensive. Kelliug won a pawn on the 21st move, and after the endgame stage was reached, without permitting Scott to organise an attacking position, he gave up rook and bishop for knight, bishop, and pawn, thus securing Scott’s queen for the remaining rook, leaving him with only two rooks and three pawns against queen, knight, and five pawns. Scott resigned on the 4<th m° ve - .. . Hicks and Severne (Reti’s Defence). — This modern innovation in chess play, the invention of the brilliant Czechoslovakian, Reti, has proved its merits in many first-class tourneys, and its weakesses (if it has any) have not yet been demonstrated by the analysts. Hicks however, varied the book move (5. P-K.t. 3), playing P-K4 instead. Though this was not even suggested by the analysts, and can hardly be considered an improvement upon Reti s work, it had its effect upon Severne s play. An even game was continued to the 23rd move, where neither player could discover any hope of vanquishing his adversary. A draw was agreed on. Erskine v. Gyles (Queens Gambit declined). —This now favourite opening, with the world’s best players, was conducted on quite orthodox lines. Gyles showed a tendency to attack in the early stages, but Erskine’s sound defence gave him no encouragement to adopt an aggressive attitude without the most solid preparation. “Steady does it,” describes the Victorian’s policy, which resulted in the gain of a pawn in the middle game. Holding on to this small advantage he strengthened his position by slow degrees, enabling him to win another pawn, and shortly afterwards the game, in which it would be difficult to find the actual move which led to Gyles’s defeat. McCrea v. Miller (King’s Gambit declined). —McCrea, undaunted by Miller s proficiency in this gambit, which is always fraught with hazardous possibilities which the smallest error may precipitate into sudden defeat, must be said to have taken risks from the first move. The game, nevertheless, was conducted soundly on both sides. Miller was the first to initiate a mild attack, which at first glance looked promising, but it resulted in no gain of material, though it prevented McCrea from exercising his privilege of castling. In the circumstances this did not turn out to be a disadvantage. and an even game was continued to the 53rd move, where McCrea made his first mistake in allowing his opponent to force the exchange of the last piece left on the board instead of nlfiyinc; his rook to QS. thus holding the draw in hand, with a probable win. With five pawns each 'Miller was enabled to make way for his further . advanced pawns going on for promotion, McCrea resigned on the soth move. The position now is : —■ Wins Losses

Fourth Round. The draw for the fourth round, which commences at 2 p.m. to-day, is as fp - lows: — Nliller plays Hicks. Scott plays McCrea. Severne plays Erskine. Gyles plays Fairburn. ‘Kelling, a bye.

Miller 2 0 ■Erskine 2 0 Gyles 2 1 Severne 1 1 % Hicks ii 14 Kellins .... i* 1 4 McCrea .... i 24 Scott .... ° Eairburn .. 0