CHESS

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 83, 2 January 1930, Page 13

CHESS

DOMINION TOURNAMENT PLAY IN SEVENTH ROUND By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wanganui, January 1. Results of round seven of the Dominion chess championship at Wanganui are as follow:— Scott v. Rutherfurd.— A. popular book variation of the queen bishop’s gambit was played. Scott was the first to attack, but did not go on with it. In the middle game Rutherfurd won a pown and Scott later left a pawn to be captured for nothing. A blunder by Scott gave Rutherford a bishop and knight for rook, but the former played his rook so well that a draw resulted. Beyer v. Jeffreys.—This was a Sicilian game, Beyer adopting the Fianchetto development for his king’s bishop. The early exchange of queens gave Beyer the stronger pawn game, but Jeffreys demonstrated the superiority of two bishops in play against a knight and bishop, and gradually wore Beyer’s position down till he was able to mate with rook and bishop. Anderson v. Pleasants: Very even positions came out of this queen’s pawn opening, each player attacking in turn. Pleasants was forced into an exchange, which left him with a weak pawn position. Later on Anderson was able to pin Pleasant’s bishop, whereupon Pleasant’s position collapsed, and he resigned, Fairburn v. Gundersen.—ln this queens bishop gambit was declined. Fairburn set up a good pawn position, but failed to defend the leading pawn. In the middle game Gundersen outplayed Fairburn, who had his queen right out of play, and scored checkmate at move 41.

Topp v. Purdy.—An unusual king’* pawn opening was played which lost a pawn for Topp, and loft him with a very open king. ■ Topp exchanged queens, but Purdy made excellent use ot a rook bishop and forward passed pawn, and Topp, seeing a mate threatening, resigned. Hicks v. Kelling.—This was a most interesting Ruy Lopez game, Hicks seeming to get the better position from the opening attack, and counter attacks were tire order of play, but Kelling obtained a fine pawn centre, while Hicks’s pawns were weak. The latter threatened to lock in a bishop and in taking a pawn to save tlie piece Welling lost two pawns. Forces were now even and with the exchange of the second rook a draw was agreed upon. Erskine v. Severne.—A popular book variation of the queen bishop gambit was played, Severne’s pieces seeming very cramped in their defence, and Erskine found it very difficult to work through. With the advance of king side pawns supporting bishop at knight 5, Severne blocked Erskine’s advance in making a hurried clock move. Erskine left a chance for Severne to offer sacrifice.of queen to get a checkmate. In considering the position Erskine exceeded the time limit and the game went to Severne. The position of the players at the end of round seven is as follow: —

ROUND EIGHT. Results of- play in the eighth round are as follow: — Pleasants v. Severne.-—Pleasants opened with the exchange variation of the Ruv Lopez, leading to the exchange ot queens at the sixth move. The middle game proved a struggle between Severne s t wo bishops and Pleasants s two knights. Severne planned to win a piece and giving up the exchange for the purpose. Pleasants parried the move, but later made a weak reply and lost the game. Rutherfurd v. Hicks.—This was a c f ar ®7 fully-played Ruy Lopez. Rutherfurd soon brought up a strong attack, but it faded away as Hicks brought his pieces into play for defence and counter-attack ennnd nlav was the order of the middle "ame which ended with Hicks a. S’" w ’"K'S; neither player being able to force nosition, a draw was agreed uP on - P Erskiie v. Topp.—Erskine played the through the middle game. Undoubtemj Erskine won the exchange and obtamed •> stron" pawn advance to stren„tnen, which he -ave up. In the exchange Topp was unable to prevent a pawn advancm = to pX n ’v a Sc<»tt.-Seott played the two Sing developing a fall was very pretty indeed, and chec mate was announced on the m< Keiling v. Fairburn. —This was the brightest game of the round, P«haps of move. SietSr V: v s suneS Brs n.S'.Mn.s double discovered cnecK. Gundersen v. Beyer.-A free open position developed for both players from the French defence taken up by Beyei. In tie middle.game Beyer attacked on the queen side, but Gundersen met the attack adequately and established a fine pawn oblique. Later the exchange and in a few ® minor piece. With a rook down Beyer had a hopeless game and resigned. Jeffreys v. Anderson.-This was an outstanding Queen’s Pawn game. The opening was well played on both sides, the possibilities for attack being equal. Jeffreys. preparing for winning a centre pawn, overloked a strong attacking move of Anderson’s, and in consequence lost a piece. Rapid exchanges followed’ and Jeffrey’s king was son forced by two rooks and a bishop into a checkmate. The position of players at the end of round eight is as follows :—

Miss C. West-Watson returned from Japan and the Far East by the Marama on Tuesday.

Dr W- Littlejohn, once principal of Nelson College, and now principal of Scots College, Melbourne, was an arrival from Sydney on Tuesday, on a holiday trip to the Dominion.

W. L. D. Pts. Severne ... • £> —— 2 6 Anderson ... .. 4 . Gundersen .. .. 5 1 1 Erskine .. 3 .. 3 4 Jeffreys Selling 2 2 4 4 Purdy .. 4 — 4 Pleasants • • ■ .. 4 3 — 4 Rutherford . 3 Scott 4 1 2 J Beyer •- "■ Hicks o 4 Topp Fairburn .... .. 1 5 1 li 1

Won Lost Drawn Pts. ... 6 0 e-i 64 64 Anderson ... Gundersen .. ... 6 1 1 ... 4 o Erskine • • • • ■ . 4 ... 5 3 ... 3 3 2 4 Pleasants . • ... 4 4 4 3 -i 4 31 54 Rutherfunl . ... 3 1 2 K 1 21 ... 2 6 —— ... 1 6 1 ii Topp * g 9 Fnirburn .. . . • ' —