INTERPROVINCIAL CHESS MATCH.

Evening Post, Volume L, Issue 132, 2 December 1895, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL CHESS MATCH.

WELLINGTON CLUB v. AUCKLAND DISTRICT. The match between the Wellington Chess Club and the Auckland district players was concluded on Saturday, and resulted in a win for Wellington by 10J games to i\. Fire games are unfinished, but catmot alter the result. 'I he unfinished games will be referred to Mr. U. Hookham, of "Chrißtohurch, the veteran ex-ch«mpion. Play was carried on briskly on Saturday night. No hitches oodirrod, and no penalties were enforcd. Mr. Howard again telegraphed the moves from the Wellington end very satisfactorily Brilliant play was shown at some of the boards, especially at Board 10— Tait v. Bruce. In thiß game Tait showed exceptional skill and analytical foresight, and in announcing "Mate in Bix moves" he dißplayed the true chess-player's acumen. Another vory interesting game was that of Lelievre v. Brodio. At various stages of this game some nico complications occurred. Board I.— Benbow v. Wood (Queen's pawn opening). By weak play on the part of the Auckland man at the 15th move, Benbow gained a strong attack. By liberal use of hia Knight, he torced a win for Wellington Board 2.— Maokay v. H. H. Smith (Scotch gambit). A strong atttack was kept up by the Aucklander up to the 12th move. Then an injudicious exchange lost him the advantage, and caused him to feel the loss of bis gambit pawn. A well fought game was continued to the 50th move, when the Auokland representative resigned. Board 3.— Littlejobn v. Grierson (French defence). The local player enforced a penalty early in the play, despite which his opponent stubb6rnly contested the game up to the 48th move. At that point the game went to the referee, not being finished. Board 4.— Barnes v. Mills (Euy Lopez). On the second evening's play Barnes overstepped his time limit, and forfeited his game to Auokland. Board 5. — Cocks v. Halcombe (Queen's pawn opening). The infliction of a penalty coat Cocks his queen, and he resigned accordingly. Board 6.— Lolievre v. Brodio (Ruy Lopez). Another penalty inflicted on tbo Auckland player cost him a knight in the early sta^e. By excellent play he recovered bi6 position somewhat, and about the 20th move the game was very interesting, but the disadvantage he suffered was too much of a handicap, and he resigned on the 45th move Board 7.- Brown v. Ashton (Ruy Lopez). This may be described as a fencing game throughout, carefully played. It goes to the referee, the local player having the advantage of a pawn. Board 8 —H. L. James v. L. B. Smith (French defence). The too liberal use ot the queen gave the local player a cramped position, from whioh a series of exchanges freed him, but exposed his king to a warm attack. Later on the Auokland man failed to make the most of his position. An intricate game followed, but waß precipitated into a lobb for Wellington by a blunder. Board 9 — Barraud v. Lowe (Queen's gambit declined). A very oven game was pursued to the 37th move, when the local player relinquished a pawn without loss of advantage in position. At the 46th move the game was referred to the referee unfinished. Board 10.— Tait v. W. W. Bruce (Sootoh gambit). This was the brilliant game of the match, and. aa stated above, was won by Tait. Board 11.— Chapman v. White (Scotch gambit). The play in this game was very even up to the 30th move, when Chapman relectantly enforoed a penalty, capturing a pawn without advantage. On the 51st move a draw waa asrreed to, with a pawn in favour of the local man. Board 12.— Stitt v. Johns (X Knight's gambit of Muzio). At the 20th move on the second night's play Auokland suooumbod to a fine attack. Board 13.— Kelling v. Young (Four Knights gambit). This game has been roferred to Mr. Hookham on the 62nd move. Auokland has bishop and three pawm against rook and two pawns Board 14.— Skeet v Hosking (Max Lange attack). At the 13th movo Mr. S. White, Sooretary of the Auckland club, took up the game for Mr. Hosking, who was unwell. Skeet beat his opponent on the 31th move Board 15.— Wright v. G. Brnoe (Guioeo Piano). The game goeß to the referee in favour of Auckland. Board 16.— Tame v. Stauuton (Scotch gambit). Tame won in 17 moves on the second evening. Boatd 17.— Mason v. Stewart (Queen's pawn opening). Well played. Auokland resigned on 43rd move on the aeoond evening. Board 18.— Hirter v. Hemus (French). Well played. , Wellington won a wellcontested game. Board 19.— Matthews v. Fairs (Scotoh gambit). Won by Wellington on the second night'a play. Board 20. — Tanner v. Hurndall (Guiooo Piino). Through an oversight Tanner got into difficulties. He, however, struggled on to the 56th more, when he resigned. Wellington is now the champion chess district of the oolony.