CHESS TOURNAMENT.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIII, Issue 4, 5 January 1907, Page 2

CHESS TOURNAMENT.

YESTERDAY'S PLAY. [NY TETitGRArn. — PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CIIRI3TCHURCH, This Day. The Xcw Zealand International Chess Congiess was resumed yosterday, with the continuation of the twelfth round. Chief interest centred in tho game between Kelling and Vincr. Kelling, playing excellently, pressed Viner very hard, but the Australian champion eventually won. Tho following arc details of the day's play : — TWELFTH ROUND. Barnes v. Sainsbury (Petroff's defence) — Barnes steadily built up a strong position, but at move seventeen made a premature advance with a knight, which allowed Sainsbury to exchange pieces and secure an even position. _ Eventually v a position was occupied in which eithor player could force a perpetual check, and a draw was agreed to. James v. Edwards (Sicilian defence)— Edwards adopted the "Fianchetto" variation, which gave him a cramped game. In his efforts to freo himself his position becamo compromised, and James obtained an overwhelming attack. Edwards resigned a hard fight on tho fifty-sixth move. Kelling v. Viner (Centre Counter game) — Viner continued to force matters, and won two pawns. Rather than condemn a knight to idleness, and with tho idea of making a final dash Kelling gave up tho piece for two pawns, thereby getting a measure of attack, as Viner's king was oxposed. The champion, however, played with his usual unerring accuracy, and obtained Kelling's resignation after an interesting bout of fifty-two moves. Kelling received hearty congratulations for his excellent fight. •Gould v. Forsyth (Scotch game) — This game was adjourned, with Forsyth a pawn to tho good. €ummings v. Giffor'd (Queen's pawn) — This game resulted in a draw. Gifford's thirty-fourth movo was weak, and he missed a. win. J. Maspn v. Parker (Sicilian defence) — This was an adjourned game from I 'the -fourth round. Mason improved his game, and. Parker, being unable to extricato hipself from a difficult position, resigned at tho eighty-third move. THIRTEENTH ROUND. Forsyth v. James (Falkboer Counter Gambit)— Forsyth played tho almost obsolete Br— Kt 5 attack, and James soon obtained a very superi '• position. Forsyth's game became very cramped, and James, keeping his grip, Forsyth resignod on the twenty-fourth move, mate being unavoidable. Sexton v. Stewart (Queen's Gambit declined) — This game was opened on book lines, neither player venturing off the beaten track. Several exchanges took place which left a perfectly even pawn ending, and as neither could force an opening, a draw was agreed on at the forty-seventh move. Grierson v. Parker (Sicilian defence) — Parker played the "Fianchctto" variation of this defence. Grierson got an excellent opening, but failed to make the most of it, and an exchange of pieces ended in Parker being a bishop to the good. He pushed his advantage, and secured Grierson's resignation on the thirty-sixth move. Edwards v. J Mason (French defence) — Edvyards lost a pawn at his ninth move, but making amends for this worked ap a fierce attack and re-captured tho pawn. At this stage Edwards offered a draw, which Mason declined, although forces wore equal. After further play Mawn suggested a draw, but shortly after, through a blunder, lost a piece, and resigned on move forty-one. Sainsbury v. Rolling (Centre Counter Gambit) — Kelling on his twelfth move sacrificed a bishop, expecting to win io back again. He overlooked the correct reply, however, and Sainsbury pressing his advantage, secured Rolling's resignation on tha thirty-fifth move. Crackenthorp v. Barnes (King's Gambit declined) — On tho twelfth move Crackenthorp snapped up a pawn which was inadvertently left unguarded. As compensation, however, Barnes obtained a very hot attack, and a few minutes later sacrificed his two rooks for a knight and 'bishop, obtaining thereby a certain drawing position by perpetual check, with possibilities of a win if the checks were not correctly answered. Some brilliant play followed, which ended in Crackenthorp giving up rook for knight and pawn and getting a position which forced Barnes to resign on tho fifty-first move. A grand game. Clifford v. Gould (Ruy Lopez)— Tho Archdeacon made a weak defence, and was soon in difficulties. Gifford got two pawns close to queening, and the Archdeacon resigned. Kummer v. Cummings (French defence) — Cummings by an oversight lost on an exchange of pieces, and Kummer having two passed pawns won easily. Viner v. B. Mason (French defence)— This was one of the hardest games of the congress, and remained unfinished after six and three-quarter hours' play. Mason got somewhat cramped in the opening, but his defence was so sound that viner has not been able to break through. Mason has two rooks, bishop, and seven pawns, against two rooks, knight, and seven pawns. In this round Pleasants and Davies had byes.^