CHESS

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 32, 7 August 1919, Page 2

CHESS

OTAGO V. WELLINGTON

The above clubs commenced their annual match on Saturday evening, when an early. start was effected and good progress was made, thanks to the very complete arrangements made bfs Mr. Ta-lbot (Superintendent of Telegraphs) and by the working bees in Dunedin and Wellington. The operators—Messrs. G. Clark (Wellington) and A. Goodwin (Dunedin) —sent the moves through with the utmost'despatch. Mr. F. J. Mouab umpired here for Otago, and Mr. W. Alexander officiated for Wellington in Dunedin. Messrs. W. E. Bock, G. A. Jones, Norman, Purchas, Aschkens, and H. E. ]?in!ay acted as scrutineers. The match is being followed with more than ordinary interest, as both clubs have recently scored, a two-point win (3-6) from the Canterbury Club. The Wellington team is a strong one, despite the absence of Messrs. Davies, Still, James, Purchas, Lee, M'Nair, and Brooker, who are not available on this occasion. Through winning the toss, Wellington had first move at the oddmimbered boards. The various games have reached a more advanced stage than is usual on a first evening. The run of the play was as follows, the Otago name being given first in each instance :— Board 1, E, A. Clelland v. R. J. Barnes (Ruy Lopez). Several exchanges have brought this bout to the endgame stage. The local captain prefers his position. : Board 2, 0. Balk v. W. E. Mason. The former played the Blackman Gambit, which the books do not recommend. He lost ■ two pawns, and resigned at move 21, when the loss of a minor piece was inevitable. Board 3, Rev. Friberg and W. Mackay (French Defence). The former has given up a pawn to avoid a cramped game and positional disadvantage. Board 4, A., Ellis v. Kelling (Giuoco Piano). Several exchanges have left this game in a very even state. • Board 5, J. H. F. Hamel v. Fouhy (Queen's Gambit declined). NThe latter has won two pawns and has the freer game. , Board 6, L. D. Coombs v. G. P. Anderson (Giuoco Piano). A hard-fought game. Position and material equal. Board 7, S. S. Myers v. Godtschalk (King's Gambit accepted). The former has rushed Ms pawns forward, and they are now blocked by the opposing pawns. There should be an interesting finish at this board. Board 8, C. Amtman v. L. Sim (Ruy Lopez). The latter, who is a returned soldier and an active member of the Oriental Football Club, has won a pawn, and has a good game. Board 9, A. E. Ward v. S. Gyles (Centre Counter). The former had to give up his queen for a knight to avoid a mate in two. Gyles should win easily. Board 10, W. H. Allen v. E. S. Taylor (Ruy Lopez). Forces and position about' even. Board 11, H. H. Henderson v. H. A. Ward-(Queen's Pawn game). The former has force-majeure, having won a knight. Board 12, Worraan v. C. W. Tanner (Four Knights game). This well-fought game is in a very even state. „ Board 13, C. H. Black v. S. Faulknor (Queen's Pawn game). The former is> endeavouring to regain the laurels lost when these two playere met in the Easter rally at Masterton. Faulknor's position would probably be taken for choice. Board 14, D. H. Hastings v. W. C. White (Danish Gambit). ,It was drily remarked that this was shorter than the other Battle of Hastings (1066), as the local player won early in the evening, at move 17. Board 15, C. W. Grigg v. A. ClaTk (Ruy Lopez). The latter has force- • majeure, having won a. knight for two pawns. From these notes it will be seen that the local side holds a slight advantage. Some splendid finishes should be witnessed when the match is concluded on Saturday evening. Mr. Cleland, the Otago champion, has announced that this is his last "match" • appearance, and that'he»is retiring from strenuous play after some thirty years' service in the Otago Chess Club. Mr. Cleland, it may be added, holds a unique record, in that he scored the whole of his games when winning the New Zenland Championship at the 1898-9 Congress, i

A two-round match between the c jess clubs of Hastings and Napier resulted in favour of.the latter by ten games to four. Mr. A. W. Gyles, who has been run-ner-up for the New Zealand Championship on three occasions, is returning to the Dominion after performing more than four years of war-work, mostly in the Field Ambulance. He is expected to arrive in Wellington during the ensuing fortnight.