CHESS

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 31, 6 August 1923, Page 11

CHESS

WELLINGTON C.C. V. CANTERBURY C.C. *

The seventeenth telegraphic match between the Wellington and Canterbury Chess Clubs was commenced on Saturday evening, 20 boards being in use. Mr. Stephens umpired for the Wellington Club in Christchurch, while at this end Mr. Johannes C. Andersen acted for the Canterbury Club, of which he was formerly a prominent member. Working bees were busy in both centres during the afternoon, the preliminaries at this end being attended to by Messrs. W. Toomath (hon. secretary), T. Fouhy, and E. Hirter. Good progress was made, thanks to their efforts, and to the good work of the experienced operators, viz,, Messrs G. Clark (Wellington) and S. T. Seward (Christchurch). A word of praise i 8 also due to the scrutineers, Messrs. Toomath and Hirter, and Masters Edmond and Dan Fouhy. .As a result of the care and vigilance shown by them, and also by the Christohurch scrutineers, there was a gratifying absence of clerical errors. Messrs. A. W. Gyles, W. White, S. Faulknor, G. Wigham, and F. J. Brooker were unable to play for the local club, and Mr. Dirk Pihl was a notable absentee from the "Avonside" team. Canterbury won the toss, and thus had first move at the odd-numbered boards. The run of the play may be briefly stated as follows,, the Canterbury name being given first in each instance :

(1) H. Andersen v. W. Mackay.—This game is to be played over the board during Mr.. Andersen's visit to Wellington.

(2) H. J. Armstrong v. R. J. Barnes. —Van T'Kruy opening. This was in a very even state when play ceased for the day.

(3) H. Kennedy v. G. P. Anderson. Queen's Gambit Declined.—Even.

(4) W. S. King v. W. E. Mason. Queen's Pnwn Game.—The former won tlie exchange (Rook for Bishop) with a fine move that, like Mark Twain's thin horse, "had points." Mason then launched an interesting attack with his two bishops and queen, but King met it af all points, and at the same time added three pawns to his "force majeure." This game looks like ending in a, very meritorious win for the Southern player.

(5) The Rev. N. Friborg v. IS. A. Hicks. French Defence.—Hicks won a pawn at move 11, and at move 19, took a knight that was apparently left as n trap. By au ingenious counter-attack Hicks extricated his queen fro?n a tight corner at the cost of a pawn, and he thus enters the en^-game a bishop to the good.

(6) T. Hawkins v. T. Fouhy. \ Queen's Gambit Declined.—Even.

(7) H. J. Quarrell v. F. K. Kelling. Ruy Lopez.—Even.

(3) R. Lovell-Smith v. H. G. Lee. Ruy Lopez.—Even, and very interesting by n-eason of the fearless advance, of Lee's pawns. '

(9) E. W. Cave v. A. T. Craven. Evans Gambit.—Accepted. Mr. Graven retained the gambit pawn, and later on won a knight. Playing strongly he scored at move 20—a vound of applause shortly before 11 p.m. greeting the first score of the match.

(10) F. Woodford v. H. Godtschalk. Quean's JVvu Opening,—Even, except that the former is under the slight disadvantage of being saddled with an isolated doubled pawn.

(11) W. B. Buckhurst v. H. Jessup. Four Knights' Opening.—Even. (12) W. H. Joyce v. D. Purchas. Queen's Gr-ibit Declined.—Mr. Punhas who gradually worked up the better position, got in some fine play with his knights, doubtless the fruits of the study that he has given to problems and end games. His opponent resigned at move 24, when the loss of the queen was inevitable. Mr. Purchas was complimented on scoring. Wellington's second win at 11 p.m.

(13)— F. H. R. Neville v. E. S, Taylor. Centre Game.—Even. .

(14) H. I. Bennett v. C. W. Tanner. King's Bishop Gambit.—Even.

(15) R, S. Shillito v. W. J. Fairburn. Queen's Gambit DeQlined.—Even.

(16) Pascoe v. A, L. Lawson. Queen's Gambit Declined,—Lawson has won a bishop and a pawn, and should score. (17) C. L. King v. A. E. Jessup. Scotch Opening.—Even.

(18) B. Shillito v. H. E. Crandle. Giuoco Piano.—Crandle should have no difficulty in scoring this game, being the exchange and four pawns to the good. (19) C. L. Hart v. Gyles, senior. Giuoco Piano. —Mi\ Gyles hold a one-pawn advantage, which he picked up at move 14.

(20) D. Gibb v. Mrs. Gyles. Giuoao Piano.—The former won the exchange and a pawn. Mrs. Gyles is fighting a good rearguard action, with a usefql knight.

The match is to be resumed at 6 p.n>. qn Saturday nest. Spectators may-rely on seeing some interesting and instructive finishes.