CHESS CONGRESS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 156, 30 December 1925, Page 7

CHESS CONGRESS

PROGRESS OF FOURTH ROUND

MOIR A POINT IN THE LEAD.

(Bl TELEGRAPH. —PRBSB ASSOCIATION.)

DUNEDIN, 29th December.

The New Zealand Chess Congress was continued to-day with the following results in the fourth round:—

Crakanthorp v. Moir.—An Aleckine Defence game in which Moir strove to make the game open and in doing bo lost a pawn, but recovered a pawn later, with a preferable game whiqh, however, was skilfully defended by Crakanthorp, who obtained a creditable draw. ■

Fenwick v. E. E. Hicks.—Queen's Gambit declined. Fenwick gained a power-ful-attack on Hick's King's side, but he weathered the storm and gained a small advantage, but not sufficient to win, and a draw was agreed to. Barnes v. Gyles.—Queen's Gambit d»clinedr Barnes built up a strong- 'attack and-won an important pawn, and in subsequent play Gyles inadvertently moved a wrong rook, and Barnes won. Severne y. Miller.—French Defence. Miller counter-attacked prematurely and allowed Severne to set up a vigorous attack, which forced Miller's resignation.

Pihl y. Kelling.—Queen's Gambit declined. Kelling won a pawn in the middle game, but subsequently made a miscalculation, which enabled Pihl to get the better position and win. Davies v. E. A. Hicks.—French Defence. Hicks played his favourite defence stubbornly, but after an interesting game resigned after a rather feeble attempt to obtain a stalemate. Fairburn v. Purdy.—Queen's Pawn game. Purdy defended irregularly, but the game was even' up to the 21st move, when Fairburn allowed Purdy to make a strong move, which forced the game to a successful issue a few moves later. Erskine v. Stenhouse. —Queen's Gambit declined. Erskine obtained a strong attack and won an exchange, but skilful play on Stenhouse's part secured him a draw." . The following is the position of the players at the end of the fourth round:

iSfiUinjD -a. Wins. Djaws. Losses*. "Pts. Moir : 3 1 — 3% Grakanthorp ..2 1 — 2% Barnes ...... 2 — 1 2 Severne '2 1 1 , 2% Gyles 1. 1 2 1% E. E. Hicks ..II 2 1% Dunlop I.— 2 1 Miller — — * ° , SECTION B. Wins. Draws. Losses. Pts. Erskine 2 1 — 2% Anderson .... 2 1 — 2v4 I'ihl 2 1 — 2'4 Purdy 2 — ] 2 2 * Fairburn .... 2 — 2 J StenhoiiHe ... 1 1 2.1% Davies 1 - 2 ,] Kelline ....... 1 — 3 t x E. A. Hicks ..1 - 3.1