CHESS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 25, 29 July 1926, Page 7

CHESS

OTAGO C.C. V. WELLINGTON C.C

The series of telegraphic matches for the club championship of the Dominion was continued on Monday eveningi when the Otago and Wellington Clubs were pitted against each other in. friendly rivalry. There was no play at boards 1, 3, 19, and 20, the Otago representatives being unable to attend owing to sickness. Exceptionally good progress was, however, made at the remaining sixteen tables. Both teams endeavoured to keep time-leakage—a feature inseparable from matches by telegraph—down to a minimum, and they were greatly assisted by the experienced umpiring of Messrs. W. Toomath (Wellington) and T. M. Gillies (Dunedin). The food work of the two operators, Messrs. '. W. Rivers in Wellington and A. Smith in Dunedin, and the careful scrutineering of Messrs. H. M. Rosenberg, W. Wring, G. H. Clutten, and A. W. Gyles, were also most helpful. The local club ia being represented by the following players:—E. A. Hicks, W. E. Mason, A. W. Gyles, R. J. Barnes, G. Wigham, F. K. Kelling, A. T. Craven, J. C. M'Crea, D. Purchas, H. Godtschalk, E. S. Taylor, E. E. Hicks, W. J. Fan-burn, W. White, C. W. Tanner, W. B. Clark, A. Gyles, Mrs. Gyles, F. Grady, and G. Greig. The Otago team is as follows:—B. W. Stenhouse, Dirk Pihl, W. G. Stenhouse, 0. Balk, L. D. Coombs, L. Cohen, S. S. Myers, G. D.1 Wright, W. H. Allen, G. M. Cleghorn, R. M'Dermid, Dr. G. Barnett, Dr. Merrington, G. F. M'Dermid, R. Watt, R. N. Banning, W. B. Rendall, W. Herbert, and two players to be selected for boards 19 and 20. Three games have been completed as follow:—Board 4, O. Balk (0.C.C.) v. R. J. Barnes (W.C.C.). The latter scored at move 16 through the medium of a brilliant combination, in which he sacrificed two pieces and gave up the exchange in order to force a mate in four moves. Thiß ending, which is one of the finest ever brought off in New Zealand, was greatly admired m both centres. Board 30, G. M. Cleghorn (0.C.C.) v. H. Godtschalk (W.C.C.). A very evenly-contested game, in which a draw was agreed to shortly before play ceased for the day. Board 11. E. S. Taylor (W.C.C.) v. R. M'Dermid (O.C.C). lhe latter won a pawn and the exchange. Continuing to force matters, he was subsequently a rook to the good, Mr. Taylor at this stage resigning a game so hopeless that, as the German master Horrwitz would have said, "even brandy wouldn't save it." The tally is thus 1% all at present. Mrs. Gyles, the only lady taking part in New Zealand's telegraphic matches, has won a knight at board 18. Wellington •ib a pawn up at board 14, and has positional advantage at game No. 5. The remaining games are in a very even state. If the play is as brisk when the _ match is resumed on Monday next as it was last Monday there should be very few unfinished games when the instrument is dismantled. Enthusiasts who can be present should witness some very interesting and instructive endings.