CHESS CONGRESS.

Evening Star, Issue 13014, 8 January 1907, Page 7

CHESS CONGRESS.

YIN EE’S FIRST REVERSE. At the Now -Zealand International Chess Congress at Christchurch yesterday the game between Rolling and Crackenthorp (New South Wales) created great interest, and although it is possible that there were “ drawing ” positions, the Wellington representative, who played very cautiously, finally scored, amidst the congratulations of the interested spectators. An even more interesting game was furnished in tho following (sixteenth) round. This was the first meeting between the two Australians, Viner and Crackcnthorp, and the result was that the West Australian sustained his first defeat since the contest opened. The following arc details of the two games :

Rolling v. Crackcnthorp (French Defence) —On resuming Crackcnthorp gave up an idle knight to retain the attack. This resulted in an exchange of pieces, and a long duel ensued between Kelling’s rook anti two pawns and Crackenthorp’s bishop and throe pawns. Possibly even then tho game could have been drawn, but in endeavoring to win outright Crackenthorp lest his chance, tho pawn ho wished to quesn falling on .the seventh rank, and he resigned at move 78, Kclling having a rook and a king to the bare king. Viner v. Crackenthorp (French Defence) —The meeting of tho two champions created intense interest, and a sensation ensued when, after thirty moves only had been played and nearly all the pieces were on the board, Viner resigned. Crackenthorp adopted the French Defence, and Viner, as is usual in this game, at cnee brought his queen to bear on tho king’s side, Crackcnthorp having castled, but, on the other hand, had assumed tho aggressive on the queen’s side. Presently Viner castled, and Crackenthorp gained valuable time and forced Viner’s pieces on to the home line, all attempts to extricate them being frustrated. Crackenthorp now had a great attack, and he played a masterly game, never giving Viner a chance. By degrees he brought a queen, two rooks, and a- bishop to bear on Vincr’s king, which almost forced the latter- to_ smother the “monarch” with his own pieces. A strangle held then ensued, and Viner, who, "with the exception of a few weak moves in the opening, had played well, made a desperate attempt to free himself, but Crackenthorp was on the alert, and skilfully bringing a bishop in play on a flank attack, completed such a crushing position that Viner, seeing the result, resigned on his thirtieth move. Viner’s time was Ih 40min. nod Crackenthorp’s Ih 14min. ... The following wore the scores at the end of the sixteenth round ;

Wins. Losses. W. S. Viner, Perth. W. A. ... 13 1 P. Crackcnthorp. N.S.W. ... 12 4 R. .7. liames, Wellington ... 10 5 A. W. 0. Davies, Wellington 9i 4£ V. Knminer, Master ton 9; B. Mason. Lower Hutt 9“ 5 .7. C. Grierson, Auckland 9 6 J. Mason, Wellington 8 6 T). 7'orsvth, Otago - M S Stewart, Canterbury 7 7 7 8 F. K. Kellinsr. Wellington ... 6 8 Bon Parker, Wellington 6 8 0 C. Pleasants, Eangitikei ... 6 8 K. L. Curarnings, Canterbury 6 9 84 A. Gifford. Westport 5A J. Edwards. Otago ... 5 9 C. It. Sainsbury. Argentine ... 5 10 F! Sexton, Wakmru 44 9^ H. L. James, Wellington — H / 94 Archdeae.on Gould, Oamaru ... H 15*