N.Z. CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

Evening Star, Issue 13145, 29 December 1908, Page 4

N.Z. CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

I Play in the first round of the New Zead»nd_ chess championship tournament was continued last evening and night "in the Otago Chess Club's rooms, Liverpool -atieet. The following are further results | 6i play in the • —First Round.— Grierson v. Forsyth.—This game was drawn after the contestants had played dangerously close to the time limit ere they found that headway against each other was impossible. Forsyth s' defence—the Greco Counter Gambit—was adopted, on the ground that Grierson's familiarity with it was thin. Grierson, notwithstanding that he had not faced the Counter tiambit for a decade, exercised care, and avoided traps so well that a draw resulted. .Mason v. Kelling.—As mentioned yesterday, Mason adopted Zukertort's opeuing—his favorite. After a smart attack by Mason and skilful parrying by Kelling, their positions at the 32nd move were oven, and the game was adjourned till Wednesday night Barnes v. Dalies.—Barnes began with the Buy Lopez opening, and a keen conxst followed. At 5.15 p.m., despite the fact that Barnes had a pawn to his advantage, indications suggested a draw. As the late sederunt was set apart for the opening of the second round, the game was adjourned till Wednesday night. Edwards v. Dodds (previously reported). —The latter resigned on the fiftieth move. . The Rev. B. Fox had a bye. —Second Round.— The draw for the second round, which began at 7.15, was as follows .-—Kelling v. Davies, Mason v. Fox, Forsyth v. Barnes, Dodds v. Grierson, Edwards a bye. Results : Mason v. Fox.—Mason adopted Zukertort's opening, and tho game was even until the 25th move, when Fox overlooked a fork of queen by knight, which led to his resignation on the 30th move. Forsyth v. Barnes.— .»arnes declined an offer of the King's Gambit by moving P- Q4. Up to the 24th move the game was open. Just before the adjournment Forsyth, through an oversight, lost the exchange, but thereby got rid of a stronglyattacking bishop. Shortly afterwards the game was adjourned until this morning. On resuming play this forenoon Forsyth lost the remaining exchange, and Barnes secured back his pawn with snch a strong attack that Forsyth gracefully resigned on the 35th movo. Dodds v. Grierson.—ln a modern variation of the Giuoco Piano opening, which is krown as "Holler's Attack," Grierson, playing black, departed from the books, gaining an advantage in pawns. This advantage, however, led to a very difficult position, which ended in his resignation at the 26th move. By more cautious play at the commencement Grierson could have avoided the more serious dangers of the opening stages, but he missed the opportunity at the right moment, and lost the game. The Rev. A. T. Chodowski was appointed umpire for to-day's play. The forenoon sederunt was wholly devoted to the continuation of two second-round games adjourned from last night. One game (Forsyth v. Barnes) was concluded, and resulted in a win for Mr Barnes (already reported);' the other (Kelling v. Davies) is still in doubt. Kelling v. Davies (Ruy Lopez).—ln this game play opened last mght at 7.15 p.m. During ,the early stages of the game play was evenly contested. After the exchange of everal pawns and a couple of rooks, Kelling-gained an advtangc of a pawn, and at that stage (10.15 p.m.) the game wa<s ■adjourned. On resuming this morning Kelling exercised a slight pressure, but failed to use a fine opportunitv to gain two knights for a rook. Kelling is now left with knight and two pawns against Davies'* knight and pawn. So far the game has the longest duration in the tournament. At 1 p.m. play was further adjourned. At tho fiixty-fifth move the positions pointed to a draw, but one never knows. Probably play will be resumed tomorrow. v At 2.15 p.m. play in the third round wa s comenced. Tbe draw was as follows: White. Black. Names v. Kelling Davies v. Mason Doddw v. Fox ;:<,■• Edwards v. Forsyth Grierson a bye. Play in those matches was proceeding ■when we went to press. The inner comforts of the players have been kindly attended to by lady supporters of tho Otago Chess Club. Yesterday afternoon tea and refreshments were supplied and served by Mrs H. Armstrong, and this afternoon Mrs R. A. Cleland provided similar cheer. It is anticipated that the tourney will conclude on Tuesday next.