CHESS

Evening Star, Issue 17776, 26 September 1921, Page 2

CHESS

OTAGO v. CANTERBURY,

WIN FOR OTAGO*

The annual telegraphic chess match between Canterbury and Otago was concluded on Saturday evening. Tho Canterbury team this year is about tho strongest that has yet represented them, althongh th«y wero without the &crvicett ot two upper-board players in ■ Messrs King and Hawkins. Otago was without Dunlop, Buchan, and Bolling. Otago-Avon tho toss and had tho’move on the oddnumbered boards. Canterbury early in the match gained first blood at board No. 13, whore Mr Noel Fulton, with a splendid game, misread a move, which cost him his queen, and resigned immediately, Mr Allen, at tho next board, soon afterwards made a similar blunder and resigned, but in this case Canterbury already had tho better position. Just before the close of play on the first evening Mr Andersen resigned at board- No. 1. Following are the teams, with a brief description of tho games. The Canterbury player is mentioned first in each case i

Board 1,-—H. L. Andersen (captain), v. A. W. 0. Davies, “King’s Gambit.” Andersen adopted an inferior defence and got into difficulties early, and resigned on the twentieth move. „ - , , . Board 2.—H. Kennedy v. R. A. Cleland. “Queen’s Gambit Declined.” Careful play led to an oven position throughout, and a draw resulted. Board 3.—Rev. Priberg v. 0. Balk, “Centra Counter Gambit?' A very interesting game, and quite unorthodox until the.’twenty-sixth move, when.a hasty move was made by the Canterbury player, who thereupon resigned. The game was thus abruptly terminated at a stage where it was fall of possibilities for either side. Board 4. —L. J. Darwin v. J. Edwards, " Irregular Opening.” This was also. an interesting game, and resulted iu a win for Otago. Tho local player gave up the exchange in order to maintain the attack, and afte/some brilliant play and thirteen consecutive checks left his opponent with much material disadvantage. Resignation followed on the 7orly-sixth move. Board 5.—D. Pihl v. L. D. Coombs. “ Queen’s Gambit Declined.” An even contest until tho Otago player lost a pawn in tho middle game and a second pawn later. With two pawns down he resigned at move 37.

Beard 6.—R. Lovcll-Smith v. W. G. Stenhouse (captain). “ Giuoco Piano." At the first adjournment the local player had a pawn down and a little the worst of it ; hut on resuming gradually worked up a winning game, eventually, having three passed pawns, obtaining later a well* deserved van.

Board 7.—P. Woodford v. A. E. Ellis. '“Scotch Gambit.” Early exchanges led to Canterbury losing two pawns and resigning at the fiftieth move. Board B.—W. B. Buckhurst v. J. Crow. "Buy Lopez.” Carefully-played game up to twenty-sixth move, when Dunedin player gained a knight, his opponent resigning four moves later. Board 9.—F. H. R. Neville v. S. S. Myers. “ Centre Gambit.” Early in the game the local player gained a small advantage and held on to.it throughout a well-fought game, and at move 40 obtained his opponent’s resignation., Board 10.—II. J. Quarrell v. J. J. Marlow. *' Giuoco Piano.” A hard game followed a missed opportunity at move 11. Position in favor of Canterbury. Left for adjudication. Board’ 11.—W. H. Joyce v. G. I). Wright. “Ruy > Lopez.” At move 17 Otago player gained bishop for pawn. Canterbury, however, got a nasty advanced pawn, which, being well supported, considerably cramped the, position, and only after a very hard struggle did Otago register a win

Board 12. —J. O. Chapman v. F. H. Henderson. “Ruy Lopez.” Canterbury won a bishop for a pawn in the middle game. "The position ha.s been left for adjudication’ at an interesting stage.

Board 13.—-R. S. Shillito v, N. Fulton. “ Queen’s Pawn Game.” Won by Canterbury.

Board 14.—J. E. Stevens y. W. H. Allen. “;King’s Bishop Gambit?’ ■ Won by Canterbury. Board 15.—E, L. Wilson v R. J. Penrose. “ King’s Pawn Game.” At the adjournment from previous Saturday's play the local player had slight advantage, which, however, he has not .maintained, and the position now goes to adjudication, with ©very prospect of a draw. Board 16.—E. Dalton v. L. Grigg. “ Ruy Lopez.” Otago defended against strong attack, and through, excellent play emerged with winning position, and obtained Canterbury’s resignation after forty moves had been made.

Result; Otago Canterbury 3j. The three games reserved for adjudication will improve Canterbury’s score, but cannot affect the result of tho match. This concludes Otago’s telegraphic fixtures for tho season. In the three matches against Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch the local dub won 1, lost 1, and drew 1.

During the week’s interval many congratulations were received on learning ■that Mr R. A. Cleland was again repre’senting tho club in .telegraphic matches. Mr Goodwin operated the wires at this end very successfully. Air W. F. Robinson acted at the other end as umpire for Otago, and Mr T. M. Gillies umpired at this end in tho interests of Canterbury.

During the evening advantage was taken of tho opportunity of presenting Mrs T. M. Gillies with two handsome ladies’ handbags, and Mr S; S. Myers, in an appropriate speech, _ aiked Mr Gillies to convey to Mrs Gillies the thanks of the players for her consideration in providing refreshments at these gatherings.