CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

Evening Star, Issue 18160, 28 December 1922, Page 10

CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

THE SECOND ROUND, Tho chess congress was continued at Christchurch. The result of tho second' round was as under: — Anderson Beat Pihl. Dunlop beat Coombs. M'Crea ami Buchan played a. drawn, match. Severn beat Miller. DETAILS OF PLAY. Anderson v. Pihl I .—Anderson chose the Vienna opening. An early exchange of centre pawns gave Anderson on open king, bishop’s file, and strong pawn centre, with pawn at king’s fifth. Ini the struggle for position knights were changed off, leaving Anderson’s advanced passed pawn still more dangerous. Tho only weakness In Andcrson’a game was an isolated queen’s pawn. Anderson's further advance of queen’s pawn gave Pihl a chance to get rid of the dangerous pawn, but he made futile counter-attack with queen and bishop. Anderson pushed on with centre passed, pawns. In saving his immediate position Pihl ga,ve up a bishop for a pawn, and from that point Anderson played soundly and worked up mating position on move 40, when Pihl resigned. Dunlop v. Ooombs.—This was an irregular Queen’s Pawn opening, a very even game resulting from an exchange of minor pieces. Pieces and position wore almost even, though perhaps Coombs was in a better position for attack. At move 22 Coombs, fearing the strength of a knight move which Dunlop threatened, gave up a knight for a pawn, but this failed in its object, for Dunlop’s attack continued. Coombs lost a rook, and a few moves later resigned from a hopeless game. M’C’rea v. Buchan.—The Queen Bishop’s Gambit offered by M’Orea was declined. M’Orea made an early exchange of pawns, which enabled him to change queens. Good pawn play by Buchan gave him pawn up, and passed pawn on king’s sixth. M'Crea captured this dangerous pawn, but failed to change off rook for two minor pieces which were offering. With an exchange of minor pieces a fairly even game resulted. M’Crea, being pressed for time later on, offered a draw, which was accepted by Buchan, who had rather a cramped position. Govern v. Miller.—Miller replied with French Defence to Severn’s opening, setting rip a very solid defence. Severn obtained an attack along tho diagonal with queen and bishop along rook’s pawn. He then brought up two knights for attack', with one at K 5 and the other at Kt 5, taxing Miller’s defence to the utmost, Severn delayed his attack, enabling 'Miller to strengthen his position by advancing pawn to B 4, and by a series of exchanges Severn opened Miller’s rook’s tile, and, advancing queen’s pawn, forced Miller to exchange and give him an open file for queen's rook. Severn’s attack was overwhelming, Miller, being forcecj to give up a queen for a bishop and rook. Severn continued in fine style, winning Miller’s rook. Miller then resigned.