N.Z. CHESS TOURNEY

Evening Star, Issue 20062, 31 December 1928, Page 4

N.Z. CHESS TOURNEY

THE FOURTH ROUND [Per U nited Press Association'.] WELLINGTON, December 30, The fourth round of the New Zealand chess championship congress was continued on Saturday. The games were as follow Miller v. Hicks (King’s Gambit Declined).—As might have been expected Miller’s first move was J’-KIII, intending to play his favourite Algaier variation or gambit, but Hicks frustrated that intention, securing an opportunity to proceed with the Halkbeer counter gambit. However, he captured a gambit pawn instead, thus evading the smashing Charoussek attack. Miller had other options, and indulged his ] enchant for early attack, which Hicks meritoriously warded off, at the same time working up a strong combination for a successful attack. This lie completed with his twentythird move (Kt-Kll 4), and had he sacrificed that knight for a pawn on K Kt 3 the victory would unquestionably have been his, and with it probably also the brilliancy prize. Up to this stage Hicks had played splendidly, but the possible capture of his passed pawn worried him to the neglect of more'important manoeuvres,’and his play palpably weakened and fizzled out in defeat. , . Severne v. Erskine (Alekhine’s Defence) .—This game reached its nineteenth move and was in an absorbing position without any advantage on either side, when Severne just failed to make the required twenty moves within the hour, thus losing the match. This gave Erskine his third, win, and he is without a loss so far. Gyles v. Fairburn (French Defence). —Gyles took risks with his opponent in the 'early, stages of the game which he would not have thought of doing with a stronger player, but Fairburn woefully failed to take advantage of them, and the game can best be credited as a triumphal march to victory. Scott v. M'Crea (Queen’s Dambit Declined).—The Wanganui colt played a remarkably good game from end to end, in which he showed that he possesses the aptitude for .correct reasoning. He kept his opponent on the defensive almost from the start, but M'Crer. defended well, maintaining equal!". - in force up to his sixtieth move, when only one minor piece each, with five pawns, fenlained on the board. With blocked pawns and. a clear board, Scott’s bishop prevailed, and he won a well-fought game on the sixtyninth move. •; ' The results so far are as follow Miller, .4 wins, no losses. Erskine, 3 wins, no los'ss. Gyles, 3 wins, 1 loss. Hicks, U wins, *2] losses. Severne,"li winsj 2J losses. Kelling, li wins: 1} 1 >. ~Scott, 1 win, 2 losses. ' , . 'FCrea, ] win, 3| losses. Fairburn, no wins, 3 losses.