CHESS TOURNEY

Evening Star, Issue 20374, 4 January 1930, Page 9

CHESS TOURNEY

FIGHT FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP TENTH ROUND [Pee United Press Association.] WANGANUI, January 3. The following are the results m the tenth round of the chess championship:— Topp v. Hicks. —Topp played the Ruy Lopez opening. Following the exchange variation m this play, Hicks gained the better position and immediately forced the bishop’s file and brought up pieces for attack. Not being successful in his attempt, ho was satisfied to make a drawn game by giving perpetual check. Purdv v. Fairburn.—Fairburn offered the Petroff Defence, but Purdy followed, with pawn to queen four, and Fairbury gave up a knight for two pawns. Purdy took advantage of Fairourn’s undeveloped position, aud attacking in the centre, won a bishop and established a rook on the seventh rank. Queen and knight now took up the battle, and Fairburn’s king was forced into checkmate on the rook s square. . Rutherfurd v. Beyer.—The latter adopted the French Defence, the variation providing a bright, free development. Beyer was able to capture a centre pawn, and with queen, bishop, and knight launch a strong attack. Rutherfurd’s defence was weak, and, seeing that Beyer threatened checkmate in three moves, he resigned. Kelling v. Anderson.—A lively opening came out of the Sicilian Defence offered by Anderson. Exchanges were numerous, the queens leaving the game at the eighteenth move. _ At the close of the middle game Kelling held an extra pawn and later won a second Eawn. In the pawn and rook ending, owever, ho missed the winning variation, and Anderson managed to make a drawn game. Scott and Erskine—ln this Sicilian game pieces and positions were very even till, the fifteenth move, who” Erskiue attacked along the open knight file. In the late middle-game exchanges Scott obtained the superior pawn position, and by skilful knight play was able to obtain a queening position for his pawn, whereupon Eskine resigned. Jeffreys v. Pleasants.—The Zukerfort opening was adopted by Jeffreys, Pleasants being the first playef to develop for attack. Jeffries carelessly lost a knight for a pawn, and Pleasants, with doubled rooks and two knights, held a strong centre and king side position. _ Pleasants now missed a brilliant combination, but was able to wear down Jeffrey’s forces and compel his resignation on the fifty-ninth move.

Gundersen v. Severn.—The latter player’s favourite Four Knights Game was adopted, giving Gundersen good attacking chances. , Seve’-ne’s king was forced across in front of his queen, and he was able to relieve the strain upon his position by taking a dangerous bishop and by giving a check. In the exchanges Gundersen gained two pawns, and, although his pawns were on each rook file, he was a ole to force a win. ELEVENTH ROUND. Fairburn v. Topp.—The favourite Queen Bishop’s Gambit was played, and produced an interesting game. The positions appeared very even, but there was more in Fairburn’s combination than Topp saw, and he was surprised when the former launched an attack that was one move short of checkmate. There was no chance of recovery, so Topp resigned. Pleasants v. Gunderson.—Gundersen adopted a variation of the Sicilian Defence. Pleasants lost a pawn in the middle game, and he was not able to withstand the attack set up by Gundersen. The exchanges leading to the end of the'game strengthened Gunderson’s position, and Pleasants, realising the hopelessness of his game, resigned. Hicks v. Scott.—Hicks played the Reti game, and throughout the opening and middle game very even positions wore the rule. In the changes leading to the end game Scott played weakly. He captured Hicks’S centre pawn, but allowed his own pawns to fall. With the rook and two passed pawns, Hicks was able to win. Severno v. Kelling.—This FourKnight game proved most interesting.; Attack and counter-attack alternated until Soverne seemed to have his forces arranged to win. Killing had to let a bishop go, but had provided for a perpetual check, which was not met by Sovcrno. The game ended in a draw. E. shine v. Jeffreys.—This was another Queen Bishop’s Gambit, played with sparkle and freedom. Positions were oven until Erskine mar ‘ an offensive in the centre, threatening to win a rook. To i-liove his position Jeffreys gave up the exchange. Erskine hack a telling reply, which won the rook, and he later forced the exchange of queens, whereupon Jeffreys resigned. Dyer v. Purdy.—ln this Queen Bishop’s Gambit, Purdy won a pawn in the opening game, and changed offensive and two minor pieces. Beyer’s counter attack won bad-: a pawn,- but Purdy was left with a passed pawn on the queen’s side. A great end game with rooks and knight versus roots and bishop took place. Beyer captured another pawn, and held the winning position, but allowed Purdy to shut off the rook’s attack upon the pawn. At tlio rook's seventh*, Purdy, being able to queen, Beyer resigned. Anderson v. Rutherford. The favourite Queen Bishop’s Gambit was adopted, and a very even game was the outcome. Anderson’s attack with queen and bishop was met. ami Rutherford seemed like holding a draw. Anderson was nob to be denied, and pressed the attack with queen bishop and pawn against queen knight and pawn. Rutherford got into a cramped position, and Anderson, changing off Queens, was able to win by queening a pawn. GUNDERSEN LEADING. Position of players at tlio end of the eleventh round ;

W. L. ]). Pts. Gunderscu ... 9 i 1 94 Severn© ... 7 ] 3 81 Anderson ... 6 1 4 8 Purdy ... 8 O 0 8 Ei-skino ... 6 3 2 7 Rolling ... 4 2 5 6i Pleasants ... S C 0 5 Scott •... ... ... 4 6 1 4J Hicks ... 1 4 6 4 J eilroys ... 3 , 6 2 4 Rutherford ... 2 5 4 4 Beyer ... b 7 1 3-1 Fairburu ... i 7 3 21 Topp ... 1 8 o 2