CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

Evening Star, Issue 20993, 6 January 1932, Page 12

CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

GYLES OUT OF IT INTERESTING POSITION [Per Uhitrd Press Association.] NAPIER, January 5. The position at the close of the twelfth round of the chess championship is interesting. By arrangement, Erskine and Purdy played their twelfth round games in advance, and finished with 11 and 10 points respectively. In order to win the championship it is necessary for Gundersen to win both his remaining games, which would make his total 11J. Gyles, however, whoso chance disappeared on his defeat by Rutherfurd, played Gundersen to a draw in a fine game full of excitement. Gundersen has to play Severn© to-mor-row, and, if he wins, a play-off with Erskine will be necessary. Purdy is definitely third. Gyles must win tomorrow to be sure of fourth (place. The following are the results of the concluding games in the eleventh round:—

Smith lost to Maddox. Centre counter. The local player proved to be no match for his more experienced opponent, and resigned on his twentyseventh move. Scott heat Fairbum. Scotch game. —Scott won a pawn and later a knight for two pawns. Playing a difficult game, Fairbum lost an exchange and a pawn, and resigned on move 37. Severne lost to Kelling. Four knights game.—Severne developed a strong position, but moved a pawn which endangered hi» queen, which he saved at the cost of a piece. Kelling maintained the advantage, and won. Rutherfurd beat Gyles. Queen’s pawn game.—Gyles had to win this game to remain in the running for_ first place, and in an even position tried to force a win, and lost. O’Halloran lost to Purdy. Queen’s pawn game.—O’Halloran played carefully, but Purdy obtained a better game, and won. TWELFTH ROUND. Purdy beat Scott. Queen’s pawn game.—This game was played carefully in advance. It was evenly contested. Scott missed a draw. Erskine beat Smith. Zukertout.— Smith followed his opponent’s moves, and a very close game followed. O’Halloran drew with Rutherfurd. Queen’s gambit declined.—Rutherfurd seemed to have a slight pull, but it was too risky to endeavour to force a win, and a draw was agreed upon after 44 moves.

Gundersen drew _ with Gyles. Four knights game.—This game, which was watched by a number of interested spectators, was the key game of the round. Gyles launched an early attack, which Gundersen refuted, winning a piece in the process. Further exchanges appeared in favour of white, who apparently had clearly won the game. Gundersen, however, fell for a rook sacrifice, which was unsound and which resulted in an ending of knight, bishop, and pawn versus rook and two pawiis, full of interest. A draw was agreed upon. Immediately after the opening of the evening session Maddox lost to Severne. Irregular opening. Maddox worked up a good position, but later got a rook out of play, and later lost an exchange. After the further loss of a bishop his game was hopeless. Kelling beat the Rev. Mr Miller after seventy-four moves. White was left with a king versus a bishop to his opponent’s lone king. Miller called on Kelling to mate him in fifty moves, which Kelling did. Fairburn drew with Grierson. After an exchange of all pieces, black had an extra pawn, but the advantage- was not sufficient to win. THIRTEENTH ROUND. Two games played in advance to suit the convenience of the players resulted as under:—Erskine beat Scott, Fairburn beat Purdy. Queens pawn game. Purdy forced the pace, but Fairburn hung on grimly, and survived the onslaught.