The Chess Tournament.

Hastings Standard, Issue 215, 8 January 1897, Page 2

The Chess Tournament.

[By Telegraph.]

(Per Press Assmiation.)

Chbistchurch, This day. The champion chess tourney coneluded last night when Barnes drew with Mellor, and won the championship. Mellor, who adopted the Ruy Lopez opening, soon got a cramped game, and appeared to be in a critical position at the twenty-fifth move. At tho twenty-seventh Barnes won a knight for a pawn. At the thirtysixth Mellor won a pawn, and at the lifty-iifth a draw was agreed upon. Hookham v. Cocks.—From a Queen's gambit opening the game was fairly even and cautiously contested until the thirty-seventh move, when Hookham lost a piece and resigned. Anderson v. Pleasants.—Ruy Lopez opening. Pleasants gained a piece on the twenty-fourth move, and Anderson resigned. Mason v. Clifford.—The Queen's gambit was adopted, and positions were even until the thirty-fifth move, when Mason lost an Exchange and resigned. Meldnun v. (irierson. Queen's pawn opening. The game was slightly in favor of Meldnun all through, and and (irierson resigned on the fourtieth move. Edwards a bye. Total JScoues.

Won. Lost. Kirnes (Wellington) 8 2 Mellor (1 >unedin) 7 a Cocks (Wellington) 7 8 Pleasants (Kangitikei) ... C l Anderson (Christehiu'ch) r, 5 (iilYortl (Bulls) ... r» r, Mason (Wellington) a :> Kdwards (Dunedin) t (> Hookham (Cliristchurehj •^! H Meldrum (Uangitikei) ... 8$ u (irierson (Auckland) I 9 Mfllor and Cocks agreed to divide the second pri.