CHESS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 29 December 1925, Page 7

CHESS.

DOMINION CHAMPIONSHIP (BY TELEGIIAI'H I’ll ESS ASSOCIATION.) DUNEDIN, Doe. 28. In the New Zealand championship chess congress the first round results were:— Millar (Westport) v. Crakanthorp (Sydney): The latter drew first- blood', defeating Miller in thirteen moves in a queen’s pawn game. Dunlop (Otago) and Gyles (Wellington) played a Vienna game, which resulted in a fierce struggle, Gyles winning on the fifty-ninth move. Moir (Auckland) v. E. Hicks (Ngaio): Queen’s gambit declined. Hicks got very' cramped in his game, resigning on the thirteenth move. Severn (Nelson) v. Fenwick (Hamilton) : French defence on irregular lines. Won by Femviclc after a long struggle. Barnes (Wellington) had the bye in section A, and Davis (Otago) the bye in section B. Purdy (N.S.W.) v. Pihl (Christchurch) : A two-kniglit defence, in which Pihl lowered the colours of last year’s champion in a well-played game. Anderson (Wellington) v. E. A. Hicks (Wellington): French defence, resulting in a keen struggle. Won by Anderson. Kclling (Wellington) v. Stenhouse (Otago). Buy Lopez opening, in which Kelliug gained a superior game and won in thirty-four moves. Fairburn (Wellington) v. Erskine (Victoria): Queen’s gambit declined. Won easily by the Victorian. Second Round. E. E. Hicks v. Sevcrnc: A four knights game. An early injudicious exchange of pieces left Hicks with a piece to the bad, which advantage enabled Sovcrne to gain a strong attack, which Hicks could not withstand.

Moir v. Gyles: Queen’s gambit, declined. The game proceeded on book lines until Moir offered a piece, which was declined. Gyles defended steadily and the end of the game was reached with the positions very even, but then Moir outplayed his opponent and Gyles resigned on move dp. Anderson v. Purdy: French defence. Purdy won two pawns in the opening, but Anderson initiated a strong attack, which Purdy was unable to defend in the time limit of twenty moves to the hour. Davies v. Erskine: Centre counter. There was careful play for twenty minutes, when Davies sacrificed a bishop lor three pawns. An exceedingly complicated game resulted in a will for t.lie Melbourne representative. Fairburn v. Sterihouse: Two knights defence. Stonhouse failed to take advantage of a weak variation. He attacked prematurely and Fairburn obtained the better game and brought off a smothered mate. Barnes v. Femvick: Indian defence. An even game up to the thirteenth move, when Barnes gained a material advantage and some interesting play followed, Barnes ultimately coming out the victor. Dunlop v. -Millar: Queen’s pawn game. Dunlop got an advantage early, and although Millar defended strongly he had to lower his colours. [veiling v. E. A. Hicks: French defend'. An even game, which was well contested'awl is unfinished. Third Round. Crakanthorp v. Dunlop: Ruy Lopez opening. A stubborn game in which Crakanthorp obtained a pawn advantage, and after gradual exchanges he won. E. A. Hicks v. Fairburn: Scotch game. Fairburn sacrificed a bishop, which was accepted. The sacrifice turned out to be sound and eventually Hicks resigned. Purdy v. Kclling: Queen’s gambit declined. Purdy early gained a considerable advantage in development, which he successfully pushed, obtaining Kelling’s resignation on the twentieth move. Millar v. Moir: Queen’s pawn game. •A lively attacking game on both sides, which was won by Moir. The other games are unfinished. It was decided by a majority of the competitors that the four top players in each section should combine in a final section, and play off for the championship.