CHESS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 13948, 3 January 1906, Page 7

CHESS.

[Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, January 2. The following are details of the eighth round: Jowitt v. Barnes—Tho former won on the forty-second move. Grierson v. Mason —The latter held a better position at the midday adjournment. Edwards v. James—Edwards won on the thirtieth move. Kelling v. Rutherfurd. —Rutherfurd has the best of the game far. Miles v. Hummer—The former appears to have a winning position. Freeman v. Davies —Davies has worked up a strong attack, and he threatened to win a knight at the adjournment. At tho conclusion of the eighth round a very interesting stage was reached. James, who was leading, test his game against Mason, while Barnes appears to have a very comfortable game against Freeman. Mason and Grierson now tie for first place. At the chess tournament games in the ninth round were played off to-day, with the following results: — Edwards v. James (Sicilian Defence). —Edwards was early on attack, and at the twentyfhst move won rook for bishop with advantage of men and position. It was evident that victory was only a matter of time, and James resigned on the thirtieth move. Grierson v. Mason (Buy Lop'ez).—The game was closely contested up to the middle, when it was seen that Mason had superior development, having pawns well advanced in the centre. Grierson struggled hard for a time, but without effect, Mason being able to announce mate in two on the thirty-seventh move. Jowitt v. Barnes (Bird's Opening).—Jowitt made the attack throughout, but did not give his opponent any trouble until the middle of the game, when, by pretty combination, he got Barnes’ king into an awkward corner, and forced him to resign on the forty-second move. Miles v. Hummer (Buy Lopez).—Hummer from the outset had a cramped position, and ‘at no time looked dangerous.- Miles effected a very pretty mate on the fifth move. Freeman v. Davies (Two Knights Defence). —Davies secured a superior position in the middle of the game, and a few moves afterwards. won a knight. An ingenious end game came to a close on the sixty-second move, when Freeman resigned. Helling v. Rutherfurd (Centre Game). —The former tried a brilliancy game, but it had a flaw and cost him knight, Rutherfurd winning a long game of sixty-three moves. The position at the end of the ninth round

is as follows; — Won. Lost. Mason . . 7 2 Barnes . 6 3 Grierson . 6 3 Miles . Si ' 3 A J arues . Si 3i Edwards . ii 4 Rutherford . 3i 5i Jowitt . 3 0 Kummcr . . 3 ,6 Freeman • 2i 6i Kelling . 2A 6i