CHESS CONGRESS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 30, 4 January 1927, Page 11

CHESS CONGRESS.

FINAL STAGES REACHED.

Per Press Association

AUCKLAND, Jan. 2. Great interest is being taken in the chess congress, ns shown by the large number of spectators, among whom were Messrs. It. H. Abbott (president of the New Zealand Chess Association), Mr John Mason, M.P. (exchampion of the Dominion), and Mr Ewbank (president of the Cambridge University Chess Club). Greetings were received from Mr Spencer Crakenthorn, of Manly, New South Wales, Australian chess champion, and others. The visiting players and others were taken for a drive to the Titirangi ranges, and r.ll enjoyed the beautiful scenery and mountain air after their week of strenuous play. The results in the first round of the final are:—Bullock won from Moir; Davies worn from Kelling; Gyles won from Fail-burn; Dunlop won from Miller ; Erskine won from Roberts; Severne and Pleasants drew. The second round of the final resulted :—Dunlop won from Bullock; Roberts won from Fairburn; Erskine won from Kelling; Gyles drew with Severne; Pleasants drew with Moir. In the Davies and Miller game Davies was unable to play and the game was put off to another time. THJJP ROUND. Fairburn v. Se verne (Queen’s Pawn Game).—-This was an even game up to an exchange of pieces, when Fairburn, in playing to avoid a draw, lost an exchange and resigned. Dunlop v. Davies (Queen’s Pawn Game). —This contest proceeded on irregular lines. Dunlop gained a temporary attack which Davies was able to repulse. The game is, however, adjourned in an even position. Kelling v. Roberts (Sicilian Defence) —Roberts emerged from the opening with a cramped game and had to give up a bishop for a rook and two pawns. Later on he lost an exchange and resigned a hopeless game. Gyles v. Moir (Vienna Game). — Pleasants lost a pawn in the opening but had Gyle|s 'queen hemmed in on the queen’s side. Moir pressed the attack on the king side and Pleasants resigned on the thirty-third move when a mate was unavoidable.

Miller v. Erskine (Centre Counter). —Erskine adopted an. old variation, giving Miller an attack, but Epskine survived the attack and won a piece and the game. Pleasants v. Bullock (Ruy Lopez).—

A very even game. Pleasants later won a pawn, and exchanges have reduced tn& material to rook and pawns each, in which position the game stands over.

FOURTH ROUND

Davies v. Fairburn (Sicilian Defence). —Both players approached the middle game cautiously, until Davies obtained a passed pawn with a good position. Severne v. Dunlop (French Defence) —This game was played on orthodox lines until a slaughter of pieces took plaoe, in which Severne lost a pawn, and the position is that Severne has a knight and three pawns against a bishop and four pawns. Roberts v. Moir (Queen’s Pawn). — This became a queen gambit, in which queens and rooks were exchanged. The position became a little blocked, and Moir offered a draw, which Roberts accepted. Bullock v. Kelling (Scotch Game). — A good fight, in which Bullock gave up a rook for a bishop and three pawns. The position stands adjourned in a highly interesting state. Pleasants v. Miller (French Defence). —A very even game, in which Miller has exchanged two knights for two bishops, and the game»is adjourned in an interesting position. Erskine v. Gyles (Queen’s Gambit Defence). —Erskine made a rash attack, and gave up a rook for bishop and two pawns. Erskine prevented Gyles casting, and eventually wort a piece, and Gyles resigned at move 39. The position of the finalists is as follow: Davies, won 4, lost 0; Dunlop, 4i, J; Erskine, 6,1.; Gyles, 4,3; Severne, 3J, 2£; Moir, 3,3; Roberts, 3,4; Kelling, 2,3); Pleasants, 1); 4J; Miller, 1,3: Bullock, 1,4; Fairburn, 1, 6.