ERSKINE WINNER OF CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6803, 5 January 1929, Page 10

ERSKINE WINNER OF CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

Unbeaten in Tourney Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. The position of competitors -at the conclusion of the final round of the chess congress is:—

The Final Round

Severno v. Scott. —The Four Knights game was the selection of Severnc, but tbo opening merged into a variation of the King Lopez. Both players obtained satisfactory position and early exchanges of minor pieces left, the game very even . Later, with rook and queen play, Severno was able to win a pawn and Scott, to savo time and effort, resigned. Fairburn v. McCrea.—ln tho opening moves of this queen’s bishop gambit, there was little to choose between tbo two positions. In au advance of six pawns to restrict the movements of Fairburn's knights, McCrea gave his opponent a chance to attack and to establish a pawn stye ugly, at king's sixth. McCrea captured a pawn left unguarded by Fairburn and tho lattct offered a draw. This way accepted by McCrea, as he was pressed for time. Erskinc v. Hicks.—A queen’s pawn opening was played, which developed into the reti game. Hicks’ pawn centre was rather weak and in advancing a pawn to king’s fourth, a storm centre was created. The position was most intricate, Hicks defending very well until the twentieth move, when he left a rook to be pinned by the bishop, Erskinc winning the exchange. Erskinc played splendid chess, neatly exchanging pieces to his own advantage and winning a pawn. He challenged Hicks’ queen, at the same time threatening a checkmate. This forced tho exchange of queens. An attack by knight and rooks caused further exchanges and Hicks was left with a knight and four pawns against a Took and five pawns. Erskinc won a second pawn and Hicks, a few moves later, resigned. Gyles v. .Keeling.—This was a well played queen’s bishop gambit declined, [veiling threatened an attack with his queen and bishop, pinning a knight, but the exchanges caused a different line of play to be adopted. Gyles opened the king’s bishop file and with knight, bishop and rook, soon had Ivelling seeking safety. A very intricate position came about but Kclling lost a pawn and although he was able' to build up a fino defence for his king, he was forced to change off queens and rooks, leaving him with a difficult pawn ending. Gyles playing correctly was able, to force a pawn to the seventh rank, whereupon Kclling resigned.

Ersldno • «; s w. L. s :• I’ts. FJrskino v* »• . *• s — — s Gyles .. 7 .1 — 7 Sevorne 3 2 3 4 J . Rolling , , • V * * 3 3 2 4 Miller .. 4 4. — 4 Hicks .. .» . . 2 3 3 3 Jr I’airburn . . • • • • 2 5 i 2.i McOrca ,, , , — 5 3 .u Scott .. i 7 _ 1