CHESS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 29 December 1926, Page 9

CHESS

NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIP

'United Preoa Aneoolatlon.)

AUCKLAND, 27th Dec,

Play commenced to-night fen: the New Zealand chess championship, with 17 competitors divided into three sections. Two sessions, each of three hours ,are allowed for each game. The result of the first session's play is as follows:

Section A. f

Roberts v. Severne (Queen's Gambit declined): A steady game, in which Roberts blocked Scverne's attack, leaving the game in an even position. Davies v. Hughes (Sicilian defence): Davies has a slight attack on the king side. The game stands adjourned in an interesting position. Bullock v. B'ouhy (French defence): After a series of exchanges, Bullock won a pawn. Keeping up the pressure, he gained another pawn, and eventually won. v

Section B. Pleasants v. Fcnwick (Sicilian defence) : Fenwick lost an exchange early with a bad position, and the game is adjourned much in Pleasants's favour.. Jones v. Erskine (Sicilian defence): Adjourned at move 28 with even position and material.

Dunlop v. Fairburn (French defence): An even game until Dunlop gained the exchange and strong attack, causing Fairburn to lose several pawns, when the latter resigned. Section C. Moir v. Gyles (Queen's Gambit declined): Very careful play on both sides left the game adjourned in an even position. . ' Kclling v.. Miller (French defence): Miller went at Helling like adion, but lie soon came to grief, and struggled on with inferior positon and material, but bad tp resign on move 39, Burry has a, bye. AUCKLAND, 28th Dec. The chess games were continued this morning with the following results:—

First Round

Roberts v. Severne.—Jtoberts successfully defended and a draw resulted. Davies v. Hughes,—Huglies resigned early after resumption, the loss of a rook being inevitable.

Pleasants v. Fenwick.—Pleasants won early after resumption.

Jones v. Erskine. —Another Sicilian defence, which is very even. Erskine has a pawn to the good, but the bishops are of opposite colour and a draw is the obvious result.

Moir v. Gyles.—Queen's Gambit tie clined, a draw heing agreed to. Second Round.

The draw in" Round 2, which commences this afternoon, is:—Severne v. Davies; Fnuhy v. Roberts; Hughes v. Bullock; Fenwick v. Jones; Fairburn v. Pleasants; Erskine v. Dunlop; Miller v. Murphy; Gyles v. Kelling; Moir has a bye . - 1