CHESS CONGRESS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 31 December 1938, Page 2

CHESS CONGRESS

McNABB AND DUNLOP LEAD PLAY IN SIXTH AND SEVENTH ROUNDS WADE LEADS IN PREMIER • RESERVE WANGANUI, 30th December. With several games adjourned in the sixth and seventh rounds of the New Zealand chess championship, J. B. Dunlop (Dunedin) and H. McNabb (Nelson) are leading, each with four and a half points. D. I. Jones and F. K_ Kelling (Wellington) are next with four points. R. O. Scott (Wanganui), who has scored three points, has two unfiished games and Kelling has one uncompleted. In the premier reserve tourney R. G. Wade is leading with six and a half points and N. Cromarty (Wanganui) is next with five. The severe earthquake in the afternoon severely shook the hall in which the congress is being held ana the players were allowed to stop their clocks for five minutes in order to get over their nervousness. Results are:— SIXTH ROUND W. J. Fairburn (Wellington) v. D. i. Jones (Auckland); Queen’s pawn opening. Defending in orthdox fashion, Jones gained a pawn in the middle game. After a series of exchanges he was left with another pawn to the good, Fairburn resigning at move 41 when it w’as impossible to stop Jones queening a pawn. C. J. Taylor (Auckland) v. D. Lynch (Hastings): Ruy Lopez. White attacked with vigour and some nice combination play was witnessed, but Taylor’s tactics were more enterprising than sound and he was finally left with a piece down and eventually resigned. H. McNabb (Nelson) V. F. K. Kelling (Wellington). Heti opening. It was an even game generally, but for a time Kelling was cramped. He worked free eventually and when the adjournment was taken each player had a queen, bishop and rook, but Kelling was two pawns to the good. An ugly attack is possible on his position, however, and both players will have to handle the tricky position carefully. E. Rutherfurd (Stratford) v. J. A. Erskine (Invercargill): Queen’s pawn opening, Indian defence. In the middle game Erskine made avigorous attack and at move 35 was threatening mate in three. Rutherfurd gave up a piece to stave off the end, resigning at move 38. E. H. Severene (Wellington) v. J. B. Dunlop (Dunedin): Alekhine defence. A blocked position was reached in the middle game. Dunlop endeavoured to break through and all the pieces were exchanged except bishops of the same colour and a draw was agreed to. R. O. Scott (Wagnanui) v. E. J. Dyer (Wellington). Queen's Pawn, colle system. A hard fight resulted, the game being adjourned with even positions. D. Heenan (Hastings) v. G. Cole (Nelson): Queen’s pawn opening. This was adjourned with each player about equal. SEVENTH ROUND

f Erskine v. Fairburn: Queen’s gambit declined. This was a featureless game e with a blocked position, which it was 1 through, a draw being agreed to, at 1 move 30. e Lynch v. Severene: Budapest coun- - tergambit. The development was even -in the opening and middle game, but 1 !as neither contestant was willing to ~ take risks a draw was decided at move : 22. 1 j Dyer v. Heenan: Queen's pawn open- ■ ing. This was also an even game and r a draw was agreed upon after three ■! hours’ play. s ; Jones v. Taylor: Queen’s gambit de--1 dined. Taylor defended in orthodox 1 j style and subsequently developed an 2 ! isolated pawn, which was well block--1 | aded. In the end both players had per- ■ petual check, neither being in a posi- ’ tion to try for a win and a draw was s decided on at move 34. } Dunlop v. Scott: Sicilian . defence. There was no outstanding feature in the contest, but at times the game was tricky and at move 56 a draw was ! agreed upon. Cole v. McNabb: Queen’s pawn opening. It was an even game most of the way and though Cole was a pawn up the aggressive rooks of McNabb compensated for the advantage. Finally a I black pawn reached the seventh ranx . and at move 41 McNabb announced mate in two mid won. ( Kelling v. Rutherfurd: French defence. A tight game was adjourned i with Kelling a pawn up, but a great deal of play was left and whether Kcll- ! ing can take advantage of the position ’ 1 remains to be seen in the end game. PREMIER RESERVE 1 Sixth round. —Cromarty beat Aisia- ' bie. Meads tNelson) beat Dobson. Smith • ' beat Spech, Wade beat Christensen, r ! Whitlock v. Beach unplayed. * | Seventh round.—Aislabic beat Dob--1 son, Meads <Nelson) drew with Speck. Smith drew with Christensen. Wade ' drew with Whitlock. Beach v. Cromarty : I unfinished.