NEW LAND CHESS CONGRESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8767, 6 January 1892, Page 5

NEW LAND CHESS CONGRESS.

As the Chess Congress is drawing to a close great-interest is being manifested in the various games. Yesterday's contests have an important bearing on the final result, and were eagerly watched by the numerous visitors to the club room. The competitors were opposed to each other as follows :— Sicdeberg v. Malcolm, Hookham v. Trimble, Littiejohn v. Barnes, Bakewell v. Ashtou, Jowitt a bye. Mr. Malcolm adopted the French defence in his game against Mr. .Sicdeberg. The former's sixth move was weak, and his opponent immediately taking advantage of it obtained a crushing attack, winning the exchange, and on the 25th move a clear piece, which left him a rook to the good. Mr. Malcolm, seeing his game, was hopeless, thereupon resigned. This game only lusted lhr 40mins. Mr. Hookham played the Ruy Lopez against Mr. Trimble, but carrying on his attack indifferently he allowed the latter, who played the early part of the game with good judgment, to acquire, about the 15th move, the preferable game. Later on Mr. Trimble inadvertently lost a knight, together with all his previously gained advantage in position. Losing another piece still later, further resistance became hopeless, and Mr. Trimble resigned on his 41st j move. The encounter between Messrs. Littiejohn and Barnes resolved itself into a three knights' game, and was very evenly contested up to the ."'3rd move, when Mr. Barnes had perhaps a trifle the advantage, having a queen, knight, and five pawns against a queen, bishop, and five pawns, the position rendering the knight preferable to the bishop. At the 34th move black ventured on an unsound counter attack, which allowed white to come out with a pawn ahead. Eventually Mr. Barnes lost his knight, and resigned at the 54th move. Two hours and a-half were occupied by each player Mr. Bakewell played the Zukertort opening Kb to KB3 against Mr. Ashtou. The game was very indifferently played on both sides. On the 22nd Mr. Asnton gained a pawn, but failed to follow up his advantage, and allowed his opponent to regain the pawn on the 30th move. Mr. Bakewell gradually obtained the superior position, and Mr. Ashton resigned on the 44th move. As Mr. Hookham intends leaving for the South by the s.s. Manapouri on Thursday, arrangements have been made whereby he will be enabled to get through his games in advance of the fixed order of play. Accordingly he and Mr. Jowitt encountered each other at half-past seven last evening. Mr. Hookham had tho move, and played the Ruy Lopez, his favourite opening. The game has proceeded to the 25th move, and the position is fairly even. The game will be continued this evening, after the day's ordinary fixtures have been disposed of.