THE CHESS CONGRESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9080, 5 January 1893, Page 5

THE CHESS CONGRESS.

MR. SIEDEBERG TO WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP. fBT TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Christchurch, Wednesday. The eighth round of the Champion Chess tourney was played to-day. Mr. Sexton played Bird's opening against Mr. Mflner. On the 15th move he won a pawn. On the 33rd move Mr, Milner overlooked an opportunity of regaining his lost pawn. On the 38th move, however, the Christcharch player recovered his pawn, but at the expense of his position. From this point Mr. Sexton practically forced the game, and his opponent resigned on the 44th move. Mr. Wood adopted the Guioco piano in his game with Mr. Siedeberg. His 9th move was weak, and allowed the Duneain player to obtain a better position. Two moves later Mr. Wood made an oversight which lost him a piece, and gave him a very inferior game. On the 13th move he again played weakly, and consequently Mr. Siedeberg won a second piece on the 17th move. The Christchurch man recognising that his game was hopeless, resigned on the 21st move. The game was finished in under an hour and a-half. In his game with Mr. Barnes Mr. Cleland offered the queen's gambit which was accepted. Mr. Barnes* ninth move was weak and allowed his opponent to institute a very strong attack, which was carried out with great force and vigour. Mr. Barnes made as stubborn a defence as was possible under the circumstances, but finally had to resign on the 42nd move.

Mr. Jowitt played Guioco Piano against Mr. Hookham. The game was very even till the 17th move, when Mr. Hookham made a weak move, which allowed Mr. Jowitt to obtain a better position. The Auckland player gradually developed a strong attack, and at the 32nd move prepared for breaking his adversary's position by advancing his K Kt P. Mr. Hookham's 35th movethe sealed move at the evening adjournment—was a mistake, and enabled Mr. Jowitt to effect a breach at the 39th move. The latter could have effected a very pretty mate in six moves, but overlooked it. Again, on the 43rd move, he overlooked a mate. On the move, however, after the break-up of position, Mr. Jowitt had two rooks and two pawns to his opponent's one rook. Mr. Hookham played an uphill game very skilfully and with great determination, but Mr. Jowitt played very carefully, and never stave an opening, and on the 74th move Mr. Hookham resigned. In the game with Mr. Tait, Mr. Eyre offered Evans Gambit, which was accepted. The Wellington player defended himself carefully, but rather weakened his position, and allowed Mr. Eyre to plant his rook in a very strong position. On the 27th move Mr. Eyre blocked his own rook, the result being that he lost the exchange, and on the 32nd more the players agreed upon a draw. Mr. Sieaeberg must win first place, as he has won seven games and drawn one. The second and third places lie between Mr. Hookham, with five won, two lost, and one drawn ; Mr. Barnes, with five won, and three lost; and Mr. Eyre, with four won, three lost, and one drawn. ■- - ,