THE CHESS CONGRESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9402, 8 January 1894, Page 5

THE CHESS CONGRESS.

EDWARDS THE CHAMPION. [m TELEGRAPH.— PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Dunedin, Sunday. Great interest was taken in the game at the Chess Congress between Edwards and Hookham, as. the winner must be the champion, and the loser unplaced, while a draw would result in Barnes being champion. Edwards had the first move, and led off with the only opening he has adopted during the Congress—the Zukercorr. A very exciting game resulted. At several points of the game Hookham had the advantage, which Edwards succeeded in neutralising. After several hours' play Hookham moved his king to B6 instead of Q(i, therefore losing what must otherwise have been a drawn game. Edwards is thus champion, with 7£ wins to 2£ losses. Barnes, Brown, and Cleland won 7 to 3 losses each ; Hookham, 6J to 3J losses ; Lelievre, 6 wins to 4 losses ; Barton, 5 to 5 ; Mellor, 4 to 6 ; Mouat, 3 to 7 ; Pleasants, 2i to 7£ ; Smith, Ito 9. The players were entertained at a smoke concert by the Dunedin Chess Club.

Ac the Chess Congress on the final day Cleland offered Smith Evans' gambit, which was declined. Cleland gob a strong attack, and won on the 34th move. Brown opened with the Ruy Lopez against Mellor. The latter won a pawn at the 11th move, but Brown getting a strong attack, and Mellor losing a piece accidentally, he resigned on the 28th move. Lelievre defended feebly against Mouatt's opening, the Scotch gambit. Lelievre resigned on the 56th move. Borton offered Pleasants the Allegaier gambit, which was accepted. An even and interesting game followed, till at thelSth move Borton captained the queen's rook, and got a strong attaok, which forced Pleasants to resign on the 23rd move.