NEW ZEALAND CHESS CONGRESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9711, 5 January 1895, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND CHESS CONGRESS.

[by TELEGRAPH. —press association.] Wellington, Friday. This morning Barraud opened against Pleasants with the Ruy Lopez, and had a very promising attack. Cocks had the move against Hookham, and again played a stonewall opening. He had a slightly superior position to his antagonist. A queen's pawn game was played against Lelievre by Gifford, The former managed to obtain the attack by which Gifford was thrown wholly on the defensive. Edwards adopted his old favourite opening—the Zukertort against Mackay. At the luncheon adjournment Edwards was conducting a fictitious attack, but Mackay's position was preferable, and he won the exchange. Shortly after the resumption of play this afternoon, Mackay won a further exchange against Edwards, and a few moves later he queened a pawn and won. Lelievre won from Gifford. In . the game Cocks v. Hookham, the former endeavoured to force an advantage by exchanging queens, but failed, and the game was drawn. Barraud won from Pleasants, owing to a premature move on the part of the latter, who had an undoubted win. Wood and Hookham decided to start their game to-night. The opening was the King's Knight, and at half-past nine Hookham had the advantage in position and all the attack.

Cocks' games are all finished; Burns has to meet Edwards and Gifford; Mackay has to meet Lelievre; Edwards has to meet Burns and Wood; Hookham has to meet Barraud. It is expected the Championship will be decided on Monday morning. At a meeting of delegates to the Chess Association the following officers were

elected .—President, Sir Robert Stoat; vicepresidents, Messrs. Bryce ana Benbow (Wellington), Judge Denniston and. Mr Hookham (Canterbury), Drs. Stenhouse ana Pitchett (Otago); secretary and treasurer, Mr. H. C. Skeet (Wellington). The vicepresidents for Auckland were not elected, pending a communication from the club there. It was decided the next Congress should be held at Wanganui, but whether at Christmas or Easter was left to the affiliated clubs to decide.

The leading scores are as follow Won. Lost. Cocks 7* ... 31 Mackay ... 7 ... 3 Burns ... ... 6 ..." 3 Lelievre... 6 ... 3 Edwards 5 ... 4 Gifford ... 51 3J Hookham ... ... 4 ... 4 Pleasants . r ... 4 5