CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14565, 30 December 1910, Page 6

CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP.

RESULT OF FIFTH ROUND. W. E. MASON IN FIRST PLACE. Tbt telegraph.—press ASSOCIATION.] Timab.it, Thursday. The fifth round of the chess championship was commenced to-day. Hides v. G. Mason (Ruy Lopes) : Mason defended on Steinitz's favourite plan, but gained no advantage till the real struggle commenced, when Hicks played weakly, allowing Mason to ©core a win on the 25th move. Davies v. W. E. Mason (Queen's Gambit Declined) : Declining to accept any gambit, Mason adopted the French defence and the game followed book lines for a while. Equal pieces and almost identical positions remained at the adjournment hour. On resuming, Davies appeared to gain a strategic advantage, but Mason desired no more than a draw to secure first position, and never allowed that chance to slip. Interesting sound play on l>oth sides resulted in a draw. Barnes v. Grierson (Ruy Lopez) : This game quickly reached maturity, with Barnes a passed pawn up and a hazardous position for black. Grierson playing this, as all his former games, below his standard, collapsed on the 29th move. Dunlop v. Beck (King's Gambit): By playing an unorthodox defence Beck avoided for a time the danger which this opening noted, and obtained an attack. To avoid perpetual check or mate or move Dunlop sacrificed queen for rook and bishop, subsequently gaining another piece, and won on the 30th move. Gyles v. Fox (Scotch Gambit) : Gyles outplayed his opponent for a piece in th© open game, and prevented co-operation of the rook, while keeping strong pressure on the king's citadel. Gyles failed to make the most of his advantage, and reached the end game with isolated pawns and bishop against unobstructed pawns in combination. Correct play should have secured Fox the victory, but end game play was not his strong point. He could only draw. The scores at the conclusion of the fifth round were :■ —■ . Won. Lost. W. E. Mason 44 i '•Davies 4 1 *(Jyles 2 1 -Dun-lop 5 1 -Mara '?■ 2 The Rev. Fox ... 22 J. Mason 22 Hicks li 3i *Barnes ■•• li 2 2 Beck ... ' 0 4 (irierfon 0 5 'Each had a bye. The game Barnes v. J Mason is unfinished.