CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14568, 3 January 1911, Page 6

CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP.

TENTH ROUND COMMENCED

,W. E. MASON LEADING.;

.— PHESS ASSOCIATION.]

Timatiu, Monday. Tins ninth round of the chess championship was continued today. Gyles v. J. Mason (Caro Kalm Defence) : Gyles soon got to the attack with promising chances, but Mason's 17th move was a strong one, turning the attack in his favour. Gyles took risks in castling, though any other movo was not free from danger. With two pawns up at the adjournment, Gyles had improved his defence. Mason recovered his lost forces on resuming, and won on the 32nd move.

Fox v. W. E. Mason (Queen's Pawn Opening) : Both players developed carefully, and at the 23rd move forces were oven, Mason's position being slightly preferable. Here Mason let two pawns go for the attack, but his 26th move was a time-waster. Mason pushed his attack and won a good game. Beck v. 'Grierson (Switch game): Beck secured the better development with pawn tip, but was tempted to capture an unprotected pawn, which cost him a rook by forced check. Then Grierson soon forced a win, announcing mate in three on the 26th move.

■ Mara v. Barnes (Kuy Lopez): Barnes played Bird's defence and obtained a free development without upsetting the balance of his forces. Mara played carefully, and secured a pawn. Barnes lost other pieces and resigned. Dunlop v. Hicks (Irregular): A brisk encounter at. the initial stage landed Danlop in a winning position after trapping Hicks's queen on the 16th move. Here Hicks uncovered an attack on the queen from which Dunlop ought to have freed himself with rook up. Instead he exchanged the queen for rook, thinking to win an attacked knight as well, but overlooked mate in two, and resigned on tho 19th move. Davies a bye. The scores at the conclusion of the ninth round were :— Won. Lost. W. E. Mason 7 1 Davies 6 2 J. Mason ... 6 3 Mara $1 2\ Dunlop 5 3 Hicks 44 4J Gyles 4 4 Barnes 3 5 Fox ... 3 5 Grierson 1 7 Beck 0 8 In the tenth round W. E. Mason beat Gyles, Barnes beat Beck, Mara lost to Davis, and the other games are unfinished.