CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15503, 9 January 1914, Page 9

CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP.

NEARING THE CONCLUSION.

THREE PLAYERS LEADING.

The 12th round of the chess tournament was played yesterday. The pairs and debuts were as follows:—Barnes v. Griers«n (Quern's Gambit Declined); Dodds v. Myers (Queen's Knight's Opening); Gyles v. Wingtield (Ruy Lopez); Hicks v. | Severne (Uiuueo Piano) ; James v. Stewart (Queen's Gambit Declined); Kelling v. levies (Queen's Gambit, bin's CounterGambit) ; Mason v. -Miles (Queen's Gambit Declined). Moore has the bye. 'I he details of the games are as follows :-- Gyles v. Wingfield: Wingfield adopted '.lie Berlin Defence to the Lopez. Gyles introduced a nice trap, suggested by Steinitz and improved by Lasker, which caused Wingfield to lose his queen for a rook. Despite all efforts at recovery, Wingfield lost after 26 moves. Kelling v. Davies: Kelling lost a knight in the opening and a bishop soon after. Davies drove his king into a confined situation, and threatened mate. Kelling resigned after 43 moves. Dodds v Myers: Myers lost time in the opening, and in consequence had a cramped game. Dodds initiated an attack on the king's side, and pushed it so vigorously that he eventually got a pawn posted at KtT. Myers then gave up rook for pawn, and soon afterwards resigned. Hicks v. Severne: Hicks adopted the P to QBS continuation of the GiuocoPiano, and after attacking his opponent vigorously effected a pretty combination, and brought off a "pure'' mate in the middle of the board at the 22nd move. Hicks gave the onlookers a glimpse of his lust year's form. This was about the prettiest game in the tourney so far. James v. Stewart; The first half of tho, game consisted of a number of ineffectual sorties, and some exchanges. For the rest the players built up a strong wall of pawns, and having bishops of opposite colours, in addition to queen and two rooks each, they looked over the- wall at each other, and each did a pas seul. When they got tired of this, they agreed to a draw.

Barnes v. Grierson : Barnes worked up a powerful attack on Grierson, who had castled on the queer's side, but he missed the best continuation, and allowed a series of exchanges, which relieved the tension. In the ending each had king rook and four pawns, but Barnes had the better position, and secured his opponent resignation on the 54th move. Mason v. Miles : A long and obstinate struggle, left each player with a knight and four pawns. Mason gave up his knight for two pawns, and .Miles was unable to stop one of the pawns. He, therefore, resigned. V Both these games lasted till fairly late i i the evening. After this Mason had to finish his game against Grierson, which was adjourned in the 11th round. Grierson v. Mason (Buy Lopez) : Both castled on the king's side. A long series of manoeuvres ensued, with the object of breaking through. This led to exchanges, leaving each with queen and two rooks, and an equal number of pawns. Further exchanges left a rook and two pawns each. Iho position being even a draw was agreed to at the 66th move. This was a long and stubborn fight. The position of players is now as follows :—

Games Wins. Draws. Losses to play. Davios ... 7 2 2 3 Barnes ... 7 2 2 3 Mason ... 7 2 2 3 Selling ... 7 l 3 3 Miles ... 6 3 2 3 Stewart ... 6 2 3 3 Gyles ... 6 4 2 2 Dodds ... 7 0 6 '2 Hoverne ... 3 3 5 3 Grierson ... 3 2 6 3 Myers ... 3 2 6 3 Wingfield.... 4 0 7 3 Hicks 2 0 9 3 James ... 2 2 8 2 Moore ... 1 1 9 3 All arrears have been overtaken.