CHESS CONGRESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19524, 31 December 1926, Page 14

CHESS CONGRESS.

NEW ZEALAND TOURNAMENT. FOURTH AND FIFTH ROUNDS. SOME INTERESTING CONTESTS. The New Zealand Chess Congress was continued yesterday morning and afternoon. The many spectators present included Mr. John Mason, M.P., for Napier, who was the Dominion champion in 1910. Play in the fourth round resulted as follows: Gyles v. 'Miller.—This was a Q,P. game, to which Miller played the Capablanca Defence and gained a pawn in the middle game. This Gyles recovered at a late? stage, but in an intricate pawn ending Gyles missed his way and Miller secured a win. •- •• - • Fen wick v. Dunlop.—Ruy Lopez,: Dunlop adopted Bird's defence, which eventuated in wholesale exchanges, Dunlop emerging with a pawn up. Dunlop, with six pawns, including one passed against Fenwick's five, had no difficulty in winning. ' Moir v. Burry.— Ruy Lopez, Steimtz attack: Moir worked up a hot attack and at one stage could have taken Burry's queen for nothing, but omitted to do so, the most amusing incident of the congress. However, the attack went on and Burry, making a hurried sealed move, left Moir with an easy win. Jones v. Pleasants.—Ruy Lopez: Jones gained an early advantage, bub later made an unfortunate blunder, whereby he lost queen for rook, and resigned without further play. Davies v. Roberts.—Sicilian Defence; Roberts soon allowed Davies to disorganise his pawn position, arid the latter attacked strongly, allowing Roberts to pick off a couple of pawns and a rook, allowing Davies to mate on the 25th move. Severno v. Bullock.—Four Knights Game: Severno won a pawn on the 19th move, and a hai'd struggle for position in the middle game ensued. Severne's pawn superiority won in the end' game. Erskino v. Fairburu.—Queen's Pawn Game: Fairburn attained a nice derangement of pawns, which failed against the regular queens' pawn formation adopted by; Erskimt.' "Fairburiv 'resigned 'on ' move 21, when the loss of his queen was inevitable. ' .

Fouhy and Kelling had a bye. Fouliy 'cannot "qualify for tlie final. Following were the positions, at the end of l'ound four: —• - SECTION A. Won. Lost. Davies ,v.,i r..- i.. 4 Severno !..• 2i- 1-i Koberts r.-.j .2.i * 1J Bullccrk i.. 22 Fouliy t. j 1 3 Hughes .. ' 4 SECTION B. Won. Lost. Dunlop ..1, 3} . i •' Erskine ~i .. i,. 3 1 •" Pleasants 2| 11 Fairburn 22 Jones •' i.. 1 3 : Femvlck' . ■..;. ~.. — 4 . : SECTION C. " Won.' ■ Lost. Moir ?..• (..• i.. 2 1 Miller -. 4 , [.,■ 2 1 -.Gyles. t..i II 21 Kelling.' .. .. . . 31 li Burry , r..< . 1 2 AU competitors except Gyles have each one game to play. Play last evening in round five resulted as follows: — Roberts v. Bullock.—Queen's , Pawn : Roberts is two pawns., up. : . Fouhy ,v. JDavies.—Queen's Pawn: Davies lost a piece early in the game, overlooking a check. • ■ , Fairburn v. Jones. —Queen's Gambit Declined : Fairburn drew and placed himself in the final section. Pleasants v. Dunlop.—Centre Counter: Dunlop developed a terrific attack and won. brilliantly. Burry v. Kelling.-—Caro Can Defence: An interesting game, in which Kelling is two pawns to the good. Erskine v. Femviek.—Zukertort Opening:- Well played game, which Erskine won.

Miller v. Moir.—Queen's Pawn: Moir won exchange and won an accurately played end game.