CHESS TOURNAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19832, 30 December 1927, Page 10

CHESS TOURNAMENT.

FIFTH ROUND REACHED. DAVIES STILL UNBEATEN. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday. The Dominion championship tourney was continued to-day. During the afternoon 'play the spectators included two daughters of the late Mr. Henry Hookham, New Zealand's, first chess champion. Details of the play on tho conclusion of the fourth round are:— Neville v. McDermid (Ruy Lopez).— Neville followed the book to the tenth move when he won a pawn. Exchanges took place rapidly, and the game was interesting and full of good play. Neither player could force an advantage sufficient to win, and a draw resulted. Davies v. Fairburn- (Vienna Game). — Fairburn played an attacking game, but Davies played a careful defensive game and Fairburn could make no impression. His attack failed when Davies launched his attack and brought the game to a successful issue.

Fisher v. Severnc (Guioco Piano). —The slight advantage Severne had at 'the adjournment was increased by tho win of another pawn. Several pieces became exchanged, leaving Severne with two passed pawns. After this it was a question of time and Fisher retired at move 51. The positions of the players at the end of the fourth round wero:—Davies, 4 wins, no losses; Kelling, 3 wins (one to play); Severne, 2£ wins, half loss (one to play); Neville, wins, 1£ losses; Friberg, 2 wins, 1 loss (one to play); McDermid, 2 wins, 2 losses; Fairburn, 1 win, 3 losses; Summers, 1 win, 3 losses; Fisher. 3 losses (one to play); Joyce, 4 losses. Play in the fifth round resulted: — Joyce v. Kelling (Caro Kann Defence). —The opening .was played on unusual lines. Kelling made a slip in the middle game, overlooking a check, which cost him two pieces. Later on he made up some of the lost ground, but in tho end game lie had to stem an advance of three connected passed pawns. His game seemed hopeless, but in the final stage he was very fortunate in getting a stalemate, the game thus ending tu a draw.

Neville v. Fisher.—An irregular opening, in which both players have oxchanged pieces freely, The adjournment arrived with the position about even. McDermid v. Summers (Queen's Gambit Declined).—Summers played several in different moves in the early stages and his position became extremely difficult. McDermid played energetically and obtained groat superiority in position. He weakened, however, and Summers had a great, chance, but did not avail himself of it. McDermid eventually won on Iho 44th move. Davies v. Severne (Queen's Gambit Declined). —Tin game developed on modern lines and when the middle game waa reached Davies sacrificed a pawn for a Smash-un and some interesting plnv pn sued. The position at the adjournment was about even. Friberg v. Fail-burn. —A Queen's Pawn game: Friberg obtained a forced win at move 25.