CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20761, 2 January 1931, Page 13

CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP.

SEVEN ROUNDS COMPLETED. POSITION OF THE PLAYERS. [I3Y TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] ROTORUA, Thursday. Tho fifth round of tho New Zealand chess championship tourney resulted:— Gyles defeated Herbert, Greenfield defeated Griorson, Severne v. Erskine, a draw; Miller defeated Maddox, Kelling defeated Pleasants, Kummer defeated Fairburn. Tho result of the sixth round was:— Greenfield defeated Fairburn, Kelling defeated Miller, Pleasants dofeated Kummer, Gyles defeated Severno, Grierson defeated Herbert. Erskine v. Maddox, a draw. Details of play in the seventh round aro:— Fairburn v. Grierson.—This was a Queen's Gambit declined opening, itl which Fairbtrm secured the open bishop's file for tho queen and doubled rooks. In the exchanges Fairburn, to his disadvantage, captured with a rook- instead of pawn. Grierson queened a pawn and gained the victory. Kelling v. Erskine.—A somewhat free Sicilian game, Kelling soon getting a good attack. A very sparkling gamo resulted from this and Kelling was able to win thrco pawns. Erskino failed to avoid a trap set by Celling for tho changing of queens and thereafter tho latter player held tho upp.r hand and scored a wellearned win. Severno v. Herbert.—Tho_ Caro Ivann defence was playod and positions seemed oven until Eeverno built up an attack along tho l ing's open file. Herbert's rooks were badly placed for defence and Severno thre;.:ened to pin his queen with a rook. Herbert was unablo to provide an adequate and resigned. Greenfield v. Pleasants.—An irregular oponing was played, in which Greenfield seemed to gei a more mobile combination. Pleasants, by frequent exchanges, prevented the setting up of any extensive attack. Pleasants' weakor pawn position gave Greenfield play for his queen and rooks, and he forced Pleasants to resign. Maddox v. Gyles.—ln tho opening Gyles made a weak move from a threatened mate end Maddox was able to fork his queen and bishop, capturing tho minor piece for nothing. By a rapid advance of th<% bishop's pawn Maddox broko up Gyles' position completely and won tho exchange. Maddox continued brilliantly and, threatening further exchanges, forced Gyles' resignation. Kummer v. Miller.—Tho French game was played, unique pawn diagonals resulting, with kings castled on tho opposite sides. Miller pushed forward his king side pawn, supportod by rooks. He failed to find tho right continuation and Kuminer launched an attack that turned the tables. Tho end was hastened by Miller allowing a discovered check to win his rook.

Tho position after tho seventh round is as follows:—Greenfield, 5 wins, 0 draws, 2 losses, 5 points; Gyles, 5, 0, 2—5; Kelling, 5, 0, 2—5; Severne, 4, 2, I—s; Erskino, 4, 1, I—4£ Maddox, 3, 2, I—4; Gricrson, 3, 0, 4—3; Kutnmer, 2, 1, 4—2£; Miller, 2, 1, 4—2J; Pleasants, 2, 1, 4 Fairburn, 2, 0, 5—2.