CHESS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 769, 26 November 1886, Page 5

CHESS.

All communications for this department must be addressed to the Chess Editor, Mr C. W. Benbow. 26/11/86. A.G. (Baltimore); H.F.L.M. (London) ; J.W. (Leeds) ; W.H.L. (Newport) ; H.H. (Christchurch) —Thanks for newspapers, etc. R.J.D. (Clyde)—Your proposed solution to Problem No. 750 fails if Black plays for his first move R to Q 8. - Ingenious as your attempt was, the actual solution is much finer, as you will see. J.S. (Sandon) —You will like the solution to Problem No. 750. It is very good indeed.

SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS. No. 749 (Edward Samuell). 1 Q to R 6 1 Any move 2 Mates accordingly Solved by J. J.M. (Christchurch); O.P.Q. (Foxton) ‘ A- very creditable performance (81)’; A.L.T. (Wanganui) ; E.S. (Carterton) ; J.S. (Sandon) ‘A very good conception (8J)’; M.R. (Taranaki); T.E. (Picton); T.S. (Pahiatua) • The idea is neatly carried out. _ The composer seems to have a liking for placing the White Rooks en prize. The two previous positions were very similar D.T.C. (Blenheim) and R.J.D. (Clyde) ‘A very good two-mover, with plenty of variations wholly free from dualistic defects (83j)\ An attractive position, and difficulty of solution is quite up to the average (8). No. 750 (Fr. Koutnik). 1 Kt to Q 3 1 K x R (a) 2QxB 2 K x Q 3 B to Kt 7 mate (a) 1 B x R 2 Q to Kt 8 (ch) 2 K to B 3 3 Q to B 4 mate Solved by A.L.T. (Wanganui) and T.S. (Pahiatua) ‘A very fine problem ; the sacrifices are finely carried out (9). A brilliant and difficult composition (9).

PROBLEM No. 761. By J. C. J. Wainwright (Minneapolis). Awarded first prize in the two move section of the ‘Baltimore Sunday Times’ Problem Tourney.

Black.

White.

White to play and mate in two moves.

PROBLEM No. 762. By Edward Samuell (Carterton)

Black.

White,

White to play and sui mate in six moves.

CHESS IN LONDON.

After the completion of the Nottingham Chess Congress a match was arranged between Captain Mackenzie and Mr A. Burn, the winner of the first five games to be the victor. The London correspondentof the ‘ International Chess Magazine ’ writes “ The Captain led off in good style and won the first four games •hands down.’ - His play in all of them was simply magnificent, no other word can properly describe it. His tactics were bold, his combinations sound, and his sacrifices brilliant. Indeed, I believe, the whole four games are hardly surpassed by any match games extant. Burn played in good style, and his defensive manoeuvres were at times admirable; but they could not avail against the gallant Captain’s sweeping forces. At the conclusion of these four games, however, * a change came o’er the spirit of his dreams;’ and Mackenzie’s style of play fell off. Timidity and tameness held sway, where boldness and brilliancy had lately reigned, and vacillation and weakness took the place of promptitude and energy.” The contest eventually terminated_ in a draw, with the scores : Burn 4, Mackenzie 4, drawn 2. Burn in this, and in his previous match with Bird, has proved himself to be made of that stern stuff which fits a great player to be also a winner of great matches. The following is the second game in the match with abbreviated notes from the 1 International ’: —

Ruy Lopez.

White Black. (Capt. Mackenzie). (A. Burn). 1 P to K 4 1 P to K 4 2 Kt to K B 3 2 Kt to Q B 3 3 B to Kt 5 3 P to Q R 3 4 B to R 4 4 K Kt to K 2 SPtoQ4 5 P x P 6 Kt x P 6 Kt x Kt 7 Q x Kt 7 P to Q Kt 4 8 B to Kt 3 8 P to Q 3 9 P to Q B 3 9 B to K 3 10 B to Kt 5 10 PtoQB4 11 Q to K 3 11 P to B 5 Here we would reserve the advance of the Q B P which at present commands the adverse Q 4 sq, and prevents the entrance of one of the hostile pieces. As will be seen, the White Knight is planted on that post in a menacing manner later on. 12 B to B 2 12 P to B 3 An error of judgment, P to K R 3 is better. 13 B to B 4 13 Kt to Kt 3 14 B to K Kt 3 14 B to K 2 15 P to B 4 15 B to B 2

16 Kt to Q 2 16 Castles 17 Kt to B 3 17 R to K sq IS Castles K side 18 Q to B 2 To make the best of his cramped position it was more advisable to remove Qto Kt sq, in order to bring his K B which was useless on the King’s side to Q Kt 3 via Q sq. 19 Q to Q 2 19 Q. R to Q sq And now his ,K B is blocked altogether. We would have still preferred B ; to Q sq. ■ 20 Q R to K sq 20 B to B sq 21 K to R sa 21 Kt to K 2

„ It w'ould have been useless to attempt P to Q 4, as White would have answered P t«* K 5, threatening to win a piece by P to K 6, followed by P to B 5. 22 Kt to Q 4 22 Kt to B 3 23 Kt to B 5 23 Kt to K 2 24 Kt to K 3 24 Q to B 4 25 B to B2 25 Q toB 3 26 B to Q Kt sq 26 K to R sq 27 Kt to B 2 27 Q to B 2 28 Kt to Q 4 28 Kt to B 3 29 Kt to B 3 29 B to Kt sq 30 B to Kt 3 30 Q to Kt 3 31 Q to Q sq 31 Q to R 2 32 B to K B 2 32 Q to Q B 2 33 Kt to R 4 Here White who had all along a shade the best of the game, gives the opponent the longdesired chance of relieving his position. 33 B to K 3

Of which, however, Black fails to avail himself, 33 P to Q 4 was quite safe, if he only afterward played properly. For, in reply to 34 P x P, he had only to exchange Rooks first ■ before retaking. It would, however, be bad for him if he immediately replied 34 R x.P,, since White could then win either a clear Rook or two Rooks and a Bishop for the Queen, with a winning game by the answer R x R. 34 R to K 3 34 P to Q 4 He has chosen a very unfavorable moment for this sortie, which now loses the battle, 35 P x P 35 R x P 36 Q to K 2 36 Q to Q 2 37 R to K sq 37 R to Q 7 38 Q to R 5 38 P to Kt 4 39 B x P And now aa usual the Captain rushes in with vigor and energy. 39 R x B 40 B to Kt 6 dis (ch) 40 K to Kt sq 41 B x R 41 Q to Q 4 42 B to Kt 6 42 B to Kt 2 43 Bto B 7 (ch) . . ... This praises itself quite sufficiently. As will be seen, the combination on which it is founded is seven moves deep, and involves another sacrifice of a Rook. 43 B x B 44 R to K 8 (ch) 41 B to B sq 45 R x B (ch) 45 K x R 46 Q to R 8 (ch) 46 B to Kt sq 47 Q to R 6 (ch) 47 K to B 2 48 Q to Kt 6 (ch) 48 K to B sq 49 R to K 8 mate