CHESS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 934, 24 January 1890, Page 5

CHESS.

All'communications for this department must oe addressed to the Chess Editor, Mr C. W. Beniiow. 24/1/90 SOl iUTIONH TO PROBLE MS. No. 1078 (W. ,T. McArthur). 1 B to B 7 1 Any move 2 Mates sccordingly Solved by J.N.H. (Wellington); O.P.Q, Foxton), ‘ A clever and interesting composition (9)’; T.E. (Picton); M.R. (Taranaki); H.D. (Bulls); R.P. (Gisborne),' • Thoroughly ingenious and good (9) ’; A. L.T. (Wanganui); J.F. (Kaikoura); Felix (Auckland); and E.J.D. (Clyde), ‘ 'the most complex in construction and difficult to solve of any two-mover I ever saw (10).’ Well conceived, and the result is of a very satisfactory kind (9). No. 1079 (J. Pospisil). 1 R to R 4 1 B to B 0 2 B to K 4 (ch) 2 Any move 3 Mates accordingly The variations are several and of great merit. Solved by M.R. (Taranaki); R.P. (Gisborne), ‘ A perfect masterpiece (10) 5 ; Felix (Auckland) ; and H.D. (Bulls). Nery profound and difficult (9§). No. 10S0 (J. Jones). 1 B to K 2 1 Any move 2 Mates accordingly Solved by O.P.Q. (Foxton), ‘Neatness itself (8)’; M.R. (Taranaki); A.L.T. (Wanganui); T.E. (Picton); Tt.-T.L. (Palmerston North); R.P. (Gisborne), ‘The key is neat and the whole arrangement very pretty (8J)’; Felix (Auckland); H.D. (Bulls); Horace (Patea); J.F. (Kaikoura);* A.B.C. (Greytown); and H.D. (Bulis). Not difficult, but the play is pleasing aud instructive (8). PROBLEM No. 1090. By F. J. Howitt (Norwich, Eng.). First prize two-mover in the Norwich Mercury Tournament. Black.

White. White to play and mate in two moves. PROBLEM No 1091. By James Rayner (Leeds). Second prize three-mover in Sheffield Independent Tourney. Black.

White. White to plav and mate in three moves. CHESS IN ENGLAND. Played in the British National Tournament held at the British Chess Club, London, and presenting a notable example of the undiminished vigour of the veteran B-rd’s intellect. We are indebted to the Baltimore Sunday News for the game and notes. Bird’s Opening. White. Black (Mr H. E. Bird.) (Herr J. Gunsberg.) 1 P to K B 4 The opening is named fr m Bird’s success therewith at the Hereford Congress 1885, where the veteran all but won first prize from Blackburne, against Mackenzie, Gunsberg, Schallopp, Mason, and others. 1 P to Q Kt 3 2 P to K 3 2 B to Kt 2 3 Kt to K B 3 3 P to Kt 3 4 B to K 2 4 B to Kt 2 5 Castles 3 P to K 3 6 P to Q B 3 6 Kt to K 2 7 Kt to R 3 7 Castles S Kt to B 2 8 P to Q 4 9 Q to K sq 9 P to Q B 4 10 Q to B 2 The debut usually suffers most from advance of Black’s PtoQ 5. In the present case Bird has certainly fortified that point. 10 Q Kt to B 3 11 P to Q 4 11 P to B 5 12 Q Kt to K sq 12 P to Q Kt 4 13 Kt to K 5 13 P to B 3 14 Kt x Kt i 148 x Kt 15 B to Kt 4 15 Q to Q 3 16 Kt to B 3 16 P to Q R 4 17 B to Q 2 17 P to Kt 5 18 P to Q R 3 18 P x R P 19 R x P 19 K R to Kt sq 20 B to B sq 20 Kt to IS sq A very dark horse, indeed ! 21 Q to R 4 21 P to E 4 22 B to R 3 22 Kt to K 2 23 Q to Kt 3 23 B to Q 2 24 Q to K sq 24 Q to B 3 25 Kt to Q 2 25 P to B 4 26 Q to R 4 26 Kt to B sq

27 Kt to K E 3 27 B to K sq 28 Kt to K 5 28 Q to B 2 20 R to B 3 29 Kt to Q 3 30 E to B sq SO Kt to K 5 The veteran stands the strain of this prolonged physical encounter full well—his muscular opponent very nearly got a grip here, as he threatened PtoKt 4; 31 Px P, B x Kt; 32 P x B, Q. x P, breaking White in the middle. 31 Kt to B 3 31 P to B 5 32 Q to K sq 32 B to B sq Concentrating full force on the Queen’s Bank. 33 R to R 2 33 R to Kt 6 34 Kt to Q 2 34 Kt x Kt 35 Q x Kt 35 Q R to Kt sq 36 P to Kt 3 ! 36 Q to R 4 37 Q to K 2 A masterly design—Bird all over ! 37 P to R 6 38 P to K 4 A grand position, wherein every piece and pawn is vitally engaged' Think of the hundreds of millions of times P to K 4 has been played, but when with such effect as here. 38 Q P x P The only safe reply. If 38 P x QKt P ; 39 R x Q, P to Kt 8 (Q); 40 P x Q P, breaking through. 39 Q x B P 39 Q to Q 4 40 Q x Q 40 P x Q 41 E to B 2 Beautifully timed. 41 K to B 2 42 B to B sq 42 B to Q 3 43 P to B 4 43 R to B sq 44 P to B 5 41 B x P ! All we can learn further is that Gunsberg’s hardy bid for victory was met by a counter sacrifice on Bird’s part, and that the game was drawn on the 61st move, when * the stillness of which is the rule of the chess-room was rudely broken, as loud cheers greeted this termination.’ NEW ZEALAND CHESS CONGRESS l'his contest commenced on the 6ih inst at Mr Mount’s office, Princess-street, Dunedin. There were but five competitors, viz :—Messrs Hookham and Smith, of Christchurch ; Barnes, of Wellington; and Dr Stenhouse and Mr Siedeberg, jun. (the latter taking the place of Mr J, Mount, who was unwell), of Dunedin. The following was the score :

In the play-off Mr Hookham beat Mr Barnes arid secured the first position. We congratulate him on the manner in which he has maintained his reputation, and Mr Barnes on the excellence of his first attempt. Messrs Stenhouse and Siedeberg did not play their game.

Won. Lost. Mr Hookham Mr Barnes jf Dr Sfcenhouse 1 2 M r Siedeberg, jun. 1 2 Mr Smith 0 4