CHESS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1263, 14 May 1896, Page 13

CHESS

All communications fortius department must be addressed to the Chess Editor, Mr C. W. Sjßenbow. U. 5.96 *y* The Wellington Chess Club meets every Tuesday and Fiiday evening at 7.30 in Boom No. 11, Exchange Buildings, Lambton Quay. Visitors are cordially welcomed. T.S. (Woodville) Thanks for letter and problems, and also for newspaper. SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS. No. 172-J (A. Mtmek) 1 Ivt to B 1) 1 Any move •J Mates accordingly. Solved by H. 8., J.N.H. and F.A.L.K. (Wellington); '•Very pretty indeed (!>)";

M.IL (Taranaki): T.E. (Hietuii; X.Y.Z. (Christchurch); " A little beauty for economy, the key is fairly good, but the after play of the Kt's is first-rato"; 11.1). (Bulls); Felix (Auckland); A.B.C. (Greytown): Horace (Patea), and P.P. (GirJwrnc). •"The combination in this problem is exceptionally pleasing (81). A really nice little two-mover (8).

No. 1723 (Henry B. Jackson). 1 Q to K 7 1 I! to Q 1 2 it to l'i "> 2 Any move .5 Q x h't mate Solved by F.A.L.K. (Wellington); lI.D. (Hubs); X.Y.Z. (Christchurch). "The idea of this problem is new to me, and rather pleasing, but the key-movo is too omnipotent, and there is a rather meagre result from it. It is the first three-mover by the composer that 1 have seen, and he has well avoided the beginner's idea nf multitudinous forces to bring about what is too often barren variation (til)". M.K. (Taranaki); lI.D. ( Hulls); T.E. I'Picton): and P.P. ( lisborne). " There is not much finish at present about this composer's problems, at the wine time I think he is making gradual progress (7)." Mr Jackson deserves every credit for his persevering efforts in the art of problem composition, and the time and attention he is bestowing on this branch of the game must meet with success (7). PROBLEM No. 173 L By Thomas Sexton (Woodville). Black,

WniTE. White to play and mate in two moves PRO P. I .KM No. 1735. By Eustace Kiutr (Christchurch). IiIiACK.

White. White to play and mate in three move

NEW ZEALAND CHESS CONGRESS. The following game was played between Mr H. Andersen, of Christchurch, and Mr 11. S. Cocks, of Wellington : - Buy Lopez. White Hlaek (Mr 11. Andersen.) (Mr 11. S. Cocks.) 1 P to K I 1 V to K ! 2 Ivt to K H :; 2 K'l to K I! 3 3 Ii to Ivt :> 3 V to K Kl :: A line of defence wlihdi ha - bi-eu in evidence of late, and one to which Mr Pillabury is very partial. ■1 ki to n .; x \> -. 5, Kl. x V. IJ to Ivt 2;(), J! to K '!, k't to 83, <fco. In the correspondence game between Edinburgh and Glasgow, the burner proceeded in this variation with 5, B x Kt. Q P x P; (J, Q x P, 0 x Q ; 7, Kt x Q. 1! to <l 2, A:.;, t 15 to Kt 2 :, p to Q :i '■> K't to n :; G Castles

At the first glance it seems as if White could win 1: Pawn by 0, H x Ivt, 0 P x H ; 7 Kt x P, but Black's response of Kt x P pre serves the equilibrium.

G P to Q 3 7 B to K 3 7 Castles BPtoKP3B P to K R 3 There may have been a necessity for the playing of the Q R I' by both White and Hlaek, but we are very doubtful on the point ourselves. <i P lo Q 1 !) P x P 10 Kt x {' Id Kt to K 2 li Q to H 3

Q to Q 2, followed by 12, P to K Ii 1. seems to us to be a stronger lino oi attack.

] J. P to 1;:; 128t0Q84 12 P to H-t 13 Kt(Q4) to K2 13Ktto Q 2 1-1 B tolit 11 Kt to K 4 10 B x Kt 15 P x B 10 Kt to B sq Why not It to (J sq F It sceins the most feasable course to pursue. 1G P to R 3 This is a loss of time; Kt to B 3, threaten-

17 P to QK4 17QtoKt3 When doing this Black must surely have overlooked White's obvious reply, and from this time ho goes all to the bad.

18KttoQ3 18KttoB3 19 Kt to Q 5 The proper continuation. 19 Ivt to Q 5 His best move to preserve tho theatencd Pawn was 17, Q to R 2, though that is not a commendable lino of play, The move adopted throws away a piece, and with it, of course, the game. 20 Kt x Q 20 Kt x Q oh 21 Px Kt 21 H x P 22 Kt x Q 22 B x R 23 K x B 23 R x Kt 24 B toQ 5 A good preparatory move. If he had captured the B P at once he would have lost a piece. 25 R to Q B sq 26 K't x P 20 R x P 27 P to Kt 3 27 H to B sq 28 K to Kt 2 28 P to Kt t 2i> Hto B 4 2ii PtoQ Kl 30 K to IJ sq Wo assumo that White declined to take the Q K P because he did not wish to give Hlaek the slight attack resulting from 30 B to B 4, .V.C. 30 B to Kt 5 31 Kt to Q S 31 K to B sq 32 Ktx P The simplest and easiest way of bringing the game loan end. Mr Andersen has played carefully and well throughout, but his opponent is not seen at his best. 32 R x H 33 P x R 33 K x Kt 3-1 K. to Q 5 Resigns.

DUALS IN TWO MOVE PROBLEMS

The following interesting article on the above has been contributed to tho Oiiirin Wilnexs by Mr Thomas Sexton, wdio is well competent to speak on the subject of problem composition : "As problem composing is becoming so popular in New Zealand, I have thought a few remarks on tho above subject would not bo inopportune. The idea of writing the following was suggested to my mind by a slight discussion I had with a gentleman whilst in Wanganui. For tho benefit of the uninitiated I may explain that whenever White has two or more ways of proceeding the problem is said to have duals in it ; if this happens in the first move then, in the words of Te Whiti's historical remark, tho problem, like the potato, is cooked. My opponent in the discussion I refer to contended that duals of any description in two movers were quite inexcusable, whilst I think that when they occur in answer to purposeless moves on the part of the Black that not only are they excusab'e, but it is preferable to let them stand than to overcrowd the position ; of course if they occur in answer to defensive moves then they are a decided blemish. To illustrate unmeaning I composed the following position ; -

White—lv on K S;0 on K 132; Bon K Kt I ; Kts on Q KtSandQ B 3; PsonQ Kt 1, K 3. Black— K on Q 3 ; Bon 0 H 3 ; Kt on K H 5 ; Ps on Q K't 2,3, 4, Q2, K 4 and 5. White mates in two moves.

It will 1)0 scon there is a s'ood try by 1 Q to R 4, Black's only reply being Bto (,» I, My intended key is Kt to 0 4, thus while offering the sacrifice of the Kt providing effectually lor 1 Ii to Q 4. The idea 1 had in the above position was to provide a variety of play in answer to tho moves of tho Black Et. If 1 K't to R I, then 2 Q to U S ; if to prevent that 1 Kt to Kt 3 then Q to BC; if to prevent those mates I Ktto Q 1 or K IS, then the Kts mate accordingly. These moves of the Kt arc strictly defensive, and if a dual occurred in answer to any of them, then it would be a decided blemish. Bto (» lorP x Q are also defensive moves, ami duals in answer would be inexcusable ; but if Black plays 1 KttoQ (j, Iv 7, Kt 7, or R 0, then White can mato by either B (i or H 8. Hut what purpose does Hlaek hope such moves to serve r None ; therefore they are purposeless. It should be always understood that it is against Black's best play that White will force the mate, and it is only such in my opinion should be taken into account. To further illustrate my meaning I submit the position with the duals removed :

White K on KH S ; QonKKt 2 ; R p-i K i; sq ; I; 0:1 K lisq ; Kts on <.,> Ii 3 and Q li: Ps on 0H4,G.K2, KH 3. Black —K on K 3 : li on Q:i : K't on K Kt 5 ; Ps on QB 2, I, K 2, G, K H 4, 5, 7. K Kt 1, K R 5 and 7. White mates in two moves. It will be seen that to cure tho duals I had to block the square.! with pawns, and sis it would have taken more than the set contained I bad to shift tiie whole position one file to the right, at once removing what, was previously a good try, and in my opinion destroying whatever small amount of beauty tmrposition originally contained. Koine composers, and also the gentleman I was discussing the subject with in Wanganui, have said that if they could not remove the duals without overcrowding and spoiling the beauty of th" position they would not publish it sit, all. This, I think, is a mi-take, as many fine stratagems lira would have delightel the problem lover in; y be lost. The discussion on this ruibject is in no ways new. as many years ago it raged with great fierceness. !]... 'i- : -:\ ~' iVvi-ts mis') !is ill K I In- forme r US,, , ,-, ~;-,. ,-f, ,| |,y Me; ;■■ An W: .V.I Mid

Carpenter, Ln;:li-hand American compo.- er..,, the hitter by Messrs Koht/. and Kockelkorn, the German composers : the one side contending for absolute purity— i.e., freedom from duals—whilst the other side took what I think a common-sense view, contending that duals in answer to purposeless moves were quite excusable, and could scarcely be called a blemish.

Opinion is much modified in both England and America since then, ami two-movers that contain harmless duals can be found taking first prizes in tourneys held in both countries. Between two problems equally good in other respects, the one which is freest from duals ought to be preferred ; buffo say that a composer must abandon a fine conception because be finds it impossible to work it out with no duals ill it is to my mind ridicu'ous. NOTES. We are glad to learn that tho Woodville Chess Club is making progress ; and findiTig their present quarters rather cramped tli&y are moving into a more commodious meeting place. Messrs Godtschalk and Mayne, of Pahiatua, have joined the Club and will be a groat addition to its strength for intor-club matches. Tho Rangitikei Chess Club have been challenged to play a match, but their reply has not yet been received. When it comes off a good"light may be expected. On tho opening night of tho season, Mr Thos.

played ton other members simultaneously, winning 6, losing 2, and drawing 2, which is a very creditable record. Sheriff Spens is responsible for the following clever parody on " Comin' thro' the Bye,'' which we cull from the forthcoming book of Chess Gems and Biographies by Mr F. E. Gitlins. of Birmingham. It will be seen that the good Sheriff, besides being an oxcelleut performer over tho board and a king of good fellows, is also a capital poet, and one who would probably bo able to give tho present Laureate at least Pawn and Two.

Gin a body meet a body, Game at chess to try ; Gin a body meet a bodyNeed a lody sigh? Ilka player has his losses, Few hae mair than I, But aye I meet wi' smile defeat " Nano the waur " I cry. Gin a body play a body At the game of chess, He noedna gloom, or fret and fume, Gin he's in a mess. Ilka player has his losses, Few hae mair than I, The pieces yet again I set, " Nai • the w.iur ' I cry. Gin a body to a body Lose his bonnio Queen, He's daft to tear his scanty hair, Cursin' foe and freeu. Ilka player has his losses, Few hae mair than I, But wherefore pine a game to tine, " Nunc the waur " levy. Gin a body beat a body, Let tho body ken, That you can still defy h's skill, An' fecht ower again. Ilka player has his lessee, Mine I'll no deny, 1 fecht again and no in vain, •' What the waur:'' say I.