CHESS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1287, 29 October 1896, Page 13

CHESS.

All communications for this department must bo addressed to the Chess Editor, Mr C. W. Benbow. 29/10/963 J *y* The Wellington Chess Club meets every Tuesday and Friday evening at 7.30 in Room No. 11, *]xchangeßuildings, Lambton Quay. Visitors are cordially welcomed.

SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS. No. IVGB (F. A. L. Kuskop). 1 lit to K 5 li ny move 2 Mates accordingly Solved by H.B. and J.N.H. (Wellinsrtoii) ; To Ika a Maui; X.Y.Z. (Christchurcb). "I like Mr Kuskop's two-movers especially (8£)." T.G. (Picton) ; A.B.C. (Greytown) ; K.P. (Gisborne). There is a good deal about this problem which I like (8£) ;" H.D. Bulls ; Felix (Auckland) ; and M.S. (Masterton). Good in every way (8^). No. 1769 (A. F. Mackenzie). IRtoQ3 1 K x R 2 KtxP eh 2 K to B 5 3 Q to Q B 8 mate Solved by F.A.L.K. (Wellington) : X.Y.Z. (Christcburch) (9) ; M.R. (Taranaki) ; and Felix (Auckland). Deep, and yet at the same time pleasant to solve (9). No. 1770 (F.A. L. Kuskop). 1 Q to Q Kt sq 1 Any move 2 Mates accordingly. Solved by H.B. and J N.H. (Wellington); H.E.K. (Kaihoata) ; Virgil (Patea) ; T.E. (Picton); M.R.) Taranaki); R.P. (Gisborne). " Simple, as was to be expected, and yet it has some interesting points (7.V) " ; H.D. (Bulls); A.B.C. (Greytown) ; Felix (Auckland) ; and X.X.X. (Wanganui). A neat little study for beginners (7£). No. 1771 (John C. Andersen). 1 R to B 5 IBxR 2 Kt to B 4 ch 2 B x Kt 3QtoQ3eli 3 P x Q 4 Kt x P ch 4 Kt x Kt mate Solved by H.B. and F.A.L.K. (Wellington). " Not difficult, but ingenious and pretty " ; Virgil (Patea); M.R. (Taranaki): T.E. (Picton),' and RP. (Gisborne). A nice sequence of moves (S'r). Pleasant and agreeable to solve {Bk).

Problem No. 1781. By K. Makovsy (Bohemia) Black.

White. White to play and mate in two moves, PKOBLEM No. 1782. By F.A..L. Kuskop (Wellington). Black.

White. White to nlav and mate in three move-. WELLINGTON v. DUNEDINL The telegraphic chess match between Wellington and Otago was continued on Saturday evening, and resulted in a decided victory for Wellington. Tne Wellington Club now claim to be the champion club of the Colony, having beaten Christchurch in 1894, Auckland in 1895 and Otago in 1890. Owing to great pressure of public work on the wires, the clubs were not connected until 8.30 p.m., consequently some of the games were unfinished, but cannot alter the result, boards 5,8, 10 and 12 agreeing to draw, and games at boards 1, 2, and 6 will go to adjudication. Wellington scored its third win at 9.15 p.m., another at 10.30 and its fifth just before adjournment, Otago having failed to score a single win. During the evening the chess-room was thronged with visitors, Mr Justice Denniston being among the spectators. Mr Hookham, of Christchurch, has kindly consented to adjudicate on the unfinished games. The thanks of the Wellington Club are due to Mr Moody, of Dunedin, who acted as Wellington's representative in Dunedin; also to Messrs James and Eichardson, who ; acted in the same capacity for Otago in Wellington. The Wellington Club also begs to tender its thanks to the scrutineers and all who helped to make the match such a decided success Mr Carmine' carried out i

the duties of operator in a manner which gave every satisfaction. The following- is a detailed account of the games : Cleland (Otago) v. Benbow (Wellington). French defence. Owing to the adjournments of both the previous evenings this game is not very far advanced, and goes to adjudication with the positions about even.

Littlejohn (Wellington) v. Edwards (Otago).—Centre gambit declined. -. Mr Edwards, af cer playing a weak variation of declining the gambit, played the middle game very well, and has now two bishops, knight and six pawns against rook, bishop, knight and three pawns, and. the game goes for adjudication. Mouat (Otago) v. Barnes (Wellington). —French defence. At the conclusion of last Saturday's play Mr Barnes was three pawns to the good, and Mr Mouat sent his resignation up last week. Another game was started to fill in time, Mr Barnes playing an Allgaier - Thorold gambit, and announced mate in six on the 17th move.

Mackay (Wellington) v. Balk (Otago).— Queen's Fianchetto. This game was won by Mr Mackay on the second evening's play with a very carefully-laid plan of attack.

Mellor (Otago) v. Cocks (Wellington).— Evans' gambit declined. Neither player appeared to have much advantage, and Mr Mellor proposed a draw just before adjournment, which Mr Cocks accepted. Barraud (Wellington) v. Stenhouse (Otago).—Queen'd gambit declined. Mr Barraud has played a fine uphill game after getting into some difficulty in the opening, and, with first-class play, completely turned the tables on his opponent, and has now two knights to the good, where the game goes for adjudication with an absolute win for Wellington. Cleland i(Otago) v. Still (Wellington). —Giuoco Piano. Shortly after resuming, Mr Still won two more pawns, and, playing very strongly,, forced his opponent to resign on his 40th move. Mason (Wedington) v. Warsaw (Otago).—Ruy Lopez. A very tough fight ensued between these two players, who are evidently well matched. MiMason offered a draw on his 51st move, which Mr Warsaw accepted a few moves later.

McDonald (Otago) v. Kelling (Wellington). —Giuoco Piano. Mr Kelling played his game really well, and on resuming soon forced his opponent to exchange queens, and Mr Kelling being left with an advantage both in pieces and position, his opponent resigned. Skeet (Wellington) v. Fraser (Otago).— Queen's gambit declined. Mr Fraser offered a draw, which Mr Skeet accepted. This game was noticeable for its peculiar intricate pawn ending. Sim (Otago) v. Allen (Wellington).— French defence. Upon resuming, Mr Allen, who played the end game exceedingly well, queened a pawn, and Mr Sim resigned immediately after. Matthews (Wellington) v. Throp (Otago).—Scotch gambit. A lot of play was left in this game, and ns neither player had any material advantage, it was agreed to draw. The following is the final score : Wellington. Otago. Benbow * v. E. A. Cleland ... * Littlojohn ... *v. Edwards * Barnes ... ... Iv. Mouat ... ... 0 Mackay 1 v. Balk 0 Cocks a- v. Mellor h iarraud ... ... *v. Stanhouse ... * Still 1 v. H. J. Cleland ... 0 Mason \ v. Warsaw 1Kelling- 1 v. McDonald ... 0 Skeet ... ... iv. Fraser ... ... A Allen ... .... 1 v. Sim 0 Matthews ... i- v. Throp -V *These gamesgo to adjudication. The total result so far is : Won. Lost. Drawn. Wellington 5 0 4 Otago 0 5 4 The match was conducted in the pleasantest possible spirit. Very few mistakes indeed were made in telegraphing the moves, and what were made were at once rectified when attention was called to them. We think the Wellington Chess Club has reason to be proud of so decisive a victory over such strong opponents. The following was the game played at board 3

. Trench Defence. White. Black. Mr Mouat. Mr R. J. Barnes. 1 P to K 4 1 P to K-3 % P to Q 4 2 r to Q 4 3Ktto QB 3 3Ktto KB 3 . 4 B to K Kts 4 B to K 2 5 B x Kt 5 B x B 6 P to K 5 6 B to K 2 7 P to B 4 B to Q 3 or Q to Kt 4 would have been better than the move adopted. 7 P to Q B 4 BPxP BBxP 9 Kt to B 3 9 0 to Kt 3 10 Bto Q 3 IOQxP This breaks up the White Pawns on the Queen's flank and gives Black the better I game. I 11 Kt to Q R 4 11 Q to E 6 12 Ktx B 12 QxKt 13 Q to Q 2 13 Kt to B 3 14 P to B 3 14 B to Q 2 15 R to Q Kt <sq 15 Kt to R 4 16 R to Kt 4 16' R to Q B sq Black has the attack and presses White very hard. 17 K to K 2 17 Q x P 18'P x P 18 R x Q 19 K R to Q Kt sq 19 Castles 20 P to K R 4 20 K R to B sq 21 P to K Kt 4 • This attempt to work up a side attack is perfectly hopeless : but there was, unfortunately, very little that was better. 21 Rtoß6 22 R (Kt 4) to Kt 2 22 PtoQ Kt 3 23 P to R 5 23 R (B sq) to B 6 24 Kt to K sq 24. Kt to B 5 25 B x Kt 25 R x B 26 Kt to Q 3 26 R to K 5 ch 27 K to Q 2 27 R to Q 5 28 R to Kt 3 The sole way to save the Kt, and then it is only done by the loss of another Pawn. 28RxRPoh 29R(Ktsq)Kt2 29RsRch

30 R x K 30 P to B 3 31 R to K 4 This forcing of the exchanges only hastens the end. The game might to have been safely resigned at this point. 31 R x R 32KtxR - 32 P x P 33 P x P 33 B to Kt 4 34 Kt to B 2 • 34 K to B 2 35 Kt to Q 4 35 B to B 8 36 P to Kt 5 36 B to R 6 37 Kt to K 2 ... 37 BtoKt 5 38 Kt to B 4 33 P to K R 3 39 P x P 39 P x P 40 K to B 3 40 P to R 4 41 K to Q 4 41 P to Kt 4 42 K to B 3 42 P to Kt 5 ch 43 K to Kt 3 43 B to Q 8 ch 44 Resigns The game does not exhibit much complicated strategy, and this without either player being in any way to blame. Mr Mouat went wrong in the early part of tbe game, and his opponent taking prompt advantage of his opportunities, we have the spectacle of a strong man battling bravely, but ineffectually, against adversity. WELLINGTON CHESS CLUB. The following are the latest scores in the tournaments now in progress at the above Club. Wins counts two points, draws one point:— CHAMPIONSHIP TOUKNET.

1 1 Li II Players § o m J* 6 £ « < 1 O O a 30 JSS Masoi Little Total Barraud .. .. — 0 2 0 2 Barnes — 2 2 2 2 8 Brown 2 0 — 0 0 ! 02 Allen, B 0 — - 0 2 Oi 2 Mackay, W. Cocks 2 3 o 0 1 2 0 I 6 11 2 Ryder 0 2 (• 2 — 0 0 4 Still 1 2 — 2 0 05 Kclling 0 2 0 2 2 0 — 6 Mason 2 0 2 1 2 7 Little john 2 2 — — 4 1

JUNIOR TOURNEY. Players 2 c o J Si e3 03 hews ardson s CO a o a "jO fc3 o 1 o :5 A ■ 3 "3 ,„ t . a O o O ] 03 d .Si H ; -^ O pq s SjS § P5 ( 33i^| B Carman 2 o 1 0 5 Dryden 0 2 0 2 4 Butler 0 0 — 0 0 2 2 (5 McNaught t) 0 — 2 0 2 2 6 Moore — 1 o Mackay, S. 1 2 0 — 2 2 7 Matthews . V" "■*. . . 2 o — 2 2 210 Richardson • • >, 2 2 0 0 —! Oi Oj i Siram 0 oi I 0 0 2—! 0 2 Willis .. v-. 0 0 0 I 0 2 i 2 r| 4