CHESS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1618, 4 March 1903, Page 24

CHESS.

All communications for this department should be addressed to the Chess Editor, “New Zealand Mail,” Lambton quay, Wellington.

Wednesday, March 4, 1903. ... The Wellington Chess Club meets every Tuesday and Friday evening at 7.30 at No. 21b, Willis street. Visitors are cordially welcomed. SOLUTION TO PROBLEM No. 2359. 1 Q to R 6 1 K to Q 4 .2 B to B 3 mate 1 1 Rto Kt 7crKt to B 6 2 Q takes Kt P mate 1 1 Kt to K 4 2 ±vt to B 6 mate 1 . , 1 Kt to Kt 7 2 Q to K 6 mate 1 1 K on B 5 2 Q to Q 3 mate 1 1 Elsewhere 2 Q takes B mate 1 1 Any other PROBLEM No. 2360. (By Chevalier L. Desanges.) (From the “Daily News.”) BlacX.

Whitu.

White to play and mate in two moves. Position: 2 Q 4 B; 4 Kt 3; 2 P 1 b 1 p 1; 2p3kt 1; R 1P 1 k 3; b 3 Kt 1 P 1; 4 K 3; 1 kt 6.

A CURIOUS GAME. The following interesting game occurred in a recently played match between the I.ud-Eagle and Hampstead Chess Clubs: White —Curnock. Black —Mahood. 1 P to Iv 4 IP to K 4 2 IC Kt to B 3 2 Q Ivt to B 3 3 P to B 3 3 P to Q 4 4 B to Kt 5 (a) 4 P takes P (b)' 5 Kt takes P - 5 Q to Q 4 6 Q to R 4 6 Q takes Kt (c) 7 B takes Kt (ch) 7 P takes B 8. Q takes P (ch) 8;K to Q 1 9 Q takes R 9 B to B 4 10 P to Q B 4 (d) 10 Kt to K 2 11 .Kt to B 3 11 P to Q B 3 12 Kt to R 4 12 B to Q 5 (e) 13 P to B '5 13 Q to B 2 14 Q R to Kt 1 14 K to Q 2 15 P to Q Kt 4 15 .B to R 3 16 Q takes R 16 Q to B 5 (f) 17 P to Kt 5 17 B takes P (ch (g) 19 P takes B 19 Q takes Kt (ch) 20 R to Kt 3 20 Q to Kt 5 (ch) 21 K to B 2 21 Q to B 5 (ch) 22 K to Kt 1 22 P takes P 23 Q takes R P (h) 23 P to B 4 24 Q to R 3 24 P takes B (ch) 25 II takes P 25 Q to K C (ch) 26 Q to Q 3 (ch) 26 K to K 3 27 Q takes Q 27 P takes Q 28 R to Kt 7 28 P to K 7 29 R takes P 29 Ivt to Q 4 80 R takes P 30 P to K 7 31 P to R 7 31 Kt to B 6 (eh) 32 Ivto B 2 32 Kt takes P 33 P to R 8 (Q) 33 Kt takes R 34 Q takes P (ch) 34 Resigns (a) This amounts to the same thing almost as playing 4 Q to R 4, and Black can treat the opening accordingly by playing P to B 3. (b) In addition to P to B 3 Black can also play K Kt to K 2. If, then, 5 Q to R 4, P to B 3, again going into the 4 Q to R 4 variation of the Ponziani. (c) Kt to II 2 would avoid complications, but we believe it is quite josfi'iable to give up the exchange. (d) Q to B 6 would only result in Black further developing his pieces.

(e) If K to B 2, 13 Kt takes B. Q takes Kt, 14 P to Q 4, Q to Kt 5 (ch), 15 B to Q 2, Q takes Ivt P, 16 Q tak,es R P icn), and the White Queen would escape. (f) Black has adopted the very .venturesome course of giving up his second Rook. It is a pity that he did not foresee the effect of White’s move of P to Kt 5, which was part of White’s scheme of defence. The game might have assumed a much more interesting turn if Black had now played B to Q 6 to prevent the Bishop being shut out, to be followed by Q to B 5. We believe the attack would have prevailed. After B to Q 6, 17 R to Kt 3, Q to B 5, 18 R takes B, Q takes P (ch), 19 K to Q 1, P takes R, 20 B to' Kt 2 Q takes Ivt P, 21 R to Iv 1 B to B 7, 22 Q takes Ivt P, Q to B 6 (ch), 23 Iv to B 1, B takes R, with a good game. White’s best would seem to be if B to Q 6 to play 17 B to Kt 2, offering to give up, the Rook, and still remain with an exchange to the good. But on examination we find that this would not work satisfactorily either, for if B to Q 6, 17

B to Kt 2, B takes P (ch), could be played to be followed, if IS K to Q 1, by B takes R, stilt maintaining the attack, though perhaps not in such an acute form. If in reply to B takes P (ch), 18 K takes B, then Q to B 5 (ch), 19 .K to K 1, P to K G, and wins.

(S) If Q takos Pch 18 KtoQl, P takes P. 19 Kt to B 3, P to Kt 5, 20 11 takes P, B takes Ivt, Black's chances would have been much better. P takes P was the move in any case, even after B takes P, as there was no reason whatever for trying to precipitate matters.

If 23 B takes P, Q to Iv 5 ch, 24 K to B 1, Dl ac^’s checking 1 would soon come to an emt u Ui unite nan much in hand that ho could afford to give up the piece to get his Queen into play, as after this Black’s game becomes hopeless.

Played 6th December, 1902, at Queen’s Park Chess Club in the competition for the Spens Cup. “Queen’s Gambit Declined.” White. Black. J. McKee, J. Borthwick, Queen's Park. Athenaeum. * 1 (P to Q 4) 1 (P to Q' 4) 2 (P to Q B 4) 2 (P to lv 3) 3 Kt to Q B 3 3 Kt to K B 3 4 B to Kt 5 4 B to K 2 5 P to K 3 ” 5 Castles 6 Kt to B 3 6 P to Q Kt 3 7 B to Q 3 7 P takes P 8 B takes P 8 B to Kt 2 9 Castles 9 Q Kt to Q 2 10 R to R sq 10 R to B sq 11 B to Q 3 11 P to B 4 12 B to Kt sq 12 R to K sq 13 Q to I( 2 13 Kt to Q 4 14 B takes* B 14 Q takes B 15 K R to Q sq 15 Kt (Q 2) to B 3 16 P takes P 16 R takes P 17 Kt takes Kt 17 B takes Kt 18 P to K 4 18 B to Kt 2 19 R takes R 19 Q takes R 20 P to K 5 20 Kt to Q 4 Here we think Black might with advantage have played B takes Ivt instead of tire move in the text. 21 Q to K 4 21 P to Kt 3 22 Q to K R 4 22 R to Q B sq 23 P to IC R 3 23 Q to B 5 24 Q to R 6 Threatening to continue Avitii 25 Kt to* Kt 5. 24 24 Kt to B 5 25 Kt to Kt 5 25 Kt to K 7 (ch) 26 K to R sq 23 Q to B 5 27 Q takes P (ch) 27 lv to B sq 28 Ivt takes P (ch) 28 Kto K 2 29 Kt takes Q 29 Resigns.

NOTES.

In connection with a recent tourney iu the “Manchester Weekly Times,” Mr P. 11. Williams offered two prizes for the best three-movers Avitii six (or fewer) pieces. It Avas made clear that the prizes Avere not to be aAvarded to the positions Avitii the least number of pieces, but to the lavo best that did not exceed six men. The prize Avinners are' —Ist by F. Baird, Manchester: 8; K 7; 8; 5B 2; 2 k 5; 2 Ivt 5; 8; Q 7. Mate in three. 2nd by W. H. Turner, Salford: 8; 1 B R 5; 2 Ivt 5; 8; 2p 5; 2 k 5; 8; 2lv 5. Mate in three.

Herr ivurscliner, the judge in the recent occasional tourney of the Sammler,” remarks, re prcolem construction, that “the latest theories of construction in regard to variety speedily lead to difficulties. One composition dazzles because of its being rich in variations; another, with little in the way of accessories, delights because of the subtlety of its point. Here is a problem of charming simplicity; there, depending on the depths of the design, is one of extreme difficulty. At one moment one is held captive by a bewitching line of double play; at another one is stimulated by a hidden, manoeuvre of the highest interest. So a problem judge is placed face to face with a whole series of compositions, all different, yet each admirable in its own individuality. Each of the themes findsi an approprite development, and in coming to a decision the judge is thrown upon liis own taste and his own experience. Yes, other things being equal, taste has to stand between connoisseurs of different ways of thinking, and to speak the deciding word. Thus the London “Times”:—‘'Very likely too 'much stress is laid upon the acquirement of a knowledge of the openings-. Of course, such knowledge is vitally important. Without it the player will lie at'sea if he should venture upon, say, the playing or defending of a gambit about which he knows nothing more than the first five or six moves. But it is remarkable in how few eases between equally strong players a game is lost in the opening. The failure too often comes later, when, with an excellent development due to book knowledge, there is the simple failure to keep the game equal. Consolidate. A wary opponent makes a. combination which, not being seen through, wins a pawn, and the game goes to the bad by rapid degrees. Nothing will help if care is not taken to maintain either an equality of material or a superiority of position,. The latter is usually, but not invariably, of the greater importance. A position must be built up by careful development, quiet consolidation, and unceasing watchfulness against surprises.”

The appointment of Lieutenant Herd to tlie post of bandmaster of the New Zealand Brass Band has left the conductorship of the Wellington Garrison Belli cl v&c&nt • Corporal McDonald ; who once previously filled the same position with marked success, has heen appointed acting-bandmaster, and has already entered upon his duties. The New Zealand Band will shortly be heard playing in public in Wellington. In answer to Mr W. T. Wood, the Minister of Public Works has stated that a surveyor is to examine the route of the proposed Ashhurst-Pc-hangina railway at an early date*

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