THE CHESS TOURNEY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1715, 11 January 1905, Page 61

THE CHESS TOURNEY.

CHAMPIONSHIP WON BY DAVIES

OAMIARU, December 30.

The sixth round was concluded this afternoon. A surprise was afforded by Keliing’s victory over Cleland. Two unfinished games are now held over — viz., W. E. Mason v. J. Mason and J. Barnes v. Forsyth. Following are results, the first-named player in each instance having first move: — Kelling v. Cleland, Scotch Gambit.— Improved play on Keliing’s part resulted in the middle game being reached with equal chances. The game

was full of pitfalls on both sides, followed with alternating attack and defence. Rapid exchanges reduced the forces to six pawns each. Kelling’s being the more advanced, he secured first promotion. Oleland, seeing this Avas inevitable, resigned on the fiftyfourth move.

B. Mason v. Gifford, French Defence. —Mason instituted a feint on the queen’s side, which was r'"ulsed without loss. Mason soon secured an advantage in position, and pushed a vigorous attack. Pinning his opponent’s queen, he forced Gifford’s resignation on the thirty-ninth move. J. Mason a t . Miles, Zukertort.—Mason’s favourite opening. Miles’s resourcefulness maintained free scope l , yet the position was difficult for immediate attack on either side with even forces. Improving his position, Mason won pawn and the exchange, and afterAvards announced mate in tAA r o.

Adair v. Edwards, Sicilian Defence.— EdAvards’s penchant for lively attack secured him a knight for tAvo paAvns, with strong possibilities of success, Avhich he folloAved up Avitliout serious danger. The coup de grace Avas accelerated by Adair letting a bishop go for a paAA'n, in the hope of promoting others.

Barnes \ r . Forsyth, Buy Lopez.— Rather timid defensive play gave Forsyth a cramped position, Avhich he skilfully manoeuvred against a strong fusilade. An . attacking bishop fell for a paAA'n in an attempt to promote “seal moves,’’ AA'hich leaves him in possession of the fortress till a future day. Hamel v. W. E. Mason, Petr off’s Defence.—Hamel adopted a variation, Avhich forced an exchange of queens. Mason proceeded to lay a trap, Avhich would cost his opponent the exchange. On the twenty-third move Hamel resigned. Pleasants v. Davies, Ruy Lopez.— With the pieces in skirmishing order the game had reached the twentieth move, with no apparent advantage on either side. Pleasants. hoAvever, had a masked battery in readiness, and cleverly forced Davies’s resignation on the tAventy-ninth move. This game is the third competitor for the Brilliancy prize. SEVENTH ROUND. This round commenced in the evening. All the games AA'ere Avell advanced at the adjournment. Davies v. Gifford, Ruy Lopez.—'Gifford defended aa'cll, and the game Avas very even on the thirty-second move. Adair v. B. Mason, Guioco Piano.— Mason gave up pawn to trap a bishop, lost another pawn in the process, and has secured a strong attack. Echvards v. Miles, King’s Bishop’s Gambit.— Edwards won a piece, but let it go l again, and on the forty-second move the forces AA'ere even, and the position one which required generalship to convert into victory for either. Pleasants v. W. E. Mason, Ruy Lopez.—An even game developed to the eighteenth move, where Mason sacrificed a bishop for two paAA'ns. The game is full of possibilities, but apparently even. Hamel v. Barnes, Scotch Gambit.— Barnes captured a pawn in opening, and another later Avitli an open attack. J. Mason v. Cleland, Guioco Piano.— Castling on opposite sides gave Cleland an attack on Mason’s queen flank, which the latter must deiend without loss of time.

Forsyth v. Ivelling, King’s Gambit declined. —Forsyth outplayed his.opponent for a paAA'n, but afterwards lost a bishop for tAvo pawns. He lias now four pawns for the bishop, but his king’s rook is fenced out of the fray. The attack lies with Kelling, who has every prospect of preventing the remaining pawns, hitherto inert, from becoming troublesome.

The folloAA'ing is the result at the conclusion of the sixth round : —Davies, won 41, lost 1-2-; Cleland, 4—2; Miles, 4—2; Forsyth, 4—l; Barnes, 3i —H; Gifford, 31—21 : B. Mason, 4—2; AV. E. Mason, 3—2; Pleasants, 3 —3; Hamel, 11— TV ; Adair, 1-1 —51 ; J. Mason, 2—3; Ecßrards, 11 —4; Kelling, I—s, and one game unfinished. W. E. Mason and J. Mason, game unfinished. OAMARU, January 2.

The seventh round of the ch<*ss tournament was concluded on Saturday morning. A feature of the play was Kelling’s defeat of the ex-cham-pion Forsyth, after one of the best games played, and also' Pleasants’s victory over the champion. Adair v. B. Mason, Guioco Piano. — Mason kept Adair on the defensive, and with two rooks, a knight and four pawns against a queen and four pawns he succeeded in trapping the queen, and won on the fifty-sixth move. Davies v. Gifford, Ruy Lopez.— Even play continued to the forty-fifth move, when Gifford obtained a draw by perpetual check. Edwards v. Miles, King’s Bishop’s Gambit. —Miles sacrificed a knight for two pawns, and an exchange of rooks followed, leaving Miles with two dangerous passed pawns, one of vvh : cli cost Edwards his bishop, and the other being promoted, Edwards resigned. Pleasants v. W. E. Mason, Huy Lopez.—Developments proved tlie sacrifice of the previous evening unjustifiable,

and Mason’s resignation resulted on the forty-third move. Hamel v. Barnes, Scotch Gambit.— Hamel defended Avell to the fortyninth move, where Barnes gained ground, and Hamel resigned. J. Mason v. Clelland, Guioco Piano. —Mason defended Avitli precision, and gained three pawns at intervals, finally succeeding in promoting a paAvn one move ahead. Clelland resigned on the sixty-third move. Forsyth v. Kelling, KingSs Gambit declined.—After exciting play, Kelling steered clear of exchanges and sundry pitfalls, and won tAA'o minor pieces for a rook. The ex-champion lowered his flag on the thirty-fifth move. EIGHTH ROUND. The eighth round commenced on Saturday afternoon, the first-named in each instance bavins: the first move. Adair v. Davies, Two Knights Defence. —Adair floundered into a weak position at the fourteenth move, when Davies had a knight posted at K b 5 and a rook commanding an open file' on the king’s knight’s pawn. After Avhite castling on the king’s side, Adair resigned on move thirty-three, inevitable mate or heavy loss threatening. Barnes v. Edwards, Sicilian Defence. —EdAvards’s fifth move Avas weak. In endeaA'ouring to relieve the stress he alioAved a rook to go for a bishop. Subsequently he placed a knight en prise by an oversight, and resigned on move thirty-four. AY. E. Mason A'. Gifford, Ruy Lopez. —Gifford’s endeavour to secure a pawn in the development cost him a piecA four moves later. On the twenty-se-cond move Mason lost a piece by an oversight, but he regained a pawn, which he forced to a AArin on the fortyfifth move.

Pleasants v. Clelland, Ruy Lopez.— Clelland defended solidly, but Pleasants underrated the power of advancing K r paAA'n, which pinned his bishop. Faltering play on Clelland’s part enabled Pleasants to regain a piece, with strong attack and winning chances. It wag noAV Pleasants’s turn to blunder onoo more, and he surrendered on the thirtyninth move.

Forsyth v. J. Mason, French Defence, —Mason adopted his usual stonewall tactics, which Forsyth cleA'erly comb :ed, and a dull, even, game resulted until forces were reduced to seven paAA'ns each and a knight and a rook against a knight and a bishop. Neither could force the paAvn breastwork without risk, so a draw Avas agreed on. Kelling v. Hamel, Scotch Game.—ln a peppery skirmish, Kelling secured a freer game. Hamel’s scouting knight getting out of range of his supports, enabled Kelling to harass his retreat, and obtain a winning advantage, AA'hich he pushed successfully, and announced mate in two, on the thirty-fourth move.

B. Mason v. Milas, Ruy Lopez.—This game reached the forty-third move before a pawn was captured, the position being close, and admitting of complioad> ed manoeuvres. Rapid exchanges followed, leaving two knights against two bishops. The pawn position was such that neither could break through, and a draw was agreed to on the fifty-second move.

The folloAving is the score at tli© end of the eighth round:—Davies, won 0, lost 2; Miles, 5-1 —21; B. Mason, 5-1 —■ 21; Baines, 51 —11 ; Clelland, 5—3• Forsyth, 41-—2-1; Pleasants, 4r—4; W. E. Mason, 4—3; Gifford, 4—3; J. Mason, 31 —31; Kelling, 3 —5 ; Edwards, 1-1 —1>1; Hamel, 11 —61; Adair, I—7l-1 —71Baines and Forsyth, and J. Mason and W. E. Mason have yet. to play off unfinished games. NINTH ROUND. Gifford v. Cleland, Ruy Lopez.—Gifford’s weak play allowed Cleland to win a pawn on the eleventh, and a piece on the thirteenth move, with an indefensible attack. Gifford’s resignation was forced on the twenty-sixth move. Miles v. Barnes, Rify Lopez.—Miles pushed a solid attack, and Barnes resigned on the thirty-third move. The game is entered for the brilliancy prize. Edwards v. Davies, Kang’s Bishop’s Gambit. —Davies resigned on the fiftyfirst move.

W. E. Mason v. Adair, French Defence. —The game was followed irregularly, enabling Mason to get his knights into his opponents ranks, and gain two pawns in quick succession. At the thirty-fourth move Adair resigned. Kelling v. Pleasants, Scotch Gambit. —Kelling lost a knight on the fourteenth move, but staved off disaster for a long time by shutting his opponent’s queen out of play. Eventually the queen was set free at the cost of a pawn. Pleasants then quickly built up a fine attack, obtaining Keliing’s resignation on the fortieth move.

Forsyth v. B. Mason, French Defence. —Unfinished. Each has a rook, knight, and three pawns. J. Mason v. Hamel, Centre Counter Gambit.—Un finished.

Scores at end of ninth round :—Miles C)\- wins, Davies 6, Oleland 6, B- Mason 51, Barnes 51, Forsyth 51, W. E. Mason Pleasants 5, J. Mason 4£, Gifford 4, Kelling 3, Hamel 11, Adair 11.

OAMARU, January *3. Following games were played to-day at the chess championship:—

TENTH ROUND. Gifford v. Kelling (centre counter Gambit). —The opening resulted in a slightlycramped game for Kelling, from which he emerged two pawns up. A blunder at the twentieth move cost Gifford a rook and he resigned on the twenty-fifth move. Pleasants v. Barnes (Ruy Lopez). Barnes adopted the Reeves defence, and a game full of interest resulted. Barnes was kept on the defensive, missing a crushing variation. At move tweny-one Pleasants adopted another which resulted in Barne’s resignation on the twentyeighth move. The game is entered for the brilliancy prize. Miles v. W. E. Mason (Ruy Lopez).— When the game got out of the book Mason went in for exchange. With advantage in position Mason secured victory on the forty-fourth move. Cleland v. Davies (Queen's Gambit declined). —Weak play by Davies enabled Cleland to win two pawns with a good game, Cleland being pushed for time in an intricate position enabled Davies to sacrifice an exchange for a tvinning attack which disposed of Cleland on the thirty-seventh move. -

Hamel v. B. Mason (Petroff’s defence). — The book was followed for a dozen moves, leaving Hamel a strong centre attack to combat, which Mason exchanged off major pieces except bishop and knight. A weak move cost Hamel a pawn. With only two pawns each le f t, Mason secured opposition, and Hamel resigned. Edwards v. J. Mason (French defence). —Mason won a pawn on the 12th move. Later Edwards decided on a risky attack, losing two more pawns, and finally the game.

Adair v. Forsyth (Giuoco piano)—Forsyth. got all the worst of the opening. With a bad game to defend, Adair, pushed for time, played weakly, enabling Forsyth to recov'er, and gaining advantage force, and position. Adair resigned on the fifty-sixth move. Following is the score at the conslusion of the tenth round: —Davies 7 wins, Miles 64, B. Mason 64, W. E. Mason 6, Pleasants 6, Cleland 6. Barnes 54, Forsyth 54, J. Mason 54. Gifford 4, Kelling 4, Edwards 24, Hamel 14, Adair 4B. Mason, Barnes, J. Mason, and Hamel have unfinished games, Forsyth having two to finish. ELEVENTH ROUND.

B. Mason v. Edwards (Sicilian defence). —Edwards lost a pawn at the eighteenth move, another later, and with two bishops against two . rooks Mason pushed the attack, jnating on the fortieth move.

J. Mason v. Pleasants (Zukertort). — Pleasants has a pawn down with no attack in compensation. The game promises little to either side.

Kelling v. Adair (French defence). — From a good position gained in opening Adair's attempt to force the attack cost him a piece for a pawn, which he cannot easily recover.

Barnes v. Gifford (English open-ng).— Gifford defended well, winning a pawn with check on twenty-third move. The position is interesting. Cleland v. W. E. Mason (Queen's Gambit). —A close hazardous game has advanced to thirty-fourth move with Cleland a pawn down. Hamel v. Davies (Scotch Gambit). — Sparring tactics have advanced the game to the twenty-fifth move with even position.

Miles v. Forsyth (centre counter Gambit). —Forsyth has trapped a pawn which will be difficult to retain. The game is even.

OAMARU, January 5. Following is the result of the play in the twelfth round :

Edwards v. Kelling (centre counter gambit).—Kelling gave up a pawn for an attack, which yielded a rook for knight. Exciting play followed, moves being made at a gallop. Edwards surrendered a bishop in the hope of perpetual check, but Kelling found an outlet, and as he was a root up Edwards resigned at move thirty-six. Gifford v. Hamel (centre counter gambit). —The game developed equally to the 24th move, where Hamel gained a pawn, which Gifford soon recovered with a strong attack. This led to the gain of a piece, and Hamel resigned at the thirtyfifth move.

Barnes v. Cleland (Ruy Lopez).—A hardfought, give-and-take game, with Cleland slightly cramped, proceeded to the twentieth move, where Cleland lost a valuable pawn, leaving his opponent with a passed pawn. At move thirty-two Barnes gave away liis queen through an oversight, and resigned. R. Mason v. ..Pleasants (Ruy Lopez).— The book was fbllowed for a while, and an even game proceeded to the twentyninth move, Pleasants having six moves to put in in three minutes, made a hurried move, which cost him a knight, with a collapsed position, and he resigned on the thirty-third move. W, E. Mae»>n v. Forsyth (Ruy Lopez).— The game was well fought and even to an advanced stage. Forsyth’s position then became cramped, and half his forces were compulsorily inert, Mason triumphed on the fifty-seventh move. Miles v. Davies (Ruy Lopez).—One of the toughest games of the tourney reached the 45th move without any advantage being obtained on either side. Davies at last secured a passed pawn, which enabled him to win on the sixtieth move.

Adair v. J. Mason (four knights).—A perfectly even game was followed up without advantage to the fiftieth move, when Mason secured two pawns. Adair then began to falter, and, missing a chance to draw, resigned on the sixtyfourth move.

The and last round commences in the morning. The following is the score at the conclusion of the twelfth round: —Davies, 9 wins; B. Mason, ; W. E. Mason, 8; J. Mason, 8; Miles, 7:V; Cleland. 7; Pleasants, 7; Forsyth. Gifford. (5; Barnes, 6£; Kelling, s^; Edwards, 21; Hamel, 2; Adair, 1. OAMARU, January 5.

The final round of , the chess tournament was commenced this morning, and concluded this evening. Pleasants beat Hamel on the twentieth move.

Barnes v. Forsyth.—This game (adjourned at the eightieth move) was continued with Forsyth one pawn up. At move eighty-seven Forsyth missed a certain draw by P to K 8 queen's instead of P to Q 6. Wiith the possibility of a win Forsyth resigned on the ninety-seventh move. FINAL ROUND. Gifford v. J. Mason (Petroff’s defence). —. Having castled opposite sides Gifford initiated a strong attack, which Mason defended well, winning a piece for a pawn, and forcing two rooks. Gifford resigned on the thirtieth move. W. E. Mason v. Edwards (Sicilian defence). —Mason lost a pawn in opening, but got the attack. Edwards sacrificed the exchange for counter-attack, placing snags in Mason's path. The positions, however, became gradually reversed, and Edwards’s i-esignatiou resulted on the sixty-fourth move. Davies v. Forsyth (Greco counter). —The game proceeded evenly to the eighteenth move, when Forsyth's weak move enabled Davies to win exchange. Forsyth played a very defensive game, but Davies gradually forced the game to a winning position and secured the championship of the colony by Forsyth’s resignation on the fifty-sixth move.

Kelling v. Miles (Scotch gambit).—Kelliug won queen for rook and knight on tin 29th move, but afterwards lost the exchange. A desperate ending ensued. Miles might have drawn *or won, but missed the opportunity, and resigned on move forty-eight, mate in four being unavoidable.

B. Mason v. Cleland (Buy Lopez).— Careful play advanced the game without advantage to the twenty-eighth move, where Cleland lost a pawn and another later. With these two pawns passed, Cleland was unable to stop one queening, and resigned on the 57th move. Adair v. Barnes (Giuoco piano). —The game proceeded evenlv to the middle of the gome, when Blarnes won a pawn, but failed to make the most of his position, and exchange of pieces gave Adair perpetual check on the forty-sixth move. The game was drawn. THE SCORES. The following figures denote the number of games won by each candidate: Davies ... ... ... ... 10 B. Mason ... ... ... ... 04' W. E. Mason ... 9 J. Mason . 9 Barnes ... ... ... ... 7 Cleland ... ... 7 Pleasants ... ... 7 Forsyth ... ... 64 Kelling ... ... ... ... 64 Gifford 6 Edwards ... ... ... ... 24 Hamel 2 Adair 14 The first prize is ,£2O, the second £lO, third £5, fourth £2.