CHESS CONGRESS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 9185, 6 January 1891, Page 2

CHESS CONGRESS.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP DECIDED. NINTH DAY. The ten competitors were photographed by Messrs Wriggleaworth and Binns at 10.30 a.m. yesterday, and as very little of the morning session was left, the only game commenced in the morning was that between Messrs Hookham and o!livier. The former had the move, and played the Zukertort opening. The position was even at the eleventh move, which Mr Hookham sealed. At the 5.30 adjournment Mr Hookham led by a pawn. Later on Mr Hookham had two clear pawns to the good, and Mr Olliyier resigned, being unable to stop him queening. Mr R. J. Barnes had the move against Mr W. Brown, the Scotch gambit being played by the first-named. Mr Barnes won a pawn at move IS, and the exchange (rook for bishop) at move 27. With this dual advantage Mr Barnes rapidly forced the game, his opponent resigning at move 35. Mr Monat opened against Mr Edwards, the Danish gambit baing brought forth for tho first time in the Congress. At move 19 the latter lost ground in a series of exchanges by first taking with a knight instead of a bishop. Mr Monat thus having the advantage of rook against knight had no difficulty in registering a win. The game only occupied an hour and five minutes. Mr Siedeberg replied to Mr Littlejohn with the French defence. The former sacrificed a pawn at move IS, but had the freer game at the 5.30 adjournment. He was, however, pressed for time, hia oiook having run, it is alleged, for seven minutes when it was not his tarn to move. At move 3G, Mr Littlejohn, who is recovering from his indisposition, came out of a skirmish with a bishop to the good. His opponent, in order to get a draw by perpetual check, cleverly left hia queen eu prize, bat the bait was not accepted. Queening a pawn at move 40, Mr Littlejohn had won at move 45. Messrs Bolton and Brown, both o! the Working Men’s Club, played their game, the former having the move. The latter played the two Knights defence. At move 30 the positions were even, bat Mr Brown

gradually got the attack, and mated at move 38.

The championship is now decided in favour of Mr R. P. Barnes, who is a member of both the local Chess Clubs, but is representing the Wellington Chess Club. His score is seven wins and two defeats. This is the first time the championship has not been held by a Christchurch representative. Messrs Hookham and Ollivier (of Christchurch), and Mr Siedeberg (of Dunedin), each with three defeats, are all together for second place, which will bo decided by the two games still nnplayed, Littlejohn v Bolton and Ollivier v Brown. To-night the match North v South will commence at 7.30, each Island contributing 5 representatives.