CHESS TOURNEY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4847, 27 December 1902, Page 5

CHESS TOURNEY.

PLAY IN THE FIRST ROUND. ' PRESS ASSOCIATION. DUNEDIN, December 26. The first round of the championship chess tourney resulted as follows: — _ Board 1, Edwards v. Warsaw.—This was a centre counter gambit, and probably the most interesting and wellfought game of the series. Mr Warsaw, by steady plodding, ha-d two pawns to his credit. He made a strong attack on his opponent, and at one stage absolutely swept away Mr Edwards’s defence. Unfortunately, Mr Warsaw at the 47th move made an error "by moving a bishop to tiro wrong square. Had ho moved the bishop ono square further back he would have had a distinct advantage. In tho subsequent forcing of exchanges Mr Edwards gained the upper baud, and by brilliant play eventually forced Mr Warsaw to resign. Board 2, Mason v. Grierson.—Mr Marson played the Znkertort opening, the game proceeding on orthodox lines for some moves. On tho 14th move Mr Grierson overlooked Mr Mason’s threatened attack on his queon, losing it for a bishop and knight. Sir Mason gained a further advantage shortly afterwards, and keeping up this attack, announced “mate” in three on tho 43rd move. . , Board 3, Cashen v. Miles.—Mr Oasnon adopted tho Guiooo Piano opening. On tho 7th move Mr Miles failed to notice tho advance of a pawn, losing thereby a knight for two pawns. Mr Cashen following up his advantage, the first game to conclude terminated at 4.45 p.m. with tho resignation of Mr Miles.

Board 4, Forsyth .v. Balk.—Mr Balk defended with the Sicilian Defence, but Mr Forsyth had much the better opening. Afterwards, tho latter permitted exchanges, which led to equality, aud afterwards made a move which should have cost him tlio game. Mr Balk, however, made a more serious miscalculation, by which he lost his queen, and had consequently to resign on the 50th move. Tho game lasted over four hours and a half. - Board 5, Rolling v. Barnes. —Mr Rolling opened with the Ruy Lopez. This led to a stubborn contest, both players being at different stages pressed for time. At tho later period of tho game Mr Barnes had a bishop and five pawns to Mr Rolling’s knight and two pawns. The game was concluded near midnight, and resulted in a win for Mr Barnes after seven hours aud threequarters’ play. Mr Rolling was complimented on the fine defence he made.