CHESS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 5164, 4 January 1904, Page 6

CHESS.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT.

The public rolled up in large numbers to Aviinc'.s Saturday’s play, union was of excep i-oii.il interest. The two Masons are at pnvtnt loading, Forsyth and Sandford being in cfo.-e aCcndauce. Adair has fallen back t-i.unewhal. through tailing in the later rounds. Those who are keeping a tally Wellington v. visitors will note that tlie local eight have notched 111 wins to the visitors’ i. three games Jiaving been, drawn. Mr .Browns pnoto oi iHo competitors was on view, ami was greatly admired. Hr F. J. Mount, me able eftoss editor of the “Otago H itJie: s, who lino been working hard in Cahna-s cause sineo the opening day, returned Soutit by Saturday's boat. Be was accorded a hearty farewell. Anyone who heard the playeis relieving the monotony with a debaro on the question “If an irresistible force comes into contact with an immovable object, what happens: will not require to bo told what a welcome change yesterday’s outing to Day s Bay proved. The outstanding game between Messrs Brown and Davies was lin.vhcd on Friday, and proved the longest in tho tourney, Mr Davies winning in 103 moves. Tho ninth round was commenced on Saturday morning, and tho tenth at 7 p.m. NINTH BOUND.

Davies (Wellington) v. Adair (Oamaru). —Falkboer counter gambit. At move ten. Davies won knight by threatening queen. Later Adair lost a .bishop while under time-pro‘.sure —having to make five moves in two rainutei?, Davies .was thus able to put in some severe moves, and scored at move forty-one. W, E. Mason (Wellington (J.C.) v. L. Miles (Auckland).—Queen’s gambit declined. Mason won a pawn early,, and held it. to the finish, but could only manage to draw* at move eighty-three. Brown (Wellington W.M. Club) v. Edwards (Otago 'C.O.I—A rapidly played Kuv Lopez, with, early departure from tho books. Mr Edwards quickly won the exchange, rook for knight. This advantage he gave up to secure an extra pawn, which enabled him to win comfortably. The winner’s forty-eighth moves only consumed 27 oninutes. Pleasants (Bangitikei) v. John Mason (Timaru). Queen’s . gambit declined. IMcmmts at first won two pawns and had the belter game, but later on the clock worried him, as he had to make ten moves in eight minutes. To save his bacon ho made'hasty moves, which landed him in a moss, and enabled his opponent to score an easv win. •Mackay (Wellington C.C.) v. Woodford (Canterbury C.C.)—The latter tried the queen to bishop three defence to the Buy Lopez, but it availed him not, Mackay winning a rook at movo fourteen and the game seven moves later. ' Friberg (raimersion North) v. Connell (Wellington).—A Buy i.opez. Very well contested for a long, time.' Eventually Connell gradually worked up a fine attack with two ropks and bishop, a series of tolling moved ending in FTiberg’s defeat at move thirty-seven.

Sandford (Wellington) v. Grierson (Auckland). Sicilian Fianchotto. defence. An exchange of pawns aim knights followed by a pin secured at move sixteen ft para for (lie Northerner. This advantage ho held till the end game, when he offered, an exchange of rooks, which, however, turned out adversely. Both players obtained queens, which SandfonTchanged- off, and then went for a third queen. As the pawn could not be stopped, Grierson at move sixty-four resigned a very stubbornly contested game, in which his opponent exhibited the fighting characteristics for which John Bull is famous.

D. Forsvth (Otago C.C.) v. R. .T. Barnes (Wellington W.M. Club).—King’s gambit was declined, and turned into Falkbeer counter gambit., At move thirteen Forsyth gave up knight for'pawn, a sacrifice which was not sound, but ns his opponent did not find the weak link horsy lb got away wjth the exchange and tiro pawns plus. This advantage enabled Forsyth to win at move twentytwo. TENTH ROUND. Round ten was commenced at 7-p.m., three games being finished before operations closed for the week. The results were as follows: — f Woodford v. W. B. Mason. Guioco Piano. The former pldyod splendidly up to move twenty-seven, when a slip enabled Mason to win two pawns and the exchange. Woodford, resigned shortly afterwards.

D. Forsyth v. Mackay.—Hero Forsyth at last found a man plucky enough to accept his' oft-piotforod gambit. Mr Forsyth out-played his “blither Scot” for 'a pawn at the outset, and thus resumes this (Monday) morning with a slight advantage. Davies v. Grierson.—As in the forenoon, Grierson played his favourite Sicilian Fiauchetto defence. The game was adjourned at‘ll.3o, Davies having a pawn to the good. *“"■■■, „ , , . Miles V. Sandford.—Petroff defence. The latter, although a pawn to. the good, in the end game offered a draw. Miles, however, preferred to'-.resume pfay this morning. _ _ Connell v. .Adair.—Huy Lopez. Very even game. • Move sealed at 11.30 p.m., each having rook, three pawns and a minor piece. Drown v. Fribarg.—Euy Lopez. The first nine moves were according to champion Lasker. Some of Iho lator ones were not. Brown resigned a hopeless game at,move thirty-seven, having previously .had to give up queen for rook and pawn to. avoid mate in two. Edwards■ v. John Mason.—French defence. - The latter’s game was the much more compact of the two, and he led by two pawns when the move was sealed. Pleasants v. Barnes.—lrregular opening. Barnes won a pawn at move eighteen, and a second one at move twenty. Tho'position being .untenable, Pleasants resigned forthwith. POSITION TO DATE. .

Won. Lost. Unfinished Mason, TV. E. ' ... SiH 0 Mason, John. ... 7i n 1 Forsyth, D. ... 6£ 2i X Sandford, TV. C. ... 6 3 I Barnes, R. J. ... 6 4 0 Edwards, ,T. ... 31 1 Adair, F. ... 5 4 1 Bavies, 0. TV. A..... 5 4 1 Fribarpr, N. ... 5 5 0 Connell, J. A. ... 4J, 1 Grierson, J, C. ... 4 5 1 Miilcs, E. J. ... 3i 5-V 1 Plcasantw, 0. C. ... 3A 4 0 Mackay. TV. ... 3 6 X Brown. TV. ... 1 9 0 TVoodford, F. ... -J 9J 0