CHESS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 5474, 31 December 1904, Page 9

CHESS.

PLAY AT THE TOURNEY. PRESS ASSOCIATION. OAMARU, December 30. The sixth round was concluded this afternoon. A surprise was afforded by Killing's victory over Cloland. 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 r. Cleland, Scotch Gambit. — Imnroved play on Kell ng’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. KoUing’s being tho more advanced, he secured first promotion. Oleland, seeing this was inevitable, resigned on the fiftyfourth move. B. Mason v. Gifford, French Defence. —Mason instituted a feint on tho queen’s side, which was repulsed without loss. Mason soon secured au advantage in position, and pushed a vigorous attack. Pinning his opponent’s queen, h© forced Gifford’s resignation on the thirty-ninth move. J. Mason v. Miles, Zukertort.—Mason’s favourite opening. Miles’s resouroefulness maintained Ire© scope, yet the position was difficult for immediate attack on either' side with even forces. Improving Ins position, Mason won pawn and tho exchange, and afterwards announced mate in two. Adair v. Edwards, Sicilian Defence.— Edwards’s penchant for lively attack secured him a knight for two pawns, with strong possibilities ofsuccess, which ho followed up without'serious danger. The coup de grace was accelerated by Adair lett.ng a bishop go for a pawn, in,the hope of promoting others. Barnes v. Forsyth, Ruy Lopez.— Rather timid defensive play gave Forsyth a crannied position, which he skilfully manoeuvred’ against a strong fusilade. An attacking bi-hop fell for a pawn in an attempt to promote “seal moves.” which leaves him in possession of the fortress till a future day. Hamel v. W. E. Mason, Petroff’s Defence.—Hamel adopted a variation, which forced an exchange of queens. Mason proceeded to lay a trap, which would cost his opponent the exchange. On the twenty-third move Hamel resigned. Pleasants v. Davies, Buy Lopez.— With the pieces in skirmishing order th© game had reached the twentieth move, With no apparent advantage on either side. Pleasants, however, had a masked battery in readiness, and cleverly forced Davies’s resignation on the twenty-ninth move. This game is the third competitor for the Brilliancy prize. SEVENTH ROUND. This round commenced in the evening. All the games were well advanced at the adjournment. Davies v. Gifford, Buy Lopez.—'Gifford defended well, and the gam© was 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. Edwards v. Miles, King’s Bishop’s Gambitl— Edwards won a piece, but let it go again, and on the forty-second move the forces were even, and the position on© which required generalship to convert into victory for either. ‘ Pleasants v. W. B. Mason, Buy Lopez.—An even game developed to the eighteenth move, where Mason sacrificed a bishop for two pawns. The game is full of possibilities, but apparently even. Hamel v. Barnes, Scotch Gambit.— Barnes captu ed a pawn in opening, and another later with 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. Kelling, King’s_ Gambit declined.—Forsyth outplayed his. opponent for a pawn, but afterwards lost a b.shop for two pawns. He has now four pawns for . the bishop, hut his king’s rook is fenced out of the fray. The attack lies with Kelling, who has ©very prospect of preventing th© remaining pawns, hitherto inert, from becoming troublesome.

The following is the result at the conclusion of the sixth round:—Davies, won 44, lost It ; Oeland, 4—2; Miles, 4—2; Forsyth, 4—l; Barnes. 34—14; Gifford. 34 — 24- B. .Mason, W. B. Mason, 3—2; Pleasants, 3—3; Hamel, 14 -44; Adair, 14—34; J. Mason, 2—3; Edwards, 14—4; Kelling, I—s,1 —5, and one game unfinished. W. E. Mason and J. Mason, game unfinished.