CHESS COLUMN.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXIII, Issue 7323, 26 September 1898, Page 4

CHESS COLUMN.

All correspondence on the subject ofChess most be addressed to the" Chess Editor, Oamaru Mail,' solutions to problems must be sent in not later than Saturday night. We shall be glad to receive original problems for onr column. We shall be glad to publish any games sent tons. They must not exceed 40 to 50 moves, as our space is necessarily limited. The] Oamaru Chess Club meets every Tuesday and Friday evening at Mrs Landell's Temperance Hotel. Visitors are cordially invited. September 26, 1898. Solution of Problem No. 402. By F. Bonner Feast, First prize in Leeds Mercury. Position: White : K on Q B 4, Q on Q 6, E on Q B 2, B on Q R 8, Kt on K B 4 and K 2, P on KKt4 Black : K on K 6, R on K R 7, Kt on Q R 3, P on K 4 and Q R 2 White to play and mate in two moves. WHIM. BLACK. Key move— Q to K B 8 Any Mate accordingly Solution of Problem No. 403. By E. Pradignat, Position: Specially commended in the Eighth Problem Tourney of the British Chess Magazine. White: Kon QKt6,Qon Q2, B on K B 8 and Q 7, Kt on Q B 5, P on K R 5, K B 7 and Q B 6 Black : K on K 4, B on K R 2, Kt on K R 6 and K B 4 White to play and mate in three moves, WHITE. BLACK. 1 B to K 6 Kt to K B 5 2 Q to Q 6 ch K takes Q 3 B mates

Problem No. 404. By Max J. Meyer, Prize for best two-mover sent in to the Football Field during six months.

WHITE. White : K on Q R 4, Q on K B sq, R on K Kt 6, Kt on K R 7 and Q R 2, B on K R 8 and Q Kt 3, P on K R 6, K Kt 2, K B 5 and Q 2 Black : K on K 5, R on K R 4 and 5, Kb on KKt 8, B on Q Kt 5, P on Q 2 and Q R 4 White to play and mate in two move 3. Pboblem'No. 405. By A. Field, From the Illustrated London News. BL&.CK.

ViiliTE. White: Kon K Kt 7, Qon Q R2, R on Q R 5, B on K 8 and Q 8, Kt on K 7, V on K B 5, K 3 and Q. 3 Black : K on Q 3, B on K Kt 7, Kt on Q B 6 and Q Kt 6, P on Q B 4 White to play and mate in two moves. Oa3iabu v. Christchurch. The following ending occurred at Board 17 : Mr W. Williamson (Oamaru)

Mr T. E. Fraser (Christchurch) Black to play The game was continued : WHITE. BLACK. P to R 4 ch K to Kt 3 a K. to K 3 R checks K to B 4 R to Q 2 K to Q 5 R to Q sq R takes P R takes K K takes R P to B 5 P takes P I K to B 4 ! At this stage play ceased and the game j goes for adjudication. There is no doubt of the result—a win for Oamaru. | a Bad, K to B 3 was better; but Black has an advantage. OAMARU v. CHRISTCHURCH.

The match between teams representing the above clubs was concluded on Saturday evening, the 24th, in the old Korero rooms. Eleven games were finished, and of these Christchurch has scored 5 wins, Oamaru 4, and 2 were drawn by mutual consent. The first draw was at Board 1, where no play was possible on Saturday owing- to Mr Hunter being indisposed. Under the circumstances, Mr King consented to draw. The second was at Board 2, where most of the material was off and position even. Of the seven unfinished games which will be sent for adjudication, Christchurch has an advantage at two, while Oamaru will probably secure two, and the remaining three may be drawn. Canterbury should win the match by, oh a or two gajies. The northern team's play on Saturday was forcible and free from blunders, but the local men were not so fortunate, several oversights occurring that must cost the matcli. Oamaru was seriously handicapped through Mr Lee (one of the foremost players) being unable to take part. True Christchurch had not the services of Mr * Hookham, but there are maßy members to come and go upon In the northern clnb, while the Oamaruvians played within two of their full list of members. Votes of thanks were passed to all who had undertaken duties in the match, ana the Telegraph Department and officials in particular for kindnesses extended. The following is a resume of the work afc each board : Board No. 1: Messrs W. Hunter (Christchnrcb) and W. S. K"ing (Oamaru) —Mr Hunter being indisposed on Saturday, a draw was agreed to Board No. 2: Messrs F. W. .Clayton Oamaru) and H. Andersen (Christchnrch) — A Giuoco Piano attack. Mr Clayton, by good play, won a pawn, but we think he

erted afterwards in fcrcing too many tx changes, the final result; of which was that his opponent) got back the; piwn, and then offered a draw, which Mr Clayton accepted. Board No. 3: Messrs JI Milner (Chriatchnrch) and C. Banks (Oamaru) Scotch, Gambit. Mr Milner adopted that form of. attack which gives Black the gambit pawn while White proceeds. 4 Bto 84. A very fine game was played by Mr Milner,- and Black's defence resources were taxed to the utmost. A weak move in a critical position coat Mr Banks Queen for Book, whereupon he resigned Board No. 4: Messrs G. Jackman (Oamaru) and A. L. Smith (christchurch) — Sicilian Defence. Mr Jackman sacrificed a pawn for attack, which never eventuated j in fact, his game was seriously compromised at the end of first night's play, though the Christchnrch reports gave him credit for a good game. Mr jackman defended well till near the close of play when, we think, by a weak move, his game became untenable. The lesson given shows the folly of throwing a pawn at a strong opponent, nnless there is some hope of gain in doing so Board No. 5 : Mr A. Cant (Chrlstchurch) and Archdeacon Gonld (Oamaru) - A Ruy Lopez opening. In the middle of a fine game, by a most unfortunate oversight, the local player gave away a piece ; though unfinished the position will probably be fswarded to Canterbury Board No. 6 : Messrs G. Bolton (Oamaru) and J. G. L. Scott (Christohttrch) —Giuoco Piano opening, game fairly level. Mr Bolton has his opponent under attack, but there is not much in it; we think White might have attacked with more vigor, for Black's Queen's side was weak. A probable draw Board No. 7: Messrs A. H Bennett (Christchnrch) and E. T. Earl, (Oamaru) — Queen's Gambit Declined, with position all in favor of Christchurch. In justice to Mr Earl, we must say he was suffering from a severe cold, and it would have been better had he followed the Canterbury captain's (Mr Hunter) course, and not played on Saturday Board No. 8: Measrs W. D. Burns (Oamaru) and G. H. Clntten (Christchnrch) —The northerner adopted the French Defence. Mr Burns had an easy win in hand, and oa threatening mate received his opponent's resignation Board Ro. 9 : Messrs J. Spiller (Christchurch and M'Donald (Oamaru) Sicilian Defence. The game is unfinished and" result doubtful, for Mr M'Donald is a pawn down Board No. 10: Messrs H. Mowbray (Oamaru) and E. Hardcastle (Christchurch) —A Giuoco Piano opening. Mr Mowbray played a winning game all through, and received the northern resignation in due course Board No. 11: Messrs H. Nightingale (Christchurch) and E. H. Davis (Oamaru) — A Ruy Lopez opening, with positions even. This game gave the idea that the opponents were waiting for each other to come on. As neither would do so, the pawn soldiers have been having a good time watching their superior officers growling at the enemy from a safe point of vantage We think, however, that the gime is slightly in favor of Oamaru. Board No. 12 : Dr Garland (Oamaru) and Mr H. G. Lane (Christchnrch)—A French I'efence was adopted by Mr Lane. Dr Garland played a good, careful game, is a piece up, and should win on adjudication Board No. 13: Messrs W. H. Joyce (Christchurch) and D. L. Patterson (Oamaru) —English opening —An interesting game, Christchurch playiDg strong and well; ultimately Mr Patterson resigned, for his opponent had won a rook" with a powerful attack Board No. 14: Messrs J. Taylor (Camaru) and T. J. Maling (Christchurch) —A Scotch Gambit. This game showed an advantage to Mr Taylor on resuming, and he scored a win in good style, being a rook and two pa' sed pawns up Board No. 15: Messrs H. J. Bennett (Christchurch) and H. H. 0. Ra'fe (Oamaru) —Queen's Pawn opening, with a level play till Saturday, when Mr Ralfe's game went to pieces, and he resigned This is Mr Ralfe's first loss ia telegraph match games. 1 Board No. 16 : Mr E. F. Armstrong (Oamaru) and Vev. C. Turrell (Christchurch) —A Giuoco Piano. Fine work by Mr Turrell broke up his opponent's game, and Mr Armstrong, seeing defeat inevitable, sent on his resignation Board No, 17: Messrs T. E. Eraser (Christchnrch) and W. Williamson (Oamaru) —Kuy Lopez opening, even game to the position given on diagram above ; Mr Williamson wins easily on adjudication Bcurd No. 18: Messrs J. H. Rice (Oamaru) and J. Andersen (Christchurch) — Kuy Lopez opening. Mr Rice got a slight grip on on Saturday evening ; this he never relaxed till he forced his opponent to resign