INTERNATIONAL CHESS CONGRESS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13786, 27 December 1906, Page 9

INTERNATIONAL CHESS CONGRESS.

RECORD ENTRIES. (Pur United Pkess Association'.) CHRISTCHURCH, December 26, The annual Ohcss Congress in connection with tho Now Zealand Chess Association was opened in tho Chamber of Commerce this morning. This is the special International Congress promoted in connection with tho Exhibition, the congress having been thrown open to the world, instead of being confined to resident' New foa'anders. The Deputy Mayor (Mr (I. Payling) apologised for the absence of the Jlayor on account of continued ill-health. Ho eaid that, the gathering was a uniiplo one in the •history of chc&s in New Zealand in that there were present champions from other parts of the world who were prepared to tost their skill against Nc»v Zealand players. Ifc did not. think that the colony would be found lo be behind when ilie tournament had been coneludcd, since it had a reputation for holding its own in every form of sport. He welcomed the visitors on be•half of the city, and expressed the hope that their stay in Chrietchuroh would bo pleasant and profitable. There was no more scientific amusement than chess, or one more calculated to develop the faculties which wero valuable in the various walks of life. Mr J. Spillcr, ou behalf of I ho Canterbury Chess Club, also welcomed the visitors. He said that some of those present, were known throughout I lie world as eliiiw players, and it was most gratifying that the entries should have Iven so great. The competitors included the champion of Australia, the champion of New South Wales, and a representative from the Argentine. The entry was a record one so far as New Zealand and Australia wero concerned. Mr M. Cray, M.H.R., also spoke briefly. Ho said that at present all roads seamed to lead to Christclmrch. Players and sportsmen of.all classes and kinds were assembling in the city. He placed the game of chess head and shoulders "above all other games no a game of intellect. The rabbi of Duncdin (tho Rev. A. T.. Chodowski) expressed the good wishes of the Otago Chess Club. He regretted that the. congress had not been held in the Exhibition Buildings, but he presumed that the explanation lay in the fact that tlie authorities were not chess players. He wished the gathering every success. Mr C. R. Bainsbury (the representative of the Argentine) returned thanks on bclulf of the oversea visitor; He.said that ho was a Now ZeaInndcr torn and bred, and was iiroud of the fact. All the visitors appreciated tho welcomo accorded them, and he could say that if lie did not win himself he would like to seo tho championship fall lo a Now Zealander. After the formal opening the competitors met and fixed tins hours of play as followsi-Morning, 9.30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; afternoon, 2.15 p.in, to 5.45 p.m.; evening, '7 p.m. to 30.30 p.m.; movers to be seaed 15 minutes before the adjournment. Pay was commcncd with tho first round ai. 2.30 p.m. follows:—J. O. Gricrson (Auckland) v. .J. Edwards (Otago), Claude K. Sainsburv (Argentine) v. A. Gifford (Wcstport), ]',lako Mason (Lower Huttj v. T. Sexton (Wnimiru), F. li. Koilinir (Wellington) v. 0. C. Pleasants IRangitikei), .1. Mason CWW.inßton) v. H. L. .Tames (Wellington), S. Oraclienthorpe (New South Walts) v. D. Forsyth lOtago), W. 8. Yiner (Perth. W.A.I v. F. Hummer (Masterton), P>. Parker (Wellington) v. J. R. Cumniings (Canterbury), R. J. ii-irru ll - (Wellington) v.

M, S. Sloivart (Canterbury), 0. W. A. Davies (Wellington) v. ATchdcacon- Gouki (Oamaru), liov. 11, B. Wingfield (Auckland) a. bye. Iliis constitutes a. record in oongresi meet iiigs for Australasia. iTho Canterbury Chess Club lias been working very hard to arrango for tho Australian ohampion (Mr , Til") compete in the congress, ami it is satisfactory to find that ilieir efforts wore successful; and, further, that Mr 8. Craekenbhorpe, the champion of New South \\ aire—between whom and Mr Ymer amatch is pending for the championship of Australia. nn ,| which was deferred to enable Mr Vinci* to compels in i\ew Zealand Congress,—is also a. compel itor. With these competitors and Mr Claude Tl. Sainsbury, from Buenos Avrcs. South America, and tho Now Zealand chain* pion. R. J. Bnrncs (Wellington), and tho cx-champions—,T. Edwards (Otago), D. I'orsyUi (Otago). an<l J. C. Griarson (Auckland ,-lho present congress should provido tho b«t play yet seen in Now Zealand or Australia.

The game Crackenthorpe y. Forsvth beo|ch gtune) was conductcd on oldfashioned lines. Tho game was oven till lho_ sixteenth move, when Forsvth, by an unfortunate oversight, lost a knight for nothing thereby bringing a gamo which promised to be most, interesting to an early jinish. Mi- Crackenthorpe thus scored tho nrst win in the congress. Viner v. Rummer (Scotch game).—This Kimo was evon till the eleventh move, when t>t3ok COMIT navo improved Ill's gamo by exchanging a bishop for a blight, which woul.l ha-vo prevented the strong attack Which quickly followed, mul which forced a- resignation on the thirty-first move, tho Australian scoring the second win B. Mason v. Sexton (Potioff Defence).A most interesting position at the fourteentn move, when Sexton made a weak move, of which Mason took promol advantage, winning a piece. Although Sexton struggled gamely against defeat, his resignation came on the tweutr sixth move. J. Mason v. .Tames (Two ICnigbts' DofenceJ.—Mason played a cautious game, but; nio\e 7 was sojnwhat weak, and enabled: James to obtain tlie attack. Interesting play ensued up to (bo ;o;i adjournment, maternil and position beingr abont. equal. On resuming play Ja-mos -\vns pressed for time, and sonio hurried moves oost him tho pamo on iho thirty-sixth move. Grierson v. Fxlwards (Sicilian Defcnce). — An cvc-u gnmo tip lo fclio eighteenth move, when an exchange of piei?es enabled Grierson to win » jxiwn, and shortly after another, followed by a fork, which costi Jldwards Hie exchange. A little later, however, the latter worked up one of his tricky attacks. regained f-ho pawns, and, follow•ng with a check, won a rook for a bishop. By a pretfvtrap lie also won Grioraon's queen. Grierson struggled on till tho fortv-firsfc move.

Salisbury v. Gifford (Queen's Gambit).— A very own game throughout. Sainabury, on his sealed move, missed a chance of winning tho exchange and a pawn. A' hard struggle ensued, which ended in a draw bv pornetual check. v. Cummings (French Defence).— ■The opening fully develonod gave Cummings an advantage on the queen's side. On the Iw&nty-fiflh move Parker g.ivo up a piece for the attaok'on tho castled king, which oi-ojed so sound that it cost Cummings his queen and tho game, after a fine finish.

Kelliug v. Pleasants (French Defence).— A lot of nlay with all four knights. At' move 32 Pleasants gave up a rook for a mshon and two posted nawns. Ho should llicn have won comfortably, but a slip in tile end game allowed Kelling to emerge with a pawn to the good, and by accurate end play he obtained his opnonent's resignation in a stubborn g.tme of 55 moves, IJarnes v. Stewart (Frenoh Dofence).— This was thd longest came of the session and produced a. stubborn fight, play beintf even up to I ho evening adjournment; On resuniimr, Stewart won a niece for two nowns, but, owing to the champion's skilful playing of bis pawns in the end game. Stewart lia<l to sacrifice, a piece lo prevent 3 pawn queening, leaving Barnes with two clear pawns to lira good. Stewart resigned on tho eighty-second move after a. bard game.