CHESS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17093, 27 August 1917, Page 7

CHESS

MATCH BY TELEGRAPH.

A chess match by telegraph was commenced on Saturday evening between the Wellington and Otago Chess Clubs. The games were to havo been started at 6 o clock, but owing to an unavoidable! delay it was nearer 7 o'clock beforo a start was made. Wellington won the toss, and therefore had whito at the odd boards. Play was continued until midnight, but on tho majority _ of boards no definite result has been arrived at. Wellington has one clear win, as Otago's player on board 2 had to resign. Mr G. H. Cluttan umpired at Wellington for Otago, and Mr D. Harris Hastings filled tho eamo office fox Wellington here. Appended are details of tho games as far as they havo been played:—

Board I.—R. J. Barnes (Wellington) v. R. A. Cleland (Otago): Ruy Lopez Opening.—The game between these two ex-cham-pions is a very close one, and so far there is no advantago on either eide. Barring mistakes, it looks as if in the time allowed it will ultimately end in a draw. Board 2.—0. Balk (Otago) v. W. E. Mason (Wellington): The latter, player adopted the Petroff Defence, which led to a very interesting game. The Wellington player staved off a smart attack from Otago, and compelled tho latter to resign at.the 22nd move. ■

Board 3. —W. Mackay (Wellington) v. A. Ellis (Otago): The Otago player adopted the Two Knights' Defence, which led to a very close game, and neither side has so far any_ advantage in what appears to be developing into a very interesting ■ position. Board 4.— W. G. Stenhouso (Otago) v. F. J. Kelling (Wellington): Philodor's Defence was played by tho northern man, and the game is very even. At present neither player can look forward to more than a draw.

Board 5.—P. Still (Wellington) v. S. S. Myers (Dunedin): Ruy Lopez Opening.— White had made tho most of the attack, and at present is two pawns up. The Otago player should recover oho of these, but, generally speaking, has the inferior position at present.

Board 6.—L. D. Coombs (Otago) v. — ■Connell (Wellington): Queen's Gambit Declined.—The Otago player is a pawn up, and has apparently the best of the game, but black has extricated himself out of what seemed_ to be a serious difficulty, so that the ultimate result is by no means certain.

Board 7.— S. Gyles (Wellington) v. G. E Wright (Otago): Ruy Lopez.—At this board Otago poems to have a distinct advantage, having the exchange and a pawn up. Board B.—A. Mellor (Otago) v. — Fouhy (Wellington): King's Bishop Gambit, which led to the Muzio.—Ope of the most interesting games of the evening". White has lost a piece, but ia four pawns up, an attack on which it will be difficult to resist. .Board 9.—Godtschalk (Wellington) v. J. A. Boreham (Otago): Ruy Lopez.—This game-is fairly developed, but neither player has nny distinct advantage. Board 10.—A. E. Ward (Otago) v. — Barraud (Wellington): Centre Gambit.— White is a pawn down, but black, notwithstanding, has not any great advantage Board 11.—M'Nair (Wellington) v. W. H, Allen (Otago): King's Bishop Opening.— A colourless game that looks like an eventual draw.

Board 12.— J. Botting (Otago) v. S. Mackay (Wellington): King's Bishop Opening. —White has a bishop up, and looks to have the best of the game fill round. Board 13.—Taylor (Wellington) v. H. H. Henderson (Otago): King's Bishop Opening.—The only advantage that black lias is that white has a doubled pawn. Board 14.—A. Crawford (Otago) v. \ Gyles (Wellington): Centro Gambit.—This has been a vory open and rather interesting game, and white, if ho can maintain his attack, has good prospects. The telegraph arrangements, when oncetho match was started, were excellent, and both operators deserve the hearty thanks of all tho players.