CHESS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18362, 28 September 1921, Page 9

CHESS.

OTAGO BEATS CANTERBURY. Tht annual telegraphic chess match between Canterbury and Otago was concluded on Saturday evening. The Canterbury team this year is about the strongest that has yet represented that province, although it was without the services of two upperbeard players in Messrs King and Hawkins. Otago was without Dunlop, Buchan, and Rotting. Otago won the toss and had the move on the odd-numbered boards. Canterbury early in the match gained first blood at board No. 13, where Mr Noel Fulton, with a splendid game, misread a move, which cost him his queen, and he resigned immediately. Mr Allen, at the next board, soon afterwards made a similar blunder and resigned, but in this case the Canterbury player had already had the better position. Just before the close of play on the first evening Mr Anderson resigned at board No. 1. Following is a brief description of the games. In each case the Canterbury player is mentioned first:— Board I.—H. L. Andersen (captain) v. A. W. O. Dqvies. “King’s Gambit.” Andersen adopted an inferior defence and got into difficulties early, and resigned on the twentieth move. Board 2. —H. Kennedy v. R. A. Cleland. “Queen Gambit Declined.” Careful play led to an even position throughout, and a draw resulted. Board 3. —Rev. N. Friberg v. O. Balk. “Centre Counter Gambit.” A very interesting game, and quite unorthodox until the 26th move, when a hasty move was made by the Canterbury player, who thereupon resigned. The game was thus abruptly terminated at a stage where it was full of possibilities for either side. Board 4.—L. J. Darwin v. J. Edwards. “Irregular Opening.” This was also an interesting game, and resulted in a win for tlie Otago player, who gave up the exchange in order to maintain the attack, and after some brilliant play and 13 consecutive checks left his opponent with much material disadvantage. Resignation followed on the 46th move. Board 5. —D. Pihl v. L. D. Coombs. “Queen’s Gambit Declined.” An even contest until the Otago player lost a pawn in the middle game and a second pawn later. With two pawns down he resigned at move 37. Board 6.—R. _ Lovell-Smith v. W. G. Stenhouse (captain). “Giuoco Piano.” At the firet adjournment the local player had a pawn down and a little the worst of it; but on resuming gradually worked up a winning game, eventually having three passed pawns, obtaining later a well-de-served win. Board 7. —F. Woodford v. A. E. Ellis, “Scotch Gambit.” Early exchanges led to the Canterbury player losing two pawns and resigning at the fiftieth move. tt Board 8 —W. Buckhurst v. J. Grow, "Ruy Lopez.” ' Carefully-played game up to twenty-sixth move, when the Dunedin player gained a knight, his opponent resigning four moves later. Board 9.—F. H. R. Neville v. S. S. Myers, “Centre Gambit.” Early in the game the local player gained a small advantage and held on to it throughout a well-fought game, and at move 40 obtained his opponent’s resignation. Board 10. —H. J. Quarrell v. J. J. Marlow, “Giuoco Piano.” A hard game followed a missed opportunity at move 11. Position in favour of Canterbury. Left for adjudication. Board 11. —W. H. Joyce v. G. D. Wright, “Ruy Lopez.” At move 17 the Otago player gained bishop for pawn. Canterbury, however, got a nasty advanced pawn, which, being well supported, considerably cramped the position, and only after a very hard struggle did Otago re-, gister a win. Board 12.—J. 0. Chapman v. H. H. Henderson, “Ruy Lopez.” Canterbury won a bishop for a pawn in the middle game. The position has been left for adjudication at an interesting stage. Board 13.—R. S. Shillito v. N. Fulton, “Queen’s Pawn Game.” Won by Canterbury. Board 14.—J. E. Stevens v. W. H. Allen, “King’s Bishop Gambit.” Won by Canterbury. Board 15.—E. L. Wilson v. R. J. Penrose, “King’s Pawn Game.” At the adjournment from previous Saturday’s play the local player had slight advantage, which, however, he has not maintained, afad the position now goes to adjudication, with every prospect of a draw. Board 16.—E. Dalton v. L. Grigg, “Ruy Lopez.” Otago defended against strong attack, and through excellent play emerged with winning position, and obtained Canterbury's resignation after 40 moves had been made. Result: Otago 94, Canterbury 34. The three games reserved for adjudication will improve Canterbury’s score, but cannot affect the result of the match. This concludes tOago’s telegraphic fixtures for ’the season. In the three matches against Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch the local club won 1, lost 1, and drew 1. During the week’s interval many congratulations were received on learning that Mr R. A. Cleland was again representing the club in telegraphic matches. Mr Goodwin operated the wires at this end very successfully. / Mr W. F. Robinson noted at the other end as umpire for Otago, and Mr T. M. Gillies umpired at this end in the interests of Canterbury. During the evening advantage was taken of the opportunity of presenting Mrs T. M. Gillies with two handsome ladies’ handbags, and Mr S. S. Myers, in an appropriate speech, asked Mr Gillies to convey to Mrs Gillies the thanks of the players for her consideration in providing refreshments at these gatherings.