CHESS CONGRESS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18747, 28 December 1922, Page 5

CHESS CONGRESS

THE SECOND ROUND. (Peb United Pbess Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, December 27. At the chess championship congress play in the second round resulted: Anderson v. Pihl.—Anderson chose the Vienna opening. An early exchange of centre pawns gave Anderson an open king, bishop’s file, and strong pawn centre, with pawn at king’s fifth. In the struggle for position knights were changed l off, leaving Anderson’s advanced passed pawn;still more dangerous. The only weakness in Anderson’s game was an isolated Qr pawn. Anderson’s further advance of queen’s pawn gave Pihl a chance to got rid of the dangerous pawn, but ho made a futile counter attack with queen and l bishop. Anderson pushed on with centre passed pawns. In saving his immediate position Pihl gave up a bishop for a pawn, and from that point Anderson played soundly, and worked up, mating position on move 40, and Pihl resigned. Coombs v. Dunlop.—This was an irregular Queen's Pawn opening, a very even game resulting from an exchange of minor pieces, as they threatened to build up an attack in the middle game. Pieces and position were almost even, though perhaps Coombs was in the bettor position for attack. At move 22 Coombs, fearing the strength of a knight move which Dunlop threatened, gave up a knight for a pawn, but this failed in its object, for Dunlop’s attack continued. Coombs lost a rook, and a few moves later resigned from a hopeless game. M'Crea v. Buchan.—'The Queen Bishop a Gambit offered by M'Crea was declined. M'Crea made an early exchange of pawns which enabled him to change queens. Good pawn play by Buchan gave him pawn np and passed pawn on king’s sixth. M'Crea captured this dangerous pawn, but failed to change off rook for two minor pieces which were offering. With an exchange of minor nieces a fairly even game resulted. M'Crea being pressed for time later on. offered a draw, which was accepted by Buchan, who had rather a cramped position. Severn v. Miller. —Miller renlicd' with French defence to Severn’s opening, setting up a very solid defence. Severn obtained an attack along the diagonal with Q .and B along rook’s pawn. He .then brought un two knights for attack, with one nt K 5 and. the other at Kt 5, taxing Miller’s defence to the ntmoid. Severn delayed his attack, enabling Miller to strengthen his position by advancing pawn to 84. and by a senes-of exchanges Severn opened Miller’s rook’s file, and advancing Qs pawn, forced Miller to exchange and give Severn an open fi'e for Qs reek, Severn’s attack was overwhelming. Millet being forced to give up a queen for a bishop and rook. Severn continued in fine style, winning Miller’s rook. Miller then resigned.