CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23082, 7 January 1937, Page 6

CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

H. R. ABBOTT THE WINNER RAPID RISE TO SUCCESS (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, Jan. 6. By winning the New Zealand chess championship to-day, H. R. Abbott, of Christchurch, takes the title back to Canterbury after an interval of 47 years. After leading for several days, Abbott played the last round to-day, and as he was drawn to play with the black pieces he had naturally to be careful against G. P. Anderson (Wellington), a draw being agreed upon at move 35. Two championships are now under the same roof, as Mrs Abbott is the woman champion of New Zealand, having won that title last year. As there were insufficient entries for a similar tournament this year the title is retained by Mrs Abbott, who also tied with Aislabie for first place in the premier reserve tourney. Abbott is 32 years of age. and his wife is two years younger. They have both made remarkably rapid progress in chess. Both joined the Canterbury Chess Club in 1933, and were put in class 10, the lowest grade. Within a year Abbott was in the top class, and three months later his wife had received similar promotion. Abbott played in the New Zealand Championship tourney in 1934 and again in 1935. H. M‘Nabb (Auckland) and I. Burry (Auckland) tied for second place. Thirteen games were played in the tourney, one point being allotted for a win and half a point for a draw. The positions of the various players at the end of the last round were as follows: — Pts. H. R. Abbott (Christchurch) 9i H. M'Nabb (Auckland) .. .. 8* I. Burry (Auckland) 8i S. Hindin (Christchurch) .. 8 F. K. Kelling (Wellington) .. 7 E. H. Severne (Wellington) .. 7 D. Lynch (Hastings) ; 6J G. P. Anderson (Wellington) .. 6J D. I. Jones (Auckland) .. .. 6i K. Beyer (Wellington) .. .. 6 J. A. Erskine (Invercargill) .. 5i C. B. Newick (Auckland) .. 4 R. O. Scott (Wanganui) .. ..4 J. A. Hunter (Christchurch) 3J All the players who have scored more than 6J points participate in the prize money. The following is a brief summary of the play in the last round:— Anderson v. Abbott. —Sicilian Defence. Anderson attempted a strong king-side attack, but Abbott defended solidly, and an even end game resulted, a draw being agreed upon at move 35. . _ „ . Burry v. M'Nabb. —A Q.P. opening. In a strong king-side attack Burry sacrificed a bishop for two pawns, and forced M'Nabb’s resignation at move 23. . Hindin v. Kelling.—A Q.P. opening. In the middle game Hindin developed a strong attack with a stragetical position which forced Kelling’s resignation at move 32. Scott v. Newick—A centre counter. Newick won a queen for a rook at move 30, and Scott resigned. Beyer v. Hunter.—A French defence. In an even game Beyer attempted to force the position, but Hunter counterattacked, Beyer resigning at move 3b. Erskine v, Severne.—QJ 5 . Cambridge Springs. The game was drawn at move 31. Lynch v. Jones.—A Q.P. opening. Lynch won a piece in the middle game, and Jones resigned at move 41. In the premier reserve W. R. Aislabie (Napier) and Mrs Abbott (Christchchurch) tied for first place with Hi points. I. M'lntosh (Auckland) was next with 10, and C. A. Langabeer (Auckland) followed with 9.