CHESS TOURNAMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25426, 6 January 1944, Page 4

CHESS TOURNAMENT

WADE’S FINE PERFORMANCE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Jan. 5. A feature of the concluding rounds of the chess championship was an uphill struggle by R. G. Wade, the brilliant young Otago Dlayer who tied with Dr Allehand at the last tournament at Timaru, and was defeated in the playoff. Three drawn games in the early stages of the present tournament and a surprise loss to Darwin in the sixth round left Wade two points behind Lepviikmann and Severne, but he finished strongly with three victories, including one against Lepviikmann. Even at the commencement of the last round Wade’s chances did not appear bright, as he had to play Steele, who at that stage had had four wins and two draws, whereas Severne had to meet Hardy, who had not won any games and had only two draws.. Had both Wade and Severne won their games Severne would have won the tournament. It was necessary for Wade to win his contest and for Severne to be held, to a draw, to enable Wade to finish on terms with the leader. Lepviikmann could also have tied witn Severne and Wade had. he won his last-round- game, but it resulted in a draw with Gyles, who finished fourth in the tournament. Lepviikmann at his first appearance in the tournament made a fine showing and had excellent prospects of winning the title until a lapse agamst Severne turned an apparent win into a loss. Steele, who finished fifth, was tne youngest player ill the championship. He is 19. B. Wood (Wellington), who ’finished third in the major open tournament, is only 17.