Christchurch v. Dunedin.

Otago Witness, Issue 1751, 13 June 1885, Page 22

Christchurch v. Dunedin.

This interesting match bptween nine players of the Canterbury Cheßs Club, Chris churob, and a like number of players selected by Mr David R. Hay from the chess players of Dunedin and surrounding districts was commenced at 7.30 p.m. on Siuurday. The local players were c n mf^rfcably accommodated in the room of Mr J. K. Logan, telegraph inspector, which was kindly placed at their disposal by that c fecer, and tbe Cbristchurch players had their quarters in a large room in the Commercial Hotel opposite the telegraph office, with a special wire aud instrument temporarily fitted up. All the Dunedin playera camo to the scratch, but two of the Ohrisfcchnrch emergency men had to take the field on account of the absence of two of tho selected team. The arrangements for commencing the match were made shortly after 7 o'clock. The umpires tossed for first move, and ChristChnrch having won, elected to take tbe firs move in the odd number of games. The Christchurch team was captained by Mr Henry Hookham, the veteran champion, and tho Dunedin team by Mr D. R. Hay. The players woro paired against one another as follows: At board I the two captains were pitied against one another. MiHay having second move adopted the French dofeuce, 1 P to X 3, which is considered oae of the safest replies to 1 P to X 4 The game has advanced 32 niovep, and has been exceedingly well played on both sides. It is wonderfully even at present. At board 2 Mr John Mouat (./) played Mr A. M. Ollivier (c). Mr Mouat onened with tbe well-known Ruy Lopez game. Byand-bye he managed to gain the exchange of a rook and a pawn for a knight, with a line attacking position. The game is pretty well advanced, and as Mr Mouat is a very able player it ia generally expected that he wi)l succeed in scoring a win. At board 3 Dr Stenhmiße (D.^ wan opposed by Mr R, T. Hearrell (O ). Tho Cbristcburch player opened with *he Vienna Grrunbit, which tha doctor declined, so aB to take hia opponent away from the "books." The gam< is not fully developed yet, and there ia little, if any, advantage in position on either side. At board 4 Mr D« L Christie (D) played Mr A. H. Todd (C). Mr Christie was hoping to get a king's bishop's gambit, but the Cbristchurch player did not seem bo anxious for ifc, aa he promptly declined .the proffered pawn.' The game has been well played so far with no great advantage on either side, though we would prefer Mr Christie's position had we the choice. At board 5 Mr W. L, Christie (D) had for his opponent Mr W. Acton-Adams (C). The game is the favourite Sicilian opening; but both players being very cautious it is not fully developed as yet. Mr Christie has lost two pawns but has a superior position. At board 6Mr D A. De Mans (D.) waß opposed by Mr F. Guinness (O,). This game is pretty well advanced, and Mr De Maus has gained two pawns with a winning position, and as he is a very careful and steady player we do not think ho will allow the win to slip through his fingers. At board 7 Mr Edward Harland (D.) played Mr A, L. Smith (O.), This game has been taken away from the books altogether. The pieces on both sides are exactly equal, though the Dunedin representative has rather a cramped position. If he extricates himself out of bis difficulties it will be a highly meritorious task. At board 8 Me W. B. Eyre (D) played Mr J. G, L. Scott (C), Tho Dunedin player opened with a Ruy Lopez, and shortly afterwnrds sacrificed a knight for the sake of attack. It has been a very interesting' game throughout, aud is now in a very critical utage, so it is nard to say which side has the best of ic. At board 9, Mr T, Fuller (D. ) was opposed by Mr W. Cuddon (D,), Unfortunately at the fourth move Mr Fuller misinterpreted a move of his opponent, and placed a pawn on the wrong equare. Making an impossible move iv consequence, he had to move hiß king (the usual penalty), which has given him an uphill game to fight, and ho is doing it manfully, Play ceased, according to previous agreement, at 11 45 p,m. Taking it altogether, the match iB very even so far. Play waa to ba resumed on Wednesday eight at 7 o'clock.