PROBLEM 1336.

Otago Witness, Issue 2231, 3 December 1896, Page 40

PROBLEM 1336.

By Mr Eustace King, Christchurch.

(Second prize.)

. White to play and mate in three moves. 8,5Q2,1p6,4P3,181k3K,4p'1Kt1, 4P3, 6bl. [Instructions.— Begin to reckon from the upper left-hand corner. Numerals indicate vacant ! iquares, capitals white, and small letters black men.] ' • Solution of Problem 1329. Key move— l R-Q 83. [la the diagram, instead of the R at Q Xt 7 there should be a white B.] ' Solution op Problem 1330. ' Key move— l P-Q B B=Kt.8 = Kt. Bangitikei Chess Club Championship Tournament. Game between Messrs A. H. O'Loughlin and W. Meldrum. French Defence. ' White. JBlack. ' White. ' Black. (O'Loughlin) (Meldrum) (O'Loughlin) (Meldrum) 1 P-K 4 P-K 3 17 O-O-l B x Xt 2.P-Q4 P-Q 4 18PxB KtxßP 3 Q Kt-B 3 X Kt-B 3 19 R-K B2 (?) Q-Q R 5 4 P-K sa X Kt-Q 2 20 B-Q 2 Kt-K G-ft 5 P-K B 4-6 P-Q B 4 21 R-KKt 2 B-Q 2 6PxP BxP 228-K3Z KR-QBI 7Q-Kt4-o 0-0 23 Kt-Kts-mR-B ff BKtB3 QKt-B8 24R-Kl' Rxßm 98-Q3 P-B4 25RxR QxQP, 10 Q-R 3d Q-K 1-a 26 K R-K 2 R-Q B I 11 P-KKt4 Kt-Q Kfc 27 Kt-87-o Q-Q 8 eh 5-/ 28 K-Kt 2 R-B 8 12 P-K Xt 5-0 Xt x B 29 Q-B 3-p Q-Kt Bch 13PxKt B-Kts 30K-R3 QxKtP 14 P-Q4-A Kt-Kt3 31 Kt-Q 6 R-KKt B .15 P-Kt 6-» P-K R 3 32 R-QKt3-g R-Kt 6 16 Q-R 5 Kt-R 5 33 Resigns. (a) This Is recommended by Steinitz, but i 8 thought by some to be a premature advance of the .P. Mr Mason (Art of Chess) says it makes a most difficult game. Lasker approves of 4Px P. ' Speaking from some experience we venture to say that 3Px P, although leading; to -a dull game and ' giving Black more freedom than the variation in the text, gives White a email but certain advantage. (6) In Steinita v, Yerganl at Hastings the former played 6 Q Kt-K a which seems to strengthen the X's side, as it admits of 6 P-Q B 3. (c) This 1b the usual continuation, and if not carefully answered enables White to get up a jtrong X's side attack. Black's reply seems to be the beat, and ia the. Present instance comet oui «£hfc '

(d) This is the usual continuation, but 10 P x P c.p. was successfully played by Lasker. (c) Probably best, as by guarding the k p It makes the threatened Xt-Xt 6 harmleas. If 11 Xt-Xt 5, q-kt 3 makes all secure. (f) Well played. He can begin a counter-attack with safety, as White has nothing effective at his command. (0) 12 Q Kt-K 2 was here worth considering, but probably White had resolved to castle, although it is not easy to ccc anything now to be gained by doing so. For instance, 12 Kt-K 2, kt xb ; 13 P x Xt, b-kt 6 eh ; 14 K-Q 1, to be followed by Xt-Xt 3, threatening PxP, &c, continuing the attack on Black's k. (h) If White meant to castle X's sideh'e should have done so now. Advancing the P may bo regarded as time wasted. The idea no doubt was to prevent kt-b 4. (t) This offar of the P mfght have proved good had Black been so obliging as to take it. 0") White must now lose a P, and gets no rent afterwards. (k) Black's attack is now irresistible. The White forces are badly separated and ineffective even for defence. (1) To enable the Xt to be moved without losing the Q P, but Black sees his wav clearly enough. (m) Probably intending Kt-B 7, Xt x R P eh, p x kt, Q x P, threatening mate, but Black declines to allow time for this manoeuvre. (n) Well played, leaving White without resource. (o) Useless now. Kt-B 3is a little better, but only prolongs and does not save the game. (p) If Xt x.P eh, p x kt ; Qx P, and Black mates in two moves. (g) If R-K Xt 2, rx r ; Qx R, q.-r 4 mate*