CHESS CHAMPION CONGRESS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2408, 26 April 1900, Page 52

CHESS CHAMPION CONGRESS.

' WELLINGTON, April 17. In the third round of the chess tournament, the game Mason v. Kumnier is unfinished. Barnes v. Still was drawn after 67 moves, iln the fourth round Kummcr defeated M'Kay after four hours' play. Barnes beat Edwards in 33 moves. Brown beat James in 50 moves, and scored his first win. Earll v. Cleland proved one of the best games of the tournament so far. Tke former missed d change of winning

towards the end, and the game was drawn at the sixtieth move.

April 18.

The chess tourney was continued to-day. In the fifth round Mason (Wellington Club) defeated Cleland (Dunedin), who lost a rook at move 15. Brown (Wellington Working Men's Club) holds an advantage against Still (Wellington Club), Earll against James (Wellington). Play was resumed this afternoon, Barnes defeating Summer, James defeating Earll, and Still drawing with Brown. In playing off the unfinished games of the earlier rounds Still beat Mackay, while Mason drew with Kummer. Barnes and Mason are now leading, each having "only a draw against him. April 19. At the chess tournament to-day Cleland beat Mackay in 24 moves. The sixth round resulted as follows:—Edwards beat Brown, Cleland beat Mackay, James beat Still, and Earle drew with Mason. Barnes is now leading, being half a game ahead of Mason. The seventh round, was begun to-night. The game between Barnes, ex-champion, and Cleland, champion, appears in favour of the former. Mackay has the advantage over Mason. The other games are fairly even, but none will be finished till about noon to-morrow. April 20. At the , chess tournament Barnes beat Cle.land, Mackay beat Mason, and Jones beat Edwards. In the eighth round Barnes received his first defeat, Mason, who played'a fine game, winning in S3 moves. Still beat Edwards, Mackay beat • Earee, and James .beat Kumnier. Kumrner. won his outstanding game with Brown. Barnes is now only half a game ahead of Mason,'each having two games to play.^ April 22. In the ninth roimd of the Chess Championship tourney Edwards defeated Earle, Kummer drew with Still, and Cleland beat Brown. The game between Barnes and Mackay, after five hours and a-half's play, was adjourned until Monday, the position then being even. The tenth round began on Saturday night. Mason defeated Brown, and Kummer beat Edwards. Cleland should ultimately win against James, having" 1 a Knight to ihe.good. However, should there be a draw, these two playtt:, will be a tie for third place, each with one game to play. ' With one round to play Barnes is half a win ahead of Mason for the Championship, to maintein which advantage ke will require to win the adjourned game against Mackay. The players were driven into the country to-day. April 23. In the final round of the chess tourney Barnes beat Earle, Cleland beat Still, and Mason beat James. Still and Earle drew an unfinished game of an e?*rlier round. Barnes has still to complete an unfinished game with Mackay, "in which the forces are even, but he holds a shade the best of the position. If he wins he takes the championship.