The Anglo-American Chess Match.

Otago Witness, Issue 2467, 26 June 1901, Page 63

The Anglo- American C hess Match.

It is a matter of much gratification to all British chessists that the British team was able on April 20 to prevent the Americans from gaining a third successive victory in these matches, and thus securing the valuable trophy presented by Sir George Newnes. The British side did very well indeed, anil the result was a welcome surprise after the gloomy prognostications we have so often come across in our chess press. The following- report of the match is an excellent one, and we are indebted to the Morning Post for the same: — The annual cable match between Great Britain and America resulted in a tie. This is a more satisfactory termination than *vas anticipated a day or two before the contest, for Blackburne had announced that he would not play, and it was recognised that in liis absence there was little chance of the English side being able to avert defeat. It was the more necessary that an extra effort should be made this year, since the Americans had won the trophy twice m succession, and if they had succeeded a third time it would, according to the conditions, have passed into their possession. As it is, the sequence is broken, and the American advantage nullified, so that the match brought a substantial benefit to the English side, notwithstanding that it was drawn. It was a gratifying surprise to the visitors who assembled in the International Hall, Monico Restaurant, to find Blackbume in his old place at the head of the English team after all. He was, as usual, opposed by Pillsbury, and having played a Sicilian defence obtained an advantage in the early stages of the game. This, however, he failed to maintain, for by two or three injudicious moves he enabled Pillsbury to obtain two bishops against two knights. The American capturing a pawn, had all the better of the end-game, and won eventually, though Blackburne made a long 1 and ingenious resistance. The best game produced by the contest was that between Mason and Showalter, which is given above. It was the first finished, Showalter, resigning, and it was so brilliantly played by Mason as to nmke one regret that his assistance had not been requisitioned for the previous matches. On the third board Lee played the Caro-Kann defence against Barry, and two days' struggle failed to give the advantage to either side, a draw being agreed to at the call of time. The game was an example of steady perseverance, and it is at least something to Lee's credit that he has broken. Barry's long succession of victories. Mills, who played a Ruy Lopez against Hodges, held some advantage nearly to the end, but cculd effect no more than a draw. Atkins defended a Ruy Lopez against Hymes, and got into such serious trouble during the second day's play that he had to part with two pawns —a fatal loss. A Sicilian defence, played by Voight against Bellingham led to a draw. Ward declined the Queen's Gambit offered by Marshall, and this game proved to be one of the most eventful of the occasion. Ward, with a broken pawn position, seemed to have little chance for the end-game, but Marshall's play became somewhat erratic, and he lost a piece by a blunder, after which his game was hopeless. A Giuoco Piano played by Jackson against Bampton, produced an even result. Herbert Jacobs, after defending the Queen's pawn opening against Newman, had a troublesome and not very promising position, but could not maintain it. Mitchell opened with the Queen's Gambit, which was declined by Hcweil, who obtained a good game, but missed his opportunity and wag defeated. As the time approached foi concluding play it bcame evident that the match must be diawn. The resignation of Blackburne made the score three all, five other games having also bcr>n concluded, while Lee and Mills each had a Jraw in hand, Atkins had a lost game, and Mitchell had a win. The results were so plainly indicated by tho positions that it was quite unnecessary to submit them for adjudication, and the obvious conclusion was mutually agreed on, the score thus becoming : Great Britain. America. J. H. Blackburne.. 0 H. N. Pillsbury .. 1 J&ines, Mason -n 1 J. W. Showalter .. 0 P. J. Lee .. .. i J. H. Barry , .. J D Y. Mills .. .. % A. B. Hodges .. * H. E. Atkins. . .. 0 E. Hymes .. .. 1 G. Bellingham .. \ H. Voight „ .. \ W. Ward .. ..1 F. J. Marshall . C E M. Jackson .. \ S. W. Bainplon . i Heibert Jacobs .. 0 C. J. Newman .. I R, P. Mitchell .. 1 A. Howell .. .. 0 5 5 The affair was admirably managed as usual, the cabling and the arrangements for the numerous spectators to follow the games without interfering with the players being all that (could, bo desixed,