Victoria v. New South Wales.

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

Victoria v. New South Wales.

The twenty-first chess match, by telegraph, between the players of Victoria and New South Wales took place on June 3, being the Duke's Birthday, which was celebiated as a holiday, instead of the usual Queen's Birthday. The Victorian players were located m the large room of the Melbourne Chess Club, whc-ie a wire from the Central office had been brought in, thus securing direct communication with Sydney. Mr F. K. Eshng was appointed captain of the Victorian team, and Mr Briggs acted in a similar capacity for New South Wajes. Mr J. Cle7V was appointed umpire for New South Wales at Melbourne, and Mr O. H. Fester umpire for Victoria in Sjdaey. Mr J. T. fc'tabback was the Victorian director of play, and was ably assisted by Messrs Hsildane, Atkn son, Brad&haw, Edmonton, Buzzard, and Fidlcr as tellers. Before commencement of play it was agieed to refer all unfinished games to Mr Henry Charlick, of Adelaide, for adjudication. Play was commenced chorf.^ after 11 a.m., and ceased at 11 p.m. There were U\o intervals of die hour etich for lunch and dinner, but otherwise th? play went merrily on all the time, with the exception of about an hour, bstween 7.30 and 5.30 p.m., when the wires were blocked by urgent pi ess messages. The games proceeded much faster than on previous occasions, and the (fact of enly two being left for adjudication is very gratifying. The match was conducted in the most friendly spirit on both sides, and there was not the slightest hitch or unpleasant "incident" throughout the day. We give below the names of the players as paired, and the orenmg3 of their respective games: — "l. F. K. Esling (V.) v. J. L. Jacob sen (N.S.W.), Q.P. opening (Stonewall). 2. E. B. Laughran (V.) v. D. Heimann (N.S.W.), Ruy Lopez.

3. C. G. Watson (V.) v. J. K. Chustensen (N.S.W.), Peh-off Defence. 4. A. J. Noall (V.) v. B. Hill (X.S.W.). Qu«en's Gambit declined. 5. G. A. Russell (V.) v. F. J. Wallis (K.S.W.), Vienna. G. Rev. R. Betts (V.) v. W. H. Jonas (N S.W.I, Evans' Gambit accepted. 7. H. E-. Grant (V.l v. H. Taylor (jNT.S.W.), Ruy Lopez. 8. T. Tayloi (V.) v. A. Bntton (rsr.S."W.), Guioco Piano. 9. J. G. Witton (V.) v. S. Henderson (N.S.W.), Ruy Lopez. 10. D. R. Hay (V.) v C. E. Turner (X.S.W.). Vienna.

When play ceased there eight games fit ished, and each cid-e had score 9 four wins. The result of the match depends on the two unfinished games referred for adiudciation to Mr Charlick. As the Victoiian players in each case have a superiority of pieces and good positions, the award is not causing them much anxiety. In the previous 20 matches, the scores" are . —Victoria, 14; N.S.W., 3; drawn, 3.