CHESS ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2811, 26 August 1908, Page 67

CHESS ITEMS.

j At the end of t"e six<h game in the contest now proceeding for the chess championship of Victoria, fche score sheet showed three wins for Mr G. Gunderseh, two wins | for Mo: C. E. Steele, and one draw (which does not count in the match). * Mr W. S. Vin.er, cheas champion of Australasia, met 14 members of the Perth Chess Olub recently in simultaneous play. The champion won 10 games, drew 2, and lost 2. The Hutt Chess Club (says the New Zealand HaraJd) is the proud possesf.OT of a member who is 85 years of age, and only learnt the moves of chess some six weeks ago. Now, after playing only some 16 or 20 games, he distinctly outclasses his instructor —a much younger man as years go, but much older in chess. Baron Albert de Rothschild remains true to ths tradition of his family in being a munificenit patron of chess, and from time to time generously endows various chess movemients m all parts of the world. He recently arranged a match of three gan^es up between Teicbinann and. Rubinstein, at j the Vienna Chess Club. He has also given i two special prizes —300 and 200 crowns—for ! the Prague international masters' tourney. 1 And he donated a similar amount fear special prizes to the recent Vienna tourney, in addition to 9000 crowns which he contributed towards the general fund. In regard to the value of a Knight versus Bishop, Dr Emawuel Lasker, chess champion i of the world remarks:—"lt is clear that the value of the bishop undergoes greater changes than that of the knight. If experience has shown that on an average during the opening or middle game the j bishop will be at least as strong as the knight, tbis will be more true as the ob- { structions disappear, that is, in endings with only a few pawns scattered about the board. In .complicated end-gams positions, where ■ pawns partly form blocks, the knight will find his best chance." In conclusion he re marks that two bishops are stronger than two knights, or a bishop and knight. The Field states that the following are the n<»w conditions of the projected match between Dr Emamiel tr-asker and Cr S. Tarrasch for ihe chess championship cf the world:—(1) Dr Lasker and Dr Tarrasch are willing to play a match for the championship of the world. (2) The winner ot the first eight games, draws not counting, to be the victor. (3) The winner to. receive from the German Chess Association 4000 marks. (4) Dr Lasker to receive besides 15.000. Dr Tarrasch waives all claim to compensation, but the association promise to hold him free of all expenses. Dt Tarrasch, Lowever, promises to return the amount in I case of victory. (5) Should the required sum ' of 23,000 marks not be forthcoming, then Dr Lasker and Dr Tairasch agree to play the match six games up, Dr Lasker to receive 10,000 marks. (6) If the required fund should' not be forthcoming this contract is null and void, but the association are willing to renew negotiations upon a basis in conformity with the means at their disposal if both masters should notify their intention by July 15. (7) The association undertake to inform tine two masters on or before July 6 whether they have succeeded in procuring the required funds. (8) Should the funds be subscribed, then the match is to begin on August 17, at a place to be chosen by the association. (9) where the match is to be played remains with the association. (10) Play days six per week, only six hours' play in afternoons and evenings. (11) Fifteen moves per hour. No second game to be commenced on any day. (12) Each player has the right of three free days during the match. (13) Before the beginning of the match both players elect an umpire.