CHESS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3312, 5 September 1917, Page 51

CHESS.

WELLINGTON v. OTAGO

A chess match by telegraph was commenced on the 25th ult. between the Wellington and Otago Chess Clubs. The games were to have been started at 6 o'clock, but owing to an unavoidable delay it was nearer 7 o'clock before a start was made. Wellington won the toss, and therefore had white at the odd boards. Play was continued until midnight, but on the majority of boards no definite result has been arrived at. Wellington has one clear win, as Otago's plaver on board 2 had to resign. Mr G. H. Cluttan umpired at Wellington for Otago, and Mr D. Harris Hastings filled the same office for Wellington here. Appended are details of the games as far as they have been played: Board I.—R. J. Barnes (Wellington) v. R. A. Cleland (Otago): Ruy Lopez Opening.—The game between these two ex-cham-pions is a very close one, and so far there is no advantage on either side. Barring mistakes, it looks as if in the time allowed it will ultimately end in a draw. Board 2—O. Balk (Otago) v. W. E.Mason (Wellington): The latter player adopted the Petroff Defence, which led to a very interesting game. The Wellington player staved off a smart attack from Otago, and compelled the latter to resign at the 22nd move.

Board 3. —W. Mackay (Wellington) v. A. Ellis (Otafeo): The Ota go player adopted the Two Knights' Defence, wJiich led to a very close game, and neither side lias so far any advantage in what appears to he developing into a very interesting position. Board 4.—W. G. Stenhouse (Otago) v. F. J. Kelling (Wellington): Philodor's Defence was played by the northern man, and the game is very even. At present neither player can look forward to more than a draw. Board 5—P. Still (Wellington) v. S. S. Myers (Dunedin): Ruy Lopez Opening.— White had made the most of the attack, and at present is two pawns up. The Otago player should recover one of these, but, generally speaking, has the inferior position at present. Board 6. —L. D. Coombs (Otago) v. Connell (Wellington): Queen's Gambit Declined.—The Otago player is a pawn up, and has apparently the best of the game, but black has himself out of what seemed to bo a serious difficulty, so that tho ultimate result is by no means certain.

Board 7.—S. Gyles (Wellington) v. G. E. Wright (Otago): Rvty Lopez.—At this board Otago fecms to have a distinct advantage, having the exchange and a pawn up. Board B.—A. Mellor (Otago) v. Fouhy (Wellington): King's Bishop Gambit, which led to the Muzio.—One of the most interesting games of the evening. White has lost a piece, but is four pawns up, an attack on which it will be difficult to resist. Board 9.—Godtschalk (Wellington) v. J. A Boreham (Otagoy: Ruy Lopez.—This game is fairly developed, but neither player has any distinct advantage. Board 10.—A. E. Ward (Otago) v. Barraud (Wellington): Centre Gambit.— White is a pawn down, but black, notwithstanding, has not anv great advantage. Board 11.—M'Nair "(Wellington) v. W. H Allen (Otago): King's Bishop_ Opening.— A colourless game that looks like an eventual draw. Board 12.—J. Botting (Otago) v. S. Mackav (Wellington): King's Bishop Opening. —White, has a bishop up, and looks to have the best of the game all round. Board 13—Taylor (Wellington) v. H. H. Henderson (Otago): King's Bishop Opening.—The only advantage that black has is that white has a doubled pawn. Board 14. —A. Crawford (Otago) v. A. Gyles (Wellington) : Centre Gambit.—This has been a very open and rather interesting game, and white, if he can maintain his attack, has good prospects. The telegraph arrangements, when once the match, was started, were excellent, and

both operators deserve the hearty thanks of ull the players. The telegraph match between tho Wellington and Otago Chess Clubs was concluded at midnight on Saturday, and ended very disastrously for tho local players. Otago had only one win outright, whilst fivo boards have been reserved for adjudication by the Auckland Chess Club Adjudication Committee. It is a long time, if it has ever happened, since a senior ekib was defeated as badly as Otago was at this match, but it is to be hoped that our local players will to some extent wipe out the disgrace in tho match against Canterbury, which is to be played on tho 22nd and 29th in st. At board 1 Mr Cloland was unablo to play. Mr Balk kindly took his place, but was never* in a very nappy state, and had to resign in favour of Wellington's most consistent player, Mr It. J. Barnes. Board 2 was lost by Otago on tho previous Saturday. At Board 3 Mr Ellis unfortunately made a mistake in setting up his game, and this was not discovered until too late, and he, also, was forced to resign. Dr Stenhouf?o made a good fight against Mr Pilling, but the latter held too many guns for him. Mr Myers made a very strong stand in tho foco of a weak position, and had to give in to Mr Still. Mr Coombs certainly did not make tho most of his game. At one timo ho had a very strong attack, but it was gradually worn down, and he, also, had to resign. Board 7 is reserved for adjudication, and tho Otago position hero is certainly not a bad one. Mr Mellor being unable to attend, a substitute, and a very efficient one, played his gamo and scored Otago's only win after 12 o'clock had struck. Boards 9, 10, 13, and 14 aro all reserved, and Otago ought to get another win or two out of these games. Messrs Bottincr and »Allen both played well, but their opponents wero distinctly of superior calibre. Details: Wkllixgtox. Otago. Wins. Wins. I.—B. J. Barnes ... 1 R. A. Cleland ... 0 2.—W. E. Mason ... 1 0. Balk 0 3.—W. Maekay ... 1 A. Ellis 0 4.—J. Selling ... 1 W. G. Stenhonse 0 5.—P. Still 1 S. S. Myers ... 0 6.---J. A. Connell ... 1 L. D. Coombs ... 0 7.—S. Gyles ... G. E. Wright ... B.—T. Fouhy ... 0 Substitute ... 1 9.—H. Godtschalk. J. A. Boreham ... 10.—W. P. Barrand A. E. Ward ... 11.—G. M'Nair ... 1 W. TT. Allen ... 0 12.—S. Maekay ...' 1 J. Botting 0 13. .Taylor ... — H. H.Henderson 14.—A. Gyles ... A. H. Crawford The same umpires acted, and Mr J. Lindsay's services as operator at this end wero all that could be desired.