CHAMPIONSHIP CHESS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19825, 30 December 1938, Page 10

CHAMPIONSHIP CHESS

DOMINION TOURNAMENT PLAY OF FIFTH ROUND NULLING IN THE LEAD (Pei Press Association.) WANGANUI, this day. The fifth round of the New Zealand chess championship congress was concluded last night, all games being finished with the exception of one between G. Cole, of Nelson, and R. O. Scott, of Wanganui. The leading player is the veteran F. K. Kelling, of Wellington, with four wins and one loss. J. B. Dunlop, of Dunedin, and H. McNab, of Nelson, are running-up with three and a half points. If Scott wins his adjourned game he can also tie with three and a hall'. Kelling met his first defeat last night at the hands of the youthful player, D. Heenan, of Hastings, who had his opponent in difficulties comparatively early in the 'game. Progress results are:— Championship Fifth Round E. Rutherfurd (Stratford) v. W. J. Fairburn (Wellington): Queen’s Pawn. Rutherfurd won early in the session when he was a rook to the good, Fairburn resigning at move 27. .7. A. Erskine (Invercargill) v. 11. McNabb (Nelson). Erskine was in trouble early and resigned at move 24 when his youthful opponent threatened mate in three. D. Lynch (Hastings) v. D. I. Jones (Auckland): Nimzovitch defence. Lynch lost a piece at move 20 and soon after Jones threatened mate in three, Lynch resigning on the 24th move. J. B* Dunlop (Dunedin) v. C. J. Taylor (Auckland): Evans gambit. This game was one of the most sensational contests of the congress. Commencing on conventional lines white initiated what promised to be a strong attack. Taylor defended skilfully and castling on the queen’s side became aggressive and was two pawns and an exchange to the good. He gave an opening, however, and Dunlop pushed forward a counter attack. Taylor overlooked a check and Dunlop scored a snap mate at move JO. E. J. Dyer (Wellington) v. E. H. Severne (Wellington): Queen’s pawn. A blocked position resulted from play which was, perhaps, too careful on both sides and as neither could make any headway a draw was agreed to at move 30. G. Cole (Nelson) v. R. O. Scott (Wanganui), Zucker Tort. This game was adjourned at move 40 with an apparent advantage for white. F. K. Kelling (Wellington) v. D. Heenan (Hastings), Sicilian. This j wa,s a toard fight, of youth against' a veteran, the victory going to Heenan at move 70. Although Kelling was a piece down and several pawns towards the end Of the game, he fought on stubbornly until Heenan was on

the verge of queening a pawn. He then gave up. Adjourned Games Results of adjourned games were:— Third Round Jones and Dyer agreed to a draw without further play. Fourth Round Kelling beat Scott. Taylor draw with Dyer. Severne drew with Cole. McNabb drew with Rutherfurd. Positions of Players The positions of the players at the end of the fifth round were: —

"Indicates One game adjourned Premier Reserve Tourney Fifth Round N. Cromarty (Wanganui) beat H. P. Whitlock (Wanganui). B. Beach (Wanganui) drew with R. Christensen (Palmerston North). R. G. Wade (Wellington) beat C. 11. Speck (Stratford). S. Smith (Wanganui) drew with W. A. Dobson (Christchurch). N. R. Meads ((Nelson) beat W. R. Aiistaibie (Napier). At the end of the fifth round the points scored by the respective players were: Wade, 5; Cromarty and Christensen, 4; Beach, 3J; Meads, 3; Dobson, 2; Whitlock and Aislabie, lj; Smith, -J; Speck, nil.

Rolling Won Dm. .. 4 — Lost 1 Pts. 4 Dunlop .. 3 1 1 3i MoNa'bb .. 3 1 1 3 1 Rutherfurd .. 1 4 — 3 Dyer .. 1 3 1 21 Ilocnan . . 2 .1 2 2 Jr Jones . . 2 4 2 24 Scott* .. 2 1 1 21 Erskinc .. 1 2 2 2 Faiiiburn .. 2 — 3 2 Severnc .. — 4 1 2 Taylor .. J 2 2 2 Cole* .. 1 1 2 11 'Lynch • • — 1 4 I