CHAMPIONSHIP CHESS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19826, 31 December 1938, Page 8

CHAMPIONSHIP CHESS

UP TO EIGHTH ROUND TWO CONTENDERS LEVEL DUNLOP AND McNAB (Pur Press Association.) WANGANUI, this day. With several games adjourned in the seventh and eighth rounds of the New Zealand chess championship J. B. Dunlop, of Duncdin, and H. McNabb. of Nelson, are leading, each with four and a half points. D. I. Jones and F. K. Kelling, of Wellington, are next in order with four points. R. O. Scott, of Wanganui, who has scored three points, has two unfinished games, while Kelling has one uncompleted. In the premier reserve tourney, R. G. Wade is leading with six and a-half points, and N. Cromarty, of Wanganui, is running up with five. A severe earthquake in the afternoon shook the hall in which the congress is being held and the players were allowed to stop their clocks for five minutes in order to get over their nervousness.

Progress results of play, are:— CHAMPIONSHIP Sixth Round

W. J. Fairburn (Wellington) v. D. I. Jones (Auckland). Queen's pawn. Defending in the orthodox fashion Jones gained a pawn in the middle of the game and then after a series of exchanges he was left with another pawn to the good, Fairburn resigning at move 41 when it was impossible to stop Jones queening a pawn. C. J. Taylor (Auckland) v. D. Lynch (Hastings). Ruy Lopez. White attacked with vigor and some nice combination play was witnessed, but Taylor's tactics were more enterprising than sound and he was finally left with a piece down and eventually resigned.

H. McNab (Nelson) v. F. K. Kelling (Wellington). Reti opening. This was an even game generally, but for t time Kelling was cramped. He worked free eventually and when the adjournment was taken each player had a queen bishop and a rook, but Kelling was two pawns to the good. An ugly attack is possible on his position, however, and both players will have to handle the tricky position carefully. E. Rutherfurd (Stratford) v. J. A. Erskine (Invercargill). Q.P. king's Indian defence. In the middle of the game Erskine made a vigorous attack and at move 35 was threatening mate in three. Rutherfurd gave up a piece to stave off the end, resigning at move 38.

E. H. Severne (Wellington) v. J. B. Dunlop (Dunedin). Alekhine defence. A blocked position was reached in the middle of the game and then Dunlop endeavoured to break through and all the pieces were exchanged except the

bishops of the same colour and a draw was agreed to. R. O. Scott (Wanganui) v. E. J. Dyer (Wellington). Q.P. colle system. A hard fight resulted in the game being adjourned with even positions. D. Heenan (Hastings) v. G. Cole (Nelson). Queen's pawn. The game was adjourned with each player about equal. . ....... Seventh Round

Erskine v. Fairburn. Queen's gambit declined. This was a featureless game with a blocked position making it difficult for either player to break through, a draw being agreed to at move 30.

Lynch v. Severne. Budapest counter gambit. Play' showed even development in the opening* and middle of the game, but as neither contestant was willing to take risks a draw was decided at move 22. Dyer v. Heenan. Queen's pawn. This was" also an even game and a draw was agreed upon after three hours of play. Jones v. Taylor. Queen's gambit declined. Taylor defended in orthodox style and subsequently developed an isolated pawn, which was well blockaded. In the end both players had perpetual- check, neither being in a position to try for the win and a draw was decided on at move 34. Dunlop v. Scott. Sicilian defence. There was no outstanding feature in the contest, but at times the game was tricky and at move 56 a draw was agreed upon. Cole v. McNabb. Queen's pawn. This was an even game most of the way and. although Cole was a pawn up aggressive rooks of McNabb compensated for the advantage. Finally a black pawn reached the seventh rank and at move 41 McNabb announced mate in two and won.

Kelling v. Rutherfurd. French defence. This was a tight game. It was adjourned with Kelling a pawn up, but a great deal of play is left and whether the veteran player can take advantage of the position remains to be seen in the end of the game. PREMIER RESERVE TOURNEY Sixth Round

N. Cromarty (Wanganui) beat W. R. Aislabic (Napier). N. R. Meads (Napier) beat A Dobson (Christchurch).

S. Smith (Wanganui) beat C. H. Speck (Stratford). R. G. Wade (Wellington) beat R. Christensen (Palmerston North). D. Whitlock (Wanganui) v. B. Beach (Wanganui), unplayed.

Seventh Round Aislabie beat Dobson. Meads drew with Speck,

Smith drew with Christensen Wade drew with Whitlock.

Beach v. Cromarty, unfinished