CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 287, 8 January 1915, Page 8

CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP.

DOMINION CONGRESS.- -• CONCLUDING BOUND TO-DAY. The twelfth round Of' the Now Zealand Ohess Championship was played yesterday, and resulted in'-' two surprises. These wera the d'e'feat 'of Mr Barnes by the Rev. C. E. Pox, ani} i ,. i Mr i Pleagant's victory over Mr GriersoQ. The defeat-pi' Mr Barnes make* the Victory of Mr- Kelling in the championship almost assured, these two, but'.'for'unfinished games, having been even in the lead. Details of the play are as under:— C. E. Fox V. Barnea.—At the fourjudiciiirus ! teriigli t■' mow • : "$ the result of lack of time) cost Mr Barnes ft. pawn. Later a second pawn fell, and, losing a rook in the final assault, Mr Barnes re- ; Pieajfants v. Griersofl.—A .. fine fighting game |p"&k v '{#ace>- and Rafter th*) exchange ,'jfcE Piieasants was left withf&rt attacking' a&vttaiage, and Mr Griersori jiadl isolated doubled pawns to protect. 'Mr. Pleasants played good chess in the concluding stages, and won. - > Kelling y„. Se.verne. ; —Mr Severne first succeeded" irwretting an opening, and his threat to bring a mate by a rook sacrifice was prevented, but at the loss of a paw* by Mr Kelling. ' Queens and all rooks w.ere then exchanged, and later Mr Kelling won back the pawn., The. game is unfinished.

; Buckett v. Moore.—Mr. Buckett won. a. pawn at the twentieth move, but Mr Moore developed a promising attack. -After a hard fight honours were even, and a draw was agreed to. • v Mara v. Hill.—A lively contest took place froin the sixteenth move, and most of ihe big pieces were exchanged. Mr Mara obtained an advantage, and finally won.

Hicks v. Dodds. —Mr Dodds defended cleverly against Mr Hicks's attack. a n d » draw was agreed to. At the evening session Mr Barnes defeated Mr Mara in their unfinished game of the, eleventh round, and Mr Severne and Mr Hilt drew their uncompleted game of the same round. Mr Dodds and Mr Hicks concluded their twelfth round game, which was drawn. All unfinished games will be concluded/at the earliest opportunity. ! The last round will be played to-day, iaiict the chess supper will be held at Henrietta's Tea Rooms at 3 o'clock to-night, when; thaprizes will be presented. The draw for the final round is as follows: W. C. Hill v. Rev C. E. Fox, S. Mara vl F. K, Kelling, E. H. Severne v. J. C. Orierson r . W. 11. Buckett v. O. C. Pleasants. <M;F. Dodds v. S. W. Moore, E. Hicks v. Rev. ;B. G. Pox, it. J. Barnes a bye.