CHESS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19682, 27 December 1933, Page 7

CHESS

NEW ZEALAND CONGRESS. By Telegraph—Press Association DUNEDIN, December 26. The fourty-third New Zealand Chess Congress opened here this morning. The Rev. Dr. Merrington, New Zealand president, and the Mayor (Rev. E. T. Cox) addressed the gathering, the former declaring the Congress open. The competitors are:— Otago—J. B. Dunlop, D. Plhl and R. Watt. Southland —A. E. Le Petit. Nelson—E. H. Severne. Auckland —D. I. Jones. Wanganui—R. O. Scott. Napier—E. L. Smith. Wellington—A. W. Gii: and R. G. Didsbury. Wellington Working Men’s Club—F. K. Kelling, and E. E. Hicks. The Rev. N. Friberg was nominated by Canterbury but has been prevented from attending through illness. Results: First Round. Jones 1, Watt 0. Le Petit 0, Pihl 1. Smith 0, Severne 1. Scott 1, Didsbury 0. Dunlop v. Kelling 61 moves, and Giles v. Hicks, which was started late this afternoon, are unfinished games. Jones v. Smith (Queens Gambit Declined)—Jones had the move and managed to cramp Black's play. Smith put up a very strong defence and held him at bay for a considerable time. Eventually Jones gained a pawn on the twenty-ninth move, which gave him superiority of position, and developed a strong massed pawn which could not be stopped and Smith resigned on the thirty seventh move. Watt v. Severne—(Ray Lopez opening)—Watt had the move in opening. Owing to the premature advance of queen, Watt lost a pawn. After a number of exchanges Severne had bishop and four pawns against knight and three pawns. Severne threatened to win his opponent’s pawns for a passed pawn. After some careful play on both sides. Watt resigned on the forty-ninth move. Le Petit v. Scott (Sicilian Defence)— Le Petit had the move and the game proceeded on fairly even lines, Le Petit forcing an exchange of minor pieces. This led to Scott being able to adopt a strong position. To avoid the loss of a pawn Le Petit set up a strong attack and exchanged queen for rook. His attack, however, failed. His weakened position let Scott win another pawn and he forced his opponent’s resignation on the twenty-eighth move.

Pihl v. Didsbury (Queen's Gambit Declined)—Didsbury had the move and Pihl replied with an irregular defence. After 20 moves had been played Pihl won two pawns. Didsbury made an excellent defence and the game from now on was exceptionally interesting. At a later stage Didsbury had rook and knight, while Pihl had four pawns united with his king. Eventually Pihl wore Didsbury down and past pawns won the game for him on the fifty-eighth move.