CHESS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20611, 28 December 1936, Page 4

CHESS

DOMINION CONGRESS OPENING DAY’S PLAY By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND, December 26. Fourteen players are engaged in the New Zealand chess championship, which opened on Saturday. After the players had been welcomed they had a business meeting and decided to play afternoons and evenings, leaving the mornings free for the continuation of adjourned games. The first round continued on Saturday night, the draw being as follows, the first named playing white in each instance—D. I. Jones (Auckland) v. V. H. McNab (Auckland), E. H. Seveme (Wellington) v. D. Lynch (Hastings), H. R. Abbott (Christchurch) v. J. A. Erskine (Invergilli, I. Hunter (Christchurch) v. G. P. Anderson (Wellington), C. B. Newick (Auckland) v. K. Beyer (Wellington), F. K. Kelling (Wellington) v. R. o. Scott (Wanganui), I. Burry (Auckland) v. S. Hinden (Christchurch). The absence of players from overseas and the fact that the holder of the title, Giles, is not present has robbed the tournament of some of its glamour of former years. The players, however, are a reppresentative lot, and some thrilling contests should result as play proceeds and the contestants are in a position to judge the playing powers of their adversaries. On the adjournment on Saturday four games were completed and three adjourned. Scott defeated Kelling, Burry defeated Hlndon, and Anderson defeated Hunter, while Severne notched his usual draw against Lynch. The Play Seveme v. Lynch (four knights)— After an orthodox development of exchanges in the middle game had left an even pawn pposition with one rook each, neither could force an issue and a draw was agreed upon at move 30. Newick v. Beyer (irregular)—This was adjojumed at move 46 with the board in favour of the Wellingtonian. Newick has two minor pieces and a pawn against a rook and four pawns. Jones v. McNab (queen’s pawn)— The game was in no way spectacular. At the adjournment 41 moves had been recorded. Both players are equal in material with queen, rook and six pawns. White had the attack with a slight positional advantage. Abbott v. Erskine (queen's pawn)— Greenfield defence)—This was a hard fought game and was adjourned at move 52, Erskine being a pawn up. Kelling v. Scott (Sicilian defence)— Scott developed more rapidly than his opponent and won a pawn early, castling on opposite sides. Scott’s attack on the king's wing was quicker than Kelling’s attack on the queen's side. Kelling resigning at move 44.

Burry v. Hindin (Sicilian defence! —Burry gave up a pawn in the early stages for an attack and Hindin’s position became cramped. As the middle game pproceeded Burry regained his pawn and superior position. He pressed the attack whch forced Hindin’s resignation at move 36. Hunter v. Anderson (Reti’s opening) —The game was even until the nineteenth move when Hunter initiated an unsound combination, giving up two pieces for a rook and a pawn. Later Anderson made a fine combination with bishop, knight and rook, which freed Hunter's resignation at move 43.

In the premier reserve tourney, 15 players are taking part, including three Women who entered for the women’s championship, but which was abandoned on account of inefficient entries. Mitchell (Christchurch) beat Stephens (Wellington'. Langabeer (Auckland) beat R. Christensen (Palmerston North), Moloney (Wellington) a bye. The remainder of the games were adjourned.