SEVERNE NOW LEADS BY SMALL MARGIN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18959, 3 January 1930, Page 15

SEVERNE NOW LEADS BY SMALL MARGIN.

CHESS TOURNAMENT IN NINTH ROUND. Per Press Association. WANGANUI, January 2. The Dominion chess championship tournament was continued to-day. Following are results:— NINTH ROUND. Hicks v. Purdy.—Purdy adopted the Caro-Kann Defence, the opening giving him a safe defence and Hicks a very straggling pawn position. Ilicks attacked well, but just lacked the one move to make it effective. Purdy then attacked and gained two minor pieces for a rook, following which he was able to force exchanges, which gave him an overwhelming pawn position, and Hicks resigned. Severne v. Jeffreys.—Jeffreys adopted the French Defence, and in the opening get a bad pawn position, with pawn advanced to King’s Bishop’s four. Severne was unable to make good his attack and a critical position arose. In the exchange of pieces Severne’s pawns became doubled. A weak move by Jeffreys gave Severne a pawn and later he won a second pawn. Jeffreys’ game then fell to pieces. Beyer v. Kelling.—This was a very interesting Queen's Bishop’s Gambit. The opening was even, but in the middle game Kelling won the exchange and set up rather a good attack. Exchanges gave Beyer an opening, and his threat was so strong that Kelling gave up the exchange to extricate his king. Although Kelling had two connected pawns to Beyer's one, the latter’s clever play with rook forced a draw. Scott v. Topp.—Topp accepted the Danish Gambit offered by Scott, and the latter’s free development gave him great chances of attack. Topp was Kent hard pressed for several moves, having

to provide defence in unexpected places. Scott won a piece and effected exchanges which left Topp’s position more hopeless, and thus won a game that, if it had been more carefully played, might have provided a brilliancy. Anderson v. Oundersen.—The Queen’s Bishop’s Gambit was offered by Anderson. exchanges in the opening leaving a most unusual Queen’s Pawn game. Anderson castled on the queen's side and advanced his king rook’s pawn, .supported by the rook. Oundersen skilfully provided the necessary defence, and at the same time prepared for attack. Anderson was perhaps over careful and played two safety moves, which delayed his attack. Oundersen. with a pawn at king’s seventh, pushed it on to queen and Anderson was unable to give perpetual check and resigned. Pleasants v. Erskine.—Erskine adopted the Alekhine Defence, the first time this defence had been used in the tournament. A very carefully played and most interesting game resulted. Pleasants set up a good attack, which Erskine was able to repel by advancing his king’s side pawns. Pleasants later missed the chance to win a pawn, and bv two hurried, weak moves gave Erskine the advantage, which he soon turned to good account and Pleasants resigned. Fail burn v. Rutlierfurd.—This was a Queen’s Pawn game, in which Fairburn built up a steady attack, but could not drive it home. In manoeuvring for position in the middle game Fairburn left his queen unsupported, but Rutherfurd. moving quickly, missed winning a piece. The end game was a pawn struggle, which resulted in a draw.

POSITION OK PLAYERS. End of Ninth Round. Won. Lost. Drawn. Total. Severne 7 o 2 2 Gundersen .... 7 1 l 7£ Anderson .... 5 1 3 <>1 Erskine 5 2 2 «i Purdy '6 3 0 6 Kellinff 4 2 3 55 Jeffreys .... 3 4 2 4 Pleasants .... 4 5 o 4 Rutherf urd ... 2 3 4 4 Scott 3 5 1 3 5 Beyer 2 ii 1 2* Mirks 4 5 1 Knirburn ....0 (* 3 li Topp .1 7 1 JA