GUNDERSEN WINS CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18960, 6 January 1930, Page 10

GUNDERSEN WINS CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP.

SEVERNE IS ONE POINT BEHIND. Per Press Association. WANGANUI, January 6. The final round of the chess tourney was played to-day. Results: Scott v. Anderson.—Anderson adopted the French Defence, and both players pawned knights and changed off to open their files. Scott castled in front °f Anderson’s open file. Exchanges prevented any telling combinations, and after the exchange of queens Anderson had the better of the rook and pawn ending and Scott resigned. Rutherfurd v. Jeffreys.—Jeffreys played the Queen’s Fiauchetto Defence to Rutherfurd’s opening, and the latter secured the better development. Rutherfurd held the attack throughout the game. After the exchange of minor pieces Rutherford still dominated the position, though Jeffreys had improved his defence. No advantage being gained after long, careful play, a draw was agreed to.

Purdy v. Pleasants.—This Queen’s Bishop’s Gambit provided one of the most lively openings of the tournament, involving serious threats and rapid exchanges of pieces, including queens. Pleasants was then left with the weaker pawn position, and Purdy was able to win two pawns. Pleasants then resigned.

Hicks v. Beyer.—Hicks adopted Reti’s opening, and a very even game resulted by exchanging bishop for knight. Beyer opened the bishop’s file, and for some moves dominated the position. A curious position arose in which each player in turn was threatened with a loss, and a repetition of moves to prevent this caused the game to be drawn. Fairburn v. Erskine. —Fairburn played the Queen’s Bishop’s Gambit. After an even development Fairburn set up a combination to dominate the centre. Erskine played carefully and gave Fairburn an opportunity to win a queen for two rooks. A critical position arose for Fairburn's king, and in capturing a pawn he lost a queen for a rook and resigned. Kelling v. Gundersen.—ln this Sicilian game Kelling seemed to get the better postion. After castling Gundersen played a pawn to bishop 4 and opened up his position for a counter attack. He won the centre pawn and could perhaps have forced a win, but he was content to offer Kelling a draw*, which was accepted. Topp v. Severne.—Topp played the Queenee’s pawn opening and obtained a better development than did Severne and was able to prevent Severne opening up for an attack. He was unable to force the position and Severne accepted the draw that was offered.

The position of the players is as fol lows:—

CHESS CHAMPION HAS FINE RECORD. Per Press Association. WANGANUI, January 6. Mr Gundersen, the new Dominion champion, has been an outstanding figure in Melbourne chess circles foi many years, and is still in the front rank, being the present holder the title of champion of Victoria. He was born of Norwegian parents in IS£2. Chess came into his sphere of activities at the end of his first year at Melbourne University in 1901. In 1904 he played as a non-member in the Melbourne Chess Club handicaps. In the same year he played for the championship, and was second to Mr Watson. He has played three times ‘n the Australian championship tourney, being fourth on each occasion He Las won the championship of his State twelve times, and was the first Victorian chess master to visit Europe in quest of honours. At the outbreak of the war, he was taking part in the masters’ tourney in Germany, and succeeded in escaping internment with difficulty. lie now has added to his laurels, winning the Dominion championship on his first essay, with the fine score of eleven out of thirteen

Gundersen w. 10 L. 1 D. 2 Pts. 11 Severne 8 1 4 10 Purdy .. 10 3 0 10 Anderson S 3 2 9 Erskine 8 3 2 9 Kelling .. 5 2 6 8 Pleasants 5 8 0 5 Beyer .. 4 7 2 5 Scott 4 7 2 5 Hicks 1 5 7 45 Jeffreys 3 7 3 41 Rutherford 2 0 5 41 Fair bum 1 8 4 3 Topp 1 9 3 21