CHESS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18961, 7 January 1930, Page 4

CHESS.

(By W. S. KING).

Items of Interest are Invited and the editor will be pleased to answer questions concerning any branch of the game of chess. Short games having points of merit will be welcomed for publication. Solutions of a problem should be sent within a. week of appear-

PROBLEM No. 433. By H. W. Grant, Victoria.

Black (seven men).

White (five men). r 4 k 2, 4 R B 1 r, 5 p 1 P, 2 p 5,8, b 3 Q 3, 1 p 6, 1 K 6. White to play and mate In two moves.

SOLUTION. Problem No. 432, by O. Wurzburg, two moves. Key move, B B 2. TO CORRESPONDENTS. J.H. (Christchurch) and Rook (Christchurch). —Solution correct. F.K.K. (Wellington).—Many thanks for favours, which are greatly appreciated. N.Z. CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. For the score of the accompanying game, played in the third round of the New Zealand chess championship on December 27, between E. H. Severne (Nelson) and C. Purdy (Sydney), I am indebted to Mr F. K. Kelling. Mr Kelling, twice champion of New Zealand, has played several very fine games at the tournament (held in Wanganui), and, though not this year ope of the leaders, has nevertheless demonstrated that he is still a master player. His i esourcefulness is an object lesson, as Mr Severne must have realised in the draw by perpetual check that Mr Kelling accomplished against him in their tourney game, wlien Mr Severne looked likely to score the winning points. During his all too brief spare moments at the congress, Mr Kelling not only found time to secure and send me the score of the game, but to forward also the chatty communication which appears further on in this column. Mr Severne, who has played so splendidly in the championship, and to whom all chess players will offer their hearty congratulations, is an ex-president and captain of the Canterbury Chess Club. His erstwhile chess friends here were hoping- that he would have maintained his unbeaten record, which he spll had at the close of the ninth round. However, Mr Gundersen, of Melbourne, who defeated him in the tenth round, is without question one of the very best chess players that Australia has ever possessed. He is indeed a worthy champion. Sicilian Defence. White—Severne. Black—Purdy.

Purdy’s game suffered because of lack of development of his queen's pieces and being compelled to play king to bishop square on the ninth move. Severne played’ faultlessly, and concluded the game prettily. It is a typical Severne game—stylish, correct and subtle, without being unduly aggressive. Local chess players will find much to please them in running over the score of this smart little game. CHESS CONGRESS NOTES. Mr F. K. Kelling sends me the following interesting Dominion championship notes from 'Wanganui, dated New Year’s Day:— With only five more rounds to go, many people are now trying to “ pick the winner.” The game Gundersen v. Severne in Round 10 will, of course, have a big bearing on the championship. Purdy (three down) and Erskine (three down) have both taken all their big risks, and are expected to win their remaining fixtures. The play is of a good standard, and we are having an enjoyable if somewhat strenuous contest. There should be a close finish to this exceptionally Interesting tournament. Mr T. H. Battle, the local honorary secretary, has been laid aside by illness for seVeral months. His many friends were delighted to learn that on Boxing Day he was well enough to attend the formal opening of the congress, at which fine speeches of welcome and good washes were made by the Mayor of Wanganui (Mr Rogers), the Hon W. A. Veitch, M.P., and Mr J. T. Hogan, M.P. These were happily responded to by Messrs G. Gundersen (Victorian champion) and J. A. Erskine (present New Zealand champion). We had an enjoyable motor outing on Sunday afternoon, the distance covered being about thirty miles, with a halt for afternoon tea at the Virginia Lake kiosek. The Rev Mr Jeffreys (the Auckland representative) says this is a “ bachelors’ congress (eight of the fourteen competitors are unmarried!). Purdy (who is now a 8,A.) tells me the sad news that Crakanthorp, sen. (father of the present Australian champion), died in Sydney on December 16 (just over a fortnight ago). [ lam also told that the Rev Mr Millar (the Westport congress player) lost his wife recently. I understand that she died in Sydney, to which place she went for treatment by a specialist. J. C. Grierson (now champion of Auckland for the twelfth time, and twice champion of New Zealand) is a regular spectator. He intended to compete. but withdrew his entry when urged not to take part in such a strenuous affair. W. Toomath, the new honorary secretary of the N.Z.C.A., has come up from Wellington to honour the congress with his presence.

IP — K 4 1 p — QB4 2 Kt — K B 3 2 P — K 3 3P — Q 4 3 P x P 4 Kt x P 4 Kt — K B 3 5 Kt — Q B 3 5 B — Kt 5 6B — Q 3 f»P — Q 4 7 P x P 7 Kt x P SB — Q 2 8 P — K4 9 B — Kt 5 ch 9 K — B sq 10 Kt x Kt 10 B x B ch 11 Q x B 11 Q x Kt 12 Q — Kt 4 ch 12 K — Kt sq 13 Kt — B S 13 B — Q 2 14 R — Q sq 14 Q — K 3 15 B x B 15 Kt x B 18 Q x P 16 Kt — Kt 3 17 Q x R ch 17 Resigns. (Time—Severne, 54min; Purdy, 49mrn.)