CHESS CONGRESS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 2, 4 January 1939, Page 9

CHESS CONGRESS

N.Z. CHAMPIONSHIP THREE PLAYERS LEVEL INTERESTING STAGE REACHED. An interesting stage has been reached in the championship competition at the New Zealand chess congress, three competitors being equal with 71 points each. They are the veteran Wellington player, F. K. Kelling, H. McNabb (Nelson) and J. B. Dunlop (Dunedin). Only two rounds remain to be played in the championship. Kelling, McNabb and Dunlop have played their 11 games. J. A. Erskine (Invercargill) is next with 64 points, R. O. Scott (Wanganui) has six points with one unfinished game, D. I. Jones (Auckland) 54 points with one unfinished game and E. H. Rutherfurd (Stratford) and E. H. Severne (Wellington) five points. Both have one game unfinished. The twelfth round will be played to-night and the final round to-morrow afternoon, the adjourned and unfinished games to be played at the night session. The premier reserve was won by R. G. Wade (Wellington) with 74 points. The unfinished game between Wade and N. M. Cromarty (Wanganui), upon which rested the honour of second place, was won by Cromarty, who fills second position half a point behind Wade. Third place was decided by a delayed game between B. Beach "(Wanganui) and H. P. Whitlock (Wanganui), Beach winning the game to share the honour of third place with R. Christensen (Palmerston North). Both players scored six points. Results of the matches played in the New Zealand championship yesterday were as follow, the 10th. round being played in the afternoon and the 11th round at the night session:— Tenth Round. D. Heenan (Hastings) v. D. I. Jones (Auckland). Queen's gambit declined. When the game was adjourned at the end of the session Heenan had a knight tied up at move 44. Although the material is equal it appears that Heenan will be obliged to lose the exchange. F. K. Kelling (Wellington) v G. Cole (Nelson).—Sicilian defence. At move 13 Kelling won a knight for a pawn and this enabled him to put on the pressure. After Cole had lost additional material, he resigned at move 43. E. Rutherfurd (Stratford) v. J. B. Dunlop (Dunedin).—Queen's pawn. In the middle game Rutherfurd won a knight for a pawn and then made every post a winner with an accurate exposition, of the game. Dunlop was forced to resign at move 38. R. O. Scott (Wanganui) v. C. J. Taylor (Auckland).—Queen's pawn. This was a hard-fought game an? was adjourned with Taylor a pawn to the good. W. J. Fairburn (Wellington) v. E. H. Severne (Wellington).—Queen’s pawn. Fairburn lost a pawn at the 19th. move through an oversight. Severne pressed home his advantage and won another pawn soon afterward. His attack was then overwhelming and he won at move 26. J. A. Erskine (Invercargill) v. E. J. Dyer (Wellington). Reti opening. Early in the middle game Dyer lost material and resigned at move 25 when he was in a hopeless position. H. McNabb (Nelson) v. D. Lynch (Hastings).—Reti opening. McNabb obtained an aggressive position after winning a pawn in the middle game. Lynch defended cleverly and won back his pawn on a threat to fork two rooks. A draw was then agreed to. Eleventh Round. Dunlop v. Erskine.—Sicilian defence. Erskine went astray in the opening and resigned at the 30th. move when a 'mate was inevitable. Jones v. McNabb.—Queen’s gambit, Slav defence. Both players attacked simultaneously. McNabb's tactics gave him priority and he announced ’mate in five at move 24. He carried out the contract. Cole v. Fairburn.—Queen's gambit, Slav defence. Cole won a pawn at the 29th. move after orthodox play and exchanged two moves later. Fairburn resigned soon afterward. Dyer v. Kelling.—Queen's pawn. An early attack by Dyer prevented Kelling from castling and pushing home his advantage. Kelling resigned at move 29 when ’mate was inevitable. Severne v. Scott.—Four knights game. Scott won a pawn in the opening at the expense of his development but lost a piece early in the middle game as he was unable to counter various threats. After the queens were exchanged, Severne was able to win a rook or 'mate as an alternative and he finally won on move 27. Lynch v. Rutherfurd.—Nimzovitch defence. The positions were even in the middle game until a series of exchanges threatened which would leave bishops of the opposite colour. A draw was agreed to. Taylor v. Heenan.—Queen’s gambit, Slav defence. After 33 moves with even material and a blocked position on each side a draw was agreed to. The following is the draw for the twelfth round to be played to-night:— Fairburn v. Scott. ■ Heenan v. Severne. McNabb v. Taylor. Rutherfurd v. Jones. Erskine v. Lynch. Kelling v. Dunlop. Cole v. Dyer.

AUSTRALIAN TOURNEY NEW ZEALANDER BEATEN IN SEVENTH ROUND Received Jan. 3, 5.5 p.m. SYDNEY, Jan. 3. In the seventh round of the chess championship, A. Nield, New South Wales, beat A. W. Gyles, New Zealand.