CHESS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIV, Issue 2, 12 January 1910, Page 11

CHESS.

An communications to be addressed to tbe Chess Editor, -The Weekly Graphic and 5 etc Zealand Hail” Auckland. Position No. 23. (From “New York Commercial Adviser.”) Black.

White. Mate in two. FORSYTH NOTATION:—7B; Kt Q 6; 2q2RJK; 8; 3k2Pl; 1B4PI; 2R2P2; 7Kt. NEW ZEALAND CHESS CONGRESS. The Auckland Chess Club, in conjunction with the Working Men’s Club,-are to be congratulated on the very successful management of the tournament for the ehess championship of the Dominion, which was .concluded on Saturday last. The hon. secretary of the Management Comniittee (Mr. Rudolph Barends), and the umpire C. Little),- were in constant. attendance during the hours of play, and the competitors were unanimous in expressing satisfaction with tiieso genuemen tor the highly creditable manner, jp which their arduous duties were carried out. Chess-players throughout New Zealand have Mr. J. A. Connell to thank for the excellent reportsof tbe proceedings furnished to the daily papers. ‘ A social evening was arranged for Thursday, with music items, speeches, and tbe presentation of prizes. The Rev. H. B. Wingfield, president of the Auckland Chess Club, was in the ehair, having on his right his Worship the Mayor of Auckland (Mr. O. Grey). There was a good attendance, including a sprinkling of ladies. The musical items were not forthcoming, and this was a great disappointment—a disappointment, however, that was soon forgotten in the enjoyment of the many humorous speeches that followed. Mr. Jowitt spoke of the promising form shown by the younger players. Messrs. Hicks, Rutherford, Sainsbury, and Severne, Mr. Hicks’ style being specially commended. Pretty button-hok-s were provided by Mrs. Grierson for competitors and members of the committee, for which the lady was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. The prizes were presented by the Mayor to the winners as follows: — Messrs. Grierson and Mason agreed to divide first and second prize-money (each received £l5). and to play the tie for the title of champion only. 3rd prize, £5. Mr. A. W. O. Davies; 4th £3, Mr. R. J. Barnes; sth, £2. divided between Messrs. James and Miles. A trophy, presented by Mr. W. J. Ranger. for the best score against the prizewinners. went to Mr. C. R. Sainsbury. The scores at the end of the last round were as follows: — Won. Lost. Grierson 81 2) Mason 81 2) Davies 6) 4) Barnes 6 5 Miles 5) 5) James 5) 51 Rutherford ........ 5 6 Sainsbury .'. 4) 6) Hicks 4} 6) Freeman 4 7 Severne 4 7 Kelling 3i 7)

Game Played in the Seventh Round. White: E. Hicks; Black: E. J. Miles; Opening: King's B. Gambit. White. Black. 1. P. K 4 P K 4 2. P-KB4 PxP 3. B-B4 Q-R5 ch 4. K B P Q 4 5. BxP P-KKt4 6. Kt QP.3 P-QB3 7. Kt-B3 Q-R4 8. B-Kt3 B-KKt5 9. P-Q4 Kt-Q2 10. Q-Q3 Kt K2 11. B-Q2 B-Kt2 12. Kt-K2 R Q 13. B-Kt4 Kt K* 14. KtxKt BxKt 15. BxKt Kxß 16. P-B3 P B 6 17. Kt Kt PxP. eh 18. KxP KR-B 19. R KB KB-B 4 20. P-KR3 B-B 21. BQ Q Kt 3 22. B Kt 4 P-KR4 23. B-B5 Bxß 24. Pxß Q-B3 25. Kt-B3 R Q 4 26. R-K, eh K-Q2 27. P-B4 RxBP 28. R-K5 P Kts 29. RxR PxKt, ch 30. KxP Q-Kt3 31. R-KKt 32. R K Q-Q3. ch 33. R-K5 P-KB3 34. Q-R7, ch Resigns Grierson and Mason Tie. In the play-off between Messrs. Grierson and Mason the former won the toss, and in reply to P—K4 Mason adopted the “ French defence,” the game, after a long Struggle, resulting in a draw. In the second game,-Mason . played his favourite ” Zukertort opening,” in which Mr. Grierson who was clearly feeling tlie strain of constant play more than his opponent, failed to make the best moves, and. resigned on the 49th move. Mr. Grierson at once rose and called for three cheers for the new champion, and received a similar tribute himself. Mr. Grierson said this was his last attempt at .winning the championship, and thought he would have liked to have wound up his attempts with a successful one. he -was -satisfied that- his- score in this contest, had ..dispelled the idea that his former win was a fluke. The Players. Mr. John Mason, the winner, has been a very consistent performer. On two previous occasions he has tied for the championship, but lost in the play-off. Mr. J. C. Grierson, the runner-up was champic-n of the Dominion about seven years ago, and has been the local champion for many years. Mr. F. K. Kelling, last year's champion, did not show any of his true form, ami it would be very unwise to estimate tbe standard of his play by bis score on ‘Jjis occasion. Mr. R- J. Barnes has taken part In twenty-one eonseeutives congresses. The last ocasion on which he won was »n Auckland four years ago. Although his average of wins is by no means the best, his score is a good one, ineluding, as it does, five ehampionships. E. H. Severne is ” new blood,” and be should improve his position at future contests, as the experience gained with his first attempt ought to stand him in good stead. E. Hicks is also "new blood,” and tbe same applies to him as to Mr. Severne. The other players. Messrs. Freeman, Sainsbury, Rutherford, James, Miles and Davies, have all taken part at previous gatherings. A feature of the recent tournament was the extremely close finish. Even when the last round was in progress no less than five players had a chance of winning. Championship Roll. The following shows tbe winners of the New Zealand chess champion-hip since 1879: — 1879.—H. Hookham, Christchurch. 1888. A. M. Olhvier. 1889. —H. Hookham. 1890. —Barnes. 1891. —F. V. Siedeberg. 1892. —F. V. Siedeberg. 1893. —J. Edwards (Wellington). 1894. W. Mackay. 1895. —W. Meldrum (Rangitikei). 1896. —R. J. Barnes. 1897. —R. J. Barnes. 1898. K. A. Cleland.

1900 (Easter). —W. E. Mason. 1901 (Easter).—D. Forsyth. 1901 (Christmas). —R. J. Barnet, 1902. —J. C. Grierson. 1903. W. E. Mason. 1904. A. W. O. Davies. 1905. —R. J. Barnes. 1906. W. S. Viner (Perth, WJL). 1908 (Easter).—A. W. O. Davis. 1908 (Christmas). —F. K. Kelling.