Traps.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVLI, Issue 10, 6 September 1911, Page 10

Traps.

The play slipwn below is described in Gossip's “Chess Players Vade-Mecum” as "a notable trap in the Ginoco Piano.” It hardly comes within our conception of a trap, because the ensnarement is not immediate. Indeed, the subsequent play requires great care and circumspection to prevent the victim's escape. The play might perhaps more aptly be likened to the weaving of a spider’s web, or the playing of a trout. However, the play is so full of interest and excitement that we think our readers will relish it perhaps even more than an ordinary t rap. The web is wovien thus:—After 1. p K 4. P K 4, 2. KKt 18, QKt-IB; 3. B 84, B B 4; 4. P -Q3, Kt B 3; 5. Castles. P—Q3; 6. QB—Kts, P KR3; 7. B 114, P KKt 4. 8. QB —Kt3, Black continues P —KR4, leaving his KIP to be taken. If White takes the Pawn, the game proceeds: U. KtxP P K 5 Steinitz claims to have first brought out the idea of this counter-attack (starting from Black's 6t-h move) in the London tournament of 1802 in a game against Signor Dubois (white), who, however, at this point played 9. I’—KR4. Ju his Modern Chess Instructor” (from which the text and most of the following notes are taken), he suggests that if White here plays P KR3, the following continuation : 9 P—R5; 10. B R2, I’ Kts; 11. PxP (or 11. Kt—Kts, R B sq.), KtxP—gives Black a strong attack. 10. KtxP Pxß 11. KtxQ QB - Kts At this point Gossip leaves one to find (the right continuation, which is not unlike putting a man down on a deserted mining field on a wet and dark night, and telling him to find the hotel, where he will get a change, and a good feed. 12. Q -Q2 If 12. Kt 87, Black’s best answer, is 12. RxP. which leads to the same position by a transposition of moves. 12 ■ Kt -Q5 13. Kt B 7 If 13. P KR3, Kt -K7 ch; 14. K—R sq, RxP ch; 15. PxR, B Bti mate. If 13. PxP. Kt - Bti dbl. ch; 14. K R sq, lixP mate. 13 - RxP 14. Kt Ktl K—K2 15. Q K 3 Kt K 7 ch lii. QxKt QR—R sq 17. Kt—R3 BxQ 18. Kt -Q2 .Kt —Kts 19. P—Q4 BxP 20. Bxß ; QRxKt 21. PxR PxP ch 22. RxP BxK ch followed by Kt —K6 mate. The concluding moves are borrowed from Salvioli.

ITEMS. We learn from the “Illustrated London News" that the 58th annual report of the City of London Chess Club, recently issued, presents a continued satisfactory chronicle of progress and success. The outstanding feature of the year was the victory over America, by ‘which the New nes Challenge Cup becomes the absolute property of the club.

Auckland Workingmen's Club. A well attended meeting of the chess and draughts playing members of the (Auckland Workingmen’s Club was held in the club’s social hall, < tvburg-street, last Wednesday, when it was decided to form a chess and draughts section on lines somewhat similar to those obtaining in the sister club in Wellington. The following sectional committee was appointed: President. Mr. C. F. Mark, the president of the club; hull, sec., Mr. W. Tyennau; hon. treas., Mr. Chas. Clarke; additional members of com* tnittee, Messrs. Geo. Donaldson, E. A. de Montalk. P. Mackay, and .1. Trickett, with Mr. R. Barends as consulting member. The appointment of handicaqqiers nmi referee was left in the hands of the Sectional Committee. We understand it is intended to start matches ■nd tournaments as soon as possible.

Hamilton Chea* Club. The return match with Tauranga, which was played by telegraph, resulted In a wiu for Tauranga by 5 game* to 4. ■

At the request of Tauranga, the Hamilton club left out their 4 top players. A farewell social was recently given to Mr. J. Rendell (president of the club), prior to his leaving the district. The first part of the evening was taken up with a f’skittles” tourney, 15 seconds being allowed for each move. At the.end of two hours’ play Mr. R. Mears was declared the winner with HA wins out of 10 games played. After supper Air. VV. 11. Worsley, on behalf of ‘the club, conveyed to Air. Rendell the regret of the members at losing his services, also their appreciation of him as a man, and as a chess-player. Messrs McCrea and Stonehouse also spoke, after which Mr. Rendell, in feeling terms, thanked the members for their expressions of esteem. A handicap tournament has been in progress for some time, and is nearing completion. Ihe handicapping is by pieces. Messrs. Worsley, Going, and McCrea are leading. The committee are endeavouring to arrange a telegraphic match with Masterton.

Wellington Chess Club. The six players who qualified for the “Petherick Finals” were paired as follows in the first round: Kelling v. Gyles, Hicks v. Cimino, and Fouhy v. Carman. Gyles, as was expected, maintained his unbeaten record, proving too good for the scratch man who had to concede the odds of knight and move. Hicks, giving the odds of rook and move, won from ('imino after a desperate struggle. Carman, receiving pawn and move, beat Fouhy. The ladder match, Purchas v. Gyles, was won by the former. The second game in the James-Hicks match ended, after a prolonged contest, in a draw. The ‘New Zealand Times” states that a tourney, to decide the championship of ihe Wairarapa district, will shortly be played *n two sections—North v. South— Die two winners ultimately playing off until one of them scores three wins. This will afford a sure test of superiority. We hope the two winners will live long enough to see it out.

Solution of Position No. 106 (Shinkin an.) 1. R—R4, B--Q5 (any other reply means sudden death.) «. > 2. R—QKt4 Any move. 3. R mates.