CHESS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18239, 25 November 1924, Page 6

CHESS.

DOMINION CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS. .The final round in tho telegraphic chess championships between Dominion centres was started on Saturday evening, when a Canterbury team wa>s matched against fifteen Nelson players. One game only, at board 15, was concluded in Canterbury's favour. ProgreE3 is summarised as under, Canterbury players being first named at each board, and playing black at odd numbers. Board I—H. Xj. Andersen v. S. H. Severn©. Four Knights opening. Severne worked up a threatening attack, which, however, collapsed, leaving him with a weakened pawn position.' The Nelson player ia a. pastmaster at the art of drawing, games, and strong play will be needed to avoid thiß result. Board 2 —Hans Kennedy and G. F. Dodds. King's Gambit Declined. Well contested; material even; position Blightly favours local player. . . .. . • Board. 3—Rev. N. Friberg v. B. Hotten. Played over board. Ruy Lopez. Canterbury a pawn down, and the visitor has the further advantage of an open rook's file, on which he is conducting a strong a'jtack against the castled Icing. Defence bo far .sound, but requires careful handling. Board 4—H. J. Quarrell v. G. Cole. — English Opening. A strenuous game. Local .player won a- pawn, but in attempting to retain had ia sacrifice a piece for a further two pawns. The Nelson player was unable to castle, and his king being in a very exposed position and hi 3 three remaining pawns all isolated, advantage appears to be with Canterbury. Board 6 —F. Hawkins v. W. B. Griffin. English Opening. Forces only diminished by a' pawn each. A well contested and even game. Board 6—3". L. Darwin v. J. D. ■ Kemp. Irregular Opening. Canterbury a. piece down," with slight positional advantage in compensation. Hard work in store to sav« for Canterbury. Board 7—R. Lovell-Smith v. A. L. Rowe. Irregular Quee»'s Pawn Opening. A very spirited game. After exchanging queens the city player won bishop for two pawns, and subsequently gained another pawn. With careful play the advantage should be retained and the game go to the local side. Board B—J. 0. Chapman v. ,C. N. • Wilkinson. Queen's Pawn Opening. Canterbury a pawn up and rather better position. Board 9—W. H. Joyco and E. Carrodus. Another Queen's Pawn game. Canterbury has secured open queens' rook file and isolated pawn, which is the present . storm centre. Interesting position, witfh possibilities of strong attack on both sides. Board 10— F. H. H. Neville <v. W. H. Angus. Irregular Centre Opening. Canterbury sent a move erroneously and thereby lost a pawn. The game is very open, and the handicap not yet telling.' Board 11— W. Dalton v. T. Mansell. Evans Gambit Accepted. The positional advantage has not been retained by the_ Nelson player, and *the sacrifice of pawn involved by this opening is beginning to tell. BoaTd 12— B. S. Shillito v. H. Mowbray. Guioco Piano. Steady and even game. Board 13— R. W. Pascoe v. J. T. Harris. Ruy Lopez. Bright open play. Canterbury has eecured the bridge pawn and is attacking strongly, but defence so far quite sound. Board 14— B. Shillito v. J. Satlerly. Scotch Gambit Declined. Yery even game. Board 15—A. J. Stephens v. L. Pocock. Scotch Gambit Accepted. Canterbury player worked off a pretty masked battery attack threatening his opponent's queen and mate in one move. Nelson the bes-t defence, but had to lose two piecj®. after exchange of queens. This left hie game in a hopeless position, and his resignation was secured on thirtieth move.