CHESS CONGRESS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1012, 30 December 1910, Page 6

CHESS CONGRESS.

FIFTH ROUND CONCLUDED. TV. E. MASON STILL LEADING. lliy Tolccraph.—Press Association.! > ' Timaru, December 29. The fiftt Touricl of the New Zealand, chess championship was commenced this morning. Play was discontinued at midday, the players spending the afternoon in bowling and other recreations, and the games were concluded in the evening. Details of the piny in this round are as follow:— Hicks v. J. Mason (Ruy Lopez).—Mason defended on Steinitz/s favourite plan, but gained no advantage till the real struggle commenced, when Hicks placed weakly, allowing Mason to score a win on. the twenty-filth move. • Barnes v. .Grierson (Ruy Lopez).—This game quickly reached maturity. Grierson playing this, as all'his former ones, below (lis standard 1 collapsed on the • twentyninth move.

Dunlop v. Beck (King's Gambit).— By \ playing an unorthodox defence, Beck avoided for a time the dangers lor which this opening is noted, and obtained an attack. To avoid perpetual check or mate or move, Dunlop sacrificed a queen for a rook and a bisiiop, subsequently gaining another'piece, and won on. the thirteenth move. Davies v. W. E. Mason (Queen's Gambit declined).—Declining acceptance of the Gambit, Mason adopted the French Defence, and the game followed book lines for a while. Equal pieces and almost identical positions remained at th© adjournment hour. Upon this game practically depends the final result. - After the adjournment Davies appeared to gain a strategic advantage, but Mason desired no more than a draw to secure first position practically, and never allowed that ohance to slip.. Interesting and sound play on both sides resulted in a draw. Gyles v. Fox, (Scotch Gambit). —Gyles outplayed his opponent for a piece in an open game, and prevented co-operation of the rook, while .keeping a strong pressure on tho king's citadel. Gyles failed to make the most, of his advantage, and reached the end 6f the game with isolated pawns and.bishop against unobstructed pawns in combination. Correct play froin the adjourned position should have secured Fox a victory, but'; end-game play is not his strong point and he could only draw.

The only unfinished game, ,that between Barries arid J. Mason, was. further adjourned. , •' The following are the scores at the end of the fifth round:— Won. lost. W: E. Masoa ii i' Davies 4 1 ' *Gyles ...v.....'...:......'........ 3 1 *Dunlop ;• 3 1 4 Mara ....... 2 2 ■Rev. Fox 2 ' 2 ,T; Mason 2 2 Hicks .14 3J •Barnes ' 1J 2| 3 Beck, 0 4Grierson 0- . 5 , 'Each'bad a bye.