CHESS CONGRESS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1943, 29 December 1913, Page 5

CHESS CONGRESS.

A DEFEAT FOR GRIERSON. (By Tclesrdi/h—Press Association.) Auckland, December 28. To dato the following games have been played at tho Chess .Congress. Play was commenced at 2.30 p.m., and Mr. C. Little again acted as umpire. F. K. Kclling (Wellington) v. 8. W. Moore (Masterton) —Ruy Lopez. Moore (black) securcd a quick development at the cost of-au isolated pawn. He made a slip in the middle of the game, which cost him the exchange. However," he gamely pushed on with tho attack with advanced pawn, but ultimately mado a slip, leaving tho knight unsupported, and resigned at the 43rd move. > Mason (Wellington) v. James (Wellington)— Queen's Pawn Opening. At the 4th move James (black) lost a pawn. Later on ho made a weak move in a difficult position, entailing tho loss of two pieces, and resigned at tho 22nd move.

Wingfiold (Auckland) v. Grierson (Auckland)—Grierson adopted tho Sicilian Defence. After a long and tough strugglo tho champion had to lower his colours. This was naturally the surprise of tho session. Myers (Auckland) v. Davies (Auckland)—Ruv Lopez. Tho opening was on quiet lines, and very even. After the exchaugo of two minor pieces Myers (white) won a pawn. A tough middle gamo followed. At the 30th move Myers played indifferently, allowing Davies to gain a hold which he never relinquished. At tho 47tli move Davies announced mato in three; i creditable gamo to the colt.

The games Stewart v. Miles (Scotili), Barnes v. Dodds (Lopez), and Gyles v. Hicks (Centre Counter) were adjourned. Severno had the bye. The second round commenced yesterday morning, pairing as ■ follows: — James-Barnes, Dodds-Kclling, MooroHieks, Mason-Gyles, Davios-Severne, Miles-Winglield, Grierson-Mvers; Stewart a ble.

Grierson retired on tho recommendation of his medical attendant, on account of a knee,trouble. Ho has been ordered a complete rest. Dodds (Nehon) v. Kclling (Wellington)— Qucon Knight Opening. A dashing game, full of analysis. Neither player mado tho most of his opportunities. .Dodds, playing hurriedly, mado a clip in the middlo gamo which cost him a queen for a rook. Ho immediately resigned. / In tho evening four more games wero completed. Miles (Auckland) v. Wingfiold (Auckland)—Petroff Dcfoncc. Winglield lost a pawn in tho opening, and had. a. cramped position. Later ho sacrificed a knight and bishop for a rook and two pawns, thus freeing his game. Miles then forced «*n cxchango of queens, and tho extra material told in tho end. Winglield resigned wlien ho saw that the gamo was hopeless. Mason (Wellington) v. Gyles (West.port)—lrregular Queen Pawn Opening. A long intricate gamo, level pieces and pawns throughout. Mason smartly effected an exehaiigo of rooks and two kiiights for a rook, knight, and bishop, which left a pawn ending in his favour, but ho afterwards missed his way and allowed Gyles to draw. James (Wellington) v. Barnes (Wellington)— Queen's Gambit Declined. After a solid and protracted fight James was left with a simple pawn, eliding, each having three pawns, and had at least a draw in hand, but. one weak move proved fatal, and Barnes queened first and James resigned.

Moore (Masterton) v. Hicks (Napier) —Hicks adopted his favourite Centre Counter Gambit. Both players developed quickly. Hicks won a pawn in tho middle of the game, and playing the ending with great caic scored a neat mate on tho 40th move.

The game Davies v. Scvenie was unfinished.

By arrangement Stewart, who had the bye, played Myers, who was pairod with .Griorson.