CHESS NOTES

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2777, 22 May 1916, Page 9

CHESS NOTES

A large number of spectators attended at tho X'.M.C.A. rooms on Saturday evening to witness the first day's play in the annual twelve-aside telegraphic match between the Canterbury and Wellington, Chess Clubs. Play commenced shortly before 7 p.m., and proceeded witli unusual dispatch owing to very complete arrangements made beforehand, and the fact tnat the two operators, Messrs. Clark (Wellington) and Bennett (Christchurch), are botti well versed in chess. Mr. R. A. Joseph umpired for the Wellington Chess Club, and Air. A. Gyles for tne Canterbury Club. Messrs. Bock, Kerry, and Hides acted as scrutineers. Interest centred mainly in tho game between the two captains, Messrs. . Severne and Barnes, which was played over tho Board, as the former is spending term holidays here. On the first evening (Wednesday) Mr. Barnes castled prematurely, and lost his Queen for two Bishops. In the final stages on Saturday he made a great effort to'secure a draw, but in vain. At the right moment Mr. Severne (who has enlisted and will leave with one of the later Keiuforcouients) gave up Queen for rook and pawn, leaving each player with two locked pawns. Mr. Severne, however, had the opposition, and scored an instructive win at move 72. _ ■ - The Canterbury team, which was minus the services of Mr. Buckett, alßo scored wins at boards 7 and 9, so. that their prospects of again defeating Wellington are looking rather rosy. As the remaining nine games have reached interesting stages, it is expected that there will be a large attendance of spectators next Saturday evening. The results so far are as follow, the, Canterbury player's name being given first in each ease:— 1. Severne v. Barnes (Four Knights' opening).—Won in fine style by the former, as indicated above. 2. Cumberworth r. W. E. Mason (Scotch Gambit).—The latter is a pawn to the good, with a promising game. 3. H. Kennedy v. W. Mackay (Vienna Game).—Even. i. Nightingale r. Still (Centre game).— Even. 5. Lovell-Smith v. Kelling (Philidor's Defence).—The former sacrificed a Knight for two pawns to secure a hot attack. Kelling was able to secure relief by forcing exchanges, aiid thus emerged from a tight corner with the preferable game. 6. Woodford v. Fouhy (Queen's Gambit declined).—The latter has won a pawn, and has the better game. 7. Joyce v. Barraud (French Defence).— Tho former won a Bishop and pawn in tho early stages, and scored at move 28, thus retrieving - his loss to Mr. Barraud of a year ago. 8. Gourlay v. S. Gyles (Queen's Gambit declined).—The latter is a pawn, to the good, and has the beter' game. Hawkins v. S. Mackay (Euy Lopez).— The latter got a very cramped game. Mr. Hawkins played very forceful chess, ami scored at the 20th move. 10. Gant v. Fell (Queen's .Gambit declined).—A well-fought game, but Mr. Fell appears to have the advantage, as ho is winning a nawn. 11. Shillito v. 11. A. Ward (Three Knights' game).—Even. 12. Black v. Tyer (Queen's Gambit declined).—Even. To sum up, the Canterbury Club has three wins, against which the Wellington Chib can only show a minor advantage at five of the remaining nine boards. Tho local players will therefore require to mako a supreme effort next Saturday if they wish to avert defeat. There should be some fine and instructive finishes in this interesting .contest.