CHESS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 264, 4 August 1919, Page 3

CHESS

OTAGO v. WELLINGTON.

The above clubs were able to commence their annual match on- Saturday evening through tho good offices of Mr. Talbot, -Superintendent of Telegraphs. The operators, Messrs G. Clark (Wellington) and A. Goodwin (Dunedin) sent the moves through with tho utmost dispatch. An early start was effected and excellent progress was made, the various games having reached a more advanced slags than 1? v.suat on a first evening. Sir. F." J. 3L...-.C umpired for Otago at this end and Mr. W; Alexander officiated for Weilington in Dunedin. Messrs. W. It, Bock, Norman, G. A. Jones/jf.'arohas, Aschfceus and H. E. Einlay acted as scrutineers. Tho match is being followed with mora than ordinary interest as both teams have recently scored a two-point win (8-G) from the Canterbury Club. The Wellington team is a strong ono despite the absence of Messrs. Davies, Still, James, Pitrchas, ■Lee, M'Nair, and Brooker, who are not available on this occasion. Wellington, won the toss, and thus had first move at the odd-numbered boards. The run of tho play was as follows, the Otago name being given first in each instance:- . Board 1: R. A. Cleland.v. R. J. Barnes (Ruy Lopez). Several exchanges have brought the end-game in sight. The local captain prefers his position. I Board 2: 0. Balk v. W. E. , Mason (Blackmar Gambit). The former chose an opening that the books describe as weak. He- lost two pawns and resigned at mSvo 21 when the loss of a piece was inevitable.

Board 3: Eer. Friberg v. W. Mackay (French Defence). Tho former has given up a pawn to avoid a cramped gamo. •Board i: A. Ellis v. Kelliug (Ginoco Piano). Several exchanges have left his gamo in a'very even state.' Board 5: J. H. P. Hamel v. Fouhy (Queen' Gajnbit declined). Tho latter has a two-pawn advantage with good prospects.' Board G: L. D. Coombs v. G. P. Andeioon (Ginoco Piano). Very even. Board 7: S. S. Myers v. Godtschalk (King's Gambit accepted). The formerhas rushed his pawns forward and ihey aro now blocked. A very interesting stage has been reached. Board 8: C. Autmann v. L. Sim (Euy Lopez). Tho latter (who is a returned soldier, and an active member of the Oriental Pootball Club) lias won a pawn. Board 9: A. E. Ward v. S. Gyles' 1 (Centre-counter). fhe former had to givo up his .fiueon for a knight to stavo off ii| mate in two. Gyles should win easily. Board 10: W. H. Allen v. E. S. Taylor (Euy Lopez). Forces and position about even. Board 11: H. H. Henderson v. H. A. Ward (Queen's Pawn gamo). The former has force majeure, having won a blight. . Board 12: Warraaa v. C. W. Tanner (Four Knights' game). This well-fought game is adjourned in a very even state. Board 13: C. H. Block v. S. Faulknor (Queen's Pawn game). The former is endeavouring to regain the laurels lost when these two players met in tho Easter rally at Mosterton. Faulknor's position would probably bo token for choice.

Board Id: D. H. Eastings v. W. C. Whito (Danish Gambit). Tho local player won early in the evoning, at move 17. Board 15: C. W. Grigg v. A. Clark (Buy Lopez). The latter has won a knight for two pawns, with a good game. It will bo seen that tho local side holds a slight advantage. Some 6plondid finishes may bo looked for when the match is concluded on Saturday evening. Mr. Cleland, the Otago champion, has announced that this is his last "match" appearance, and that he is retiring from strenuous play after somo thirty years' service in the Otago Chess Club. Mr. Cleland, it may bo added, holds a New Zealand record in that hescored the whole of his games when winning tho Dominion ohampionship at tho 3898-9 Congress. A two-round matoli between tho chesfl clubs of Hastings and Napier ended in favour of tho latter club by ten games to four. Mr. A. W. Gylea, who has on throo occasions been i runner-up for tho IJew Soaland championship, -,„ expected to'arrivo in Wellington in about a week's timo. Ho was in England when the war broke out, and at onco offered his eer- j .vices for ambulanco work, in which lie was engaged for about four years.