CHESS CONGRESS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 79, 29 December 1919, Page 6

CHESS CONGRESS

FURTHER RESULTS

THE SECOND ROUND

The chess congress, at which the matches for the Dominion championship are being played, completed the second round of games on Saturday. Following aro brief descrptions of tlie play:— Severno v. 1\ H. Smith.—Four JCnights game. The play was on book lines, and proceeded very evenly up to tho twentieth move. At this stage Smith, ivho is at some disadvantage in not having competed at the annual congress for over twenty years, tried to dislodgo a well-posted queen. Tho movo was premature, 'as it enabled Severno to gain a pawn with a check and threaten mate ill two. As this could only bo averted by giving up the greater oxchange, viz., queen tor knight, Smith resigned at move 21. Wild v. Anderson.— Petrolf defence. Wild had the preferable position in the early stages. At move 2S he missed a chance of gaining a pawn. At inovo Jj.l Anderson, who had meanwhile equalised the position, attacked two pawns simultaneously, wning one of them. Ho subsequently picked up two more pawns, and obtained Wild's resignation at move 46. Dodds v. Ewen— Centre Counter opening. The latter slightly weakened hi position on the king's wing by premature advance of pawns in the utrly stage. The capturu of a centre pawn entailed furthor disadvantage, as it enabled Dodds to push successfully a very fierce attack. At move 16 Dodds offered a bishop which could not safely be taken—a very line combination which was sound in all variations. In the resulting attack Dodds (the Nelson champion) was seen at. his best. To gain relief the Auckland champion jettisoned the exchange (queen for rook), but this did not afford relief, and he resigned at move 21. Foully v. Kelling.—Queen's Gambit declined.' This bout was between the two representatives of the Public Service. Fouliy inverted two moves as the gamo was leaving tho opening stage, and this cost him a valuable pawn. Kelling was üblo to build on this initial advantage, and subsequently won the exchange in addition to being three passed pawns to the good. At move 28 the result was only a matter of time, and Fouby resigned without further play. Faulknor v. Lindsay.—Ruy Lopez. Lindsay played the Classical defence. In tho middle game Faulknor built up a useful attack, massing five pieces on the pawn* in front of his opponent's king. Ho.was able to make four consecutive exchanges so as ultimately to gain queen for knight, Lindsay resigning forthwith at move <JS.

Connell v. Hicks.—Tke latter utilised the Centre-counter defence, and a very even game resulted.. Connell gained a pawn at move 19, but later on Hicks recovered it, and secured the somewhat preferable game. Ilieks gained a pawn at move 20. and another at move 30. Ho had now two passed pawns well advanced, and his two rooks were also posted in a very threatening position. Being unable to stave off all the impending troubles, Connell resigned at move 3a. Mason v. Barnes.—Buy Lopez. Barnes utilised the Morph.v defence. As these two players share the New Zealand record (each having won the championship on five occasions) this tout naturally attracted more than ordinary attention. Mason gave'lip a pawn at move M in order to keep Barnes's knight from occupying a dangerbus position. Barnes did not make the most of the middle game, and allowed Mason to regain the pawn and build up an attack which was irresistible, Barnes resigning at move 30. The congress will continue its -sittings (which are being held in the Education Board's rooms) this morning.