CHESS

Evening Star, Issue 22442, 12 September 1936, Page 21

CHESS

[Conducted by D.H.U.] The Otago Club meets lor play at the rooms, Allbell Buildings Stuart street, every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday evening at 7.30 o’clock. Visitors are rordi ily invited to attend, and by ringing up 23-6t6 arrangements could be made for a game any afternoon and evening as the rooms are open to both club members and visitors at any time. TO CORRESPONDENTS. [We invite communications .on ait matters concerning chess Solutions of problems, games, and analyses will receive our attention, and if of sufficient merit will bt inserted. All communications to be addressed 14 Chess Editor,” * Evening Star.'] P.K.K. (Wellington).—Thanks for information re Wellington happenings. A.W.P. (Kelburn). —Cuttings to hand. A.O.G. (Christchurch). —Have forwarded paper as requested. ■ii CORRECT SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS. 2,445: J.E.D. (Dunedin). 2,446: J.E.D. (Dunedin). 2.447: R.M‘D. (Roslyn), J.E.D. (Dunedin), J.J.M. (Musselburgh), T.J.W. (St. Hilda), A.E. (Roslyn), E.A.L. (Invercargill), J.A.C. (Mornington), King (Timaru), W.A.M. (Dunedin), A.J.M'D. (Mornington). 2,448: A.E. (Roslyn), E.A.L. (Invercargill), J.E.D. (Dunedin), J.A.C, (Mornington), King (Timaru), W.A.M. (Dunedin). SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS. 2,447: Q-K 2. 2,448: K-Kt 1. PROBLEM 2,449. (By J. W. Cornforth, Sydney.) Black, 7 pieces.

White, 9 pieces. White to move and mate in two. Bl2ps|3plC2p I 3 R P 3 | 4 k 31 3 r Kt 1 R Kt | 3 B b 1 P 1 ) 5 B 1 kt. PROBLEM 2,450. (By J. W. Abbott.) Black, 7 pieces.

White, 6 pieces. White to mate in three moves. 3bKtlbkt|lp2p2p|4k3l IKt6|SF2|R2QIK2|BJB. CARO-KANN DEFENCE. Game played in the Trebitsch memorial tournament at Vienna. White, H. Kmoch; Black, S. Rubinstein. 1 P-K 4 P-Q B 3 2 P-Q B 4 P-Q 4 3BPs P P x P 4 P x F. Q s P ...Less dangerous is 4... K- K B 3; but in any case White gets an open game in this form of the opening. 5 Kt-Q B 3 Q-Q 1 6 P-Q 4 K Kt-B 3 7 B-Q B 4 The game now resembles a Queen’s Gambit Accepted, ...White’s threat of 8 Q-Kt 3 prevents Black from getting out the Q B before making the text move. 8 Kl- B 3 B-K 2 9 Castles Castles 10 Q-K 2 Kt-B 3 11 K R-Q 1 Kt-Q Kt 5 12 B-K Kt 5 R-K 1 13 Q R-B 1 Q Kt-Q 4 ...Black is losing time badly in the development of his queen’s side; 13...8-Q 2, with ...R-Q B 1 to follow is called for; the text move can be made later. 14 Kt-K 5 Kt x Kt ...Probably expecting 15 R x Kt; but White prefers the pawn capture, as increasing his control of the centre. 15 Px Kt Kt-Q 4 16 B-Q 2 B-Q 3 . 17 Q-R 5 Q-B 2 18 B-Q 3 P-K Kt 3 19 Q-R 4 Offering a pawn; but its capture would be very dangerous, because after 19...8 x Kt; 20 P x B. Q x K P; 21 P-Q B 4. White would get his Q B established on the long centre diagonal; the weakness of Black’s capture at 14 is now becoming apparent. 20 P-Q B 4 Kt-Kt 5 ...Leaving his king’s side totally undefended: Either 20... Kt-K 2. or ...B-K 2 would be better, although neither is quite comfortable. Now the storm breaks upon him in force! 21 B x Kt B x B 22 Kt x B P K x Kt ...The position could only be defended by 22... R-K 1, yielding the pawn captured. 23 Q x P ch K-B 3 ...Not 23... K-B 1; 24 B x P! and there is no answer 24 Q x P ch K-K 2 25 Q-Kt 5 oh K-B 1 ...If 25... K-Q 3; 26 Q-K 5 ch, K-B 3; 27 O-Q Kt 5 cb. etc. 26 Q-B 6 ch K-Kt 1 27 B-R 7 ch! K x B 28 R-Q 3 P-K 4 29 R-K Kt 3....';.8-Kt 5 30 Rx B Resigns. The winner of this game was awarded the first brilliancy prize, Position after 20... Kt-Kt 5. —' British Chess Magazine.’ QUEER ENDING. White: K on K R 7; B on Q Kt 2; P’s on Q,R 2. Q Kt 3, K 4. K B 3, K Kt 4, K R 4. Black: K oq K B 2; Kt on Q 6; P’s on Q R 2, Q Kt 3, K 3, K Kt 3. White (Pleci in the South American championship) wips a pretty ending against Fenoglio. White, Pico; Black, Fenoglio. 1 P-Kt 5! P-K 4 (a) 2 B-B 1! K-B 4 (b) 3 P-R 5 Kt-K 3 4Px P ch K-B 1 5 P-Kt 7ch Resigns (e) (a) If Kt x B; 2 P-R 5, and a P goes through to glory. (b) Black devises a sort of defence. (c> Kt x P: G B-R 3 ch. K-B 2; 7 P-Kt 6 ch, K-B 3; 8 B-K 7 ch, K z B (the third

offer cannot be rejected) ;9Ks Kt. The game won a special prize, as t.io best played in the championship.—‘ Observer. •CHESS FOR THE FUN OP IT.’ An interesting and instructive chess manual bearing tho above title has been recently added to tho Carnegie Library and is well worth studying both_ by young players and students. Mr Brian Harley, tho author, is the chess editor of the ‘ Observer ’ and well known as one of the leading problemists of the present generation. In what ho describes as his ‘ Initial Pleadings’ he says: “Some misguided persons suffer from the delusion that chess is a solemn game, far too difficult for anyone but actuaries, astronomers, and the like, who pore over the in their £ ; 'rybearded dotage, while spiders spin webs upon the pieces in between them. Chess can certainly become a harmful obsession it it is taken too seriously, but so can any other game. ... I write for those wno are wise enough to take their chess in a light-hearted spirit, and the reader of the book should not blame it for a single The author starts from the beginning with the pieces, the board, and the notation, and gradually leads on to teach in an elementary and pleasing manner the technique of the game, with following articles on ‘ The Scope of the Pieces, ’ Attack and Defence,’ ‘ Checkmate and Stalemate,’ ‘Playing the Game,’ ‘Endings, Etc.,’ a miscellany written in a humorous vein, and concluding with ‘ The Surprise Move,’ illustrated from actual games played by great masters. The following hints about pieces contained in this volume will bo found of value to many players, especially to novices and young students: — The King.—He should generally be castled, and early, on the K side. Your castling on the Q side often means that you intend a direct attack on tho opponent’s K. (assuming that he has castled on the K side), and that you hope it will succeed before your opponent can smash up your Q side. Other objects of castling are as followsTo get tho K into a safe position; to bring the R’s into cooperation with each other; to occupy open files with the R’s, where they have great scope; and, generally, as a preparation to a clear plan of action. In very few openings should the K leave the security of the first rank. As soon os the ending (especially a P ending) comes in sight the K becomes a fighting piece. He is in no danger of mate at that stage, and can use his considerable powers to harass the enemy. , The Queen.—ln most openings she goes no further than the second rank, unless a specific object is to be gained. The middle-games is her playground. The Knight.—The Knights are the most tricky of the pieces, their moves being the most difficult to visualise. Watch them! One small gadget is worth picking up; a Kt takes three moves to attack a square on his diagonal, between. which and himself lies a single square. (I can’t put it any shorter, and it is not worth a diagram.) Tho Pawn. —The export finds these pieces tho most difficult to play. Any P move is a commitment which cannot be cancelled. The humble Tommy of chess can never return to base, for leave; but he may get a lot of fun in going over the top with his comrades, in big attacks against a K. More usually he will try to form a strong centre, or protect Ins superior officers. In many endings he can achieve promotion and put up a crown on his shoulder. One of his chief uses throughout the game is to restrict the enemy—to act as sentry-go. The Rook.—The Rooks should be given air on the first rank, as soon as it is convenient. These pieces are rather supporters behind the other pieces, m the middle-game, than attackers* t In endgames they are specially obnoxious to the opposing P’s. Two R’s, doubled on their seventh rank, are proverbially unkind to a K. . The Bishop.—Bishops are a shade stronger (a fraction of a P) than Knights. Beginners, however, may prefer the caracoles of the horses; they often play P-R 3 to prevent B-Kt 5 attacking a Kt. Such a move is said to be the sign manual of a novice, but I advise him to play according to his fancies. He will grow out of them, but should not be hurried m the process. , . , This book is published at quite a moderate price. AN ACCIDENTAL ERROR. A regrettable but unavoidable mistake was made in last week’s column in reporting the death of Mr C. C. Cooke, hou. secretary, Oamaru' Chess Club, and wc arc pleased to report that be is in excellent health, and was in Dunedin last week. Tho information of Mr Cooke’s supposed death was obtained from an ex-member of the Oamaru Chess Club, and confirmed by a member of the Otago Chess Club. An obituary notice in a daily paper recorded the death of Mr “ Charles Craig ” Cook, and as the initials are tho same as those of the O.C.C.’s secretary, there was evidently no doubt about the matter. We tender Mr Cooke our sincere regret at this incident, and hope that neither he nor his relatives suffered therefrom. We hope that- it will be a long time before it will be necessary to record the death of this popular chess player, and wish him many more years of good health and prosperity, NEW ZEALAND CHESS ASSOCIATION. SUGGESTED CHANGE OP HEADQUARTERS. A proposal will be brought forward at the annual meeting of tho Canterbury Chess Club in October that the headquarters of chess in Now Zealand be shifted each year from one of the main centres to another, instead of being permanently fixed in Wellington. It is understood that the Auckland Chess Club will support this change, but so far the Otago Chess Club has not considered the matter. It appears difficult to find any arguments' in favour of the peripatetic shifting of the association’s headquarters, and tho appointment of a fresh secretary an.d treasurer every year. There may be some arguments in favour of tho permanent removal of the association’s headquarters from Wellington to another centre, but it is doubtful if the advantages would outweigh the objections. If the yearly change system was adopted it would he necessary to have fresh officials every year, end as tho delegates must bo appointed from the town in which the association has its headquarters they also would be new to their work, and as soon* as they had grasped the routine, etc., would have to rqfire in . favour of a fresh set living in another town. The question of continually shifting the records, etc., from year to year and the risk of their being lost cannot be overlooked. In view of these facts it seems as if the proposal mooted by the Canterbury Club is not practicable. , Regarding the question of a permanent shift of the -association’s head office from Wellington to another town is a question that can fairly be discussed, but there are also serious objections to be found against this proposal. Wellington is for all practical purposes the geographical and commercial centre of the Dominion, and also has far and away .the majority of chess clubs and players. One has, for example, only to follow tho activities of the W ellington Chess League to discover what a hold tho game has in the Empire city. Admittedly, fault has been found occasionally with some of the actions of tho Wellington executive and the council, and some of the clubs have been far from satisfied with thoir rulings, but, on the other hand, it must be admitted that tho present delegates show a desiro to meet the wishes ot tho various clubs, and this has been exemplified by tho necessary changes that have been made in the rules governing the management of the annual congresses. Tho N.Z.C.A. was originally founded upon tho motion of tho lato Mr R. A. Cleland (Otago Chess Club), at the 1898-9 congress, and thq headquarters were fixed in Christchurch. When Mr Milner, the first hon. secretary, resigned, tho headquarters were shifted to Wellington, and Mr F. K. Ke"* ing, who has been an active member of tho association ever since and also president, was appointed secretary. Mr Cleland, in conjunction with otherc, drew up tho first set of rules, providing for the appointment of delegates, fixing subscriptions, arranging for congress management, etc., and whilst, naturally, it has been found necessary from time to lime to alter and enlarge tho original by-laws, they have worked well. \

,A tribute is due to a number of the leading citizens of the capital who have given up a great deal of time to the work of the association, and in this connection Mr Rolling's name stands out as the most prominent. This article is mainly written, not for the purpose of opposing or ridiculing the proposal, but to give its supporters an opportunity of thoroughly considering and discussing the matter before it comes to a vote at the association council meeting. WELLINGTON NOTES. The annual tourney for the championship of the Wellington play has advanced a step further. Section play has been completed, the best scores being as follow: —Section A: A W. Giles. 6i-l£; G. P. Anderson, 5-1; and J. L. Hardy, 6i-24 Section B: P. K. Kelling, 64-lt; W. White, S£-2£; J. Morton. si-2J; E. H. Severne, 5-3. To complete the tourney it will be necessary for Messrs Gyles, Anderson, and Hardy to play against Messrs Kelling, White, and Morton in the three remaining rounds. The scores carried forward from the section play into the finals are as follow: Anderson Ijs, Gyles Hardy 0, Kelling 2, Morion 1, White 0. P. Vincent, a former member of tho Canterbury Chess Club, has established a Wellington record by climbing from rung 26 to rung 4 in one season. Mr Vincent has now challenged Mr Severne for the top rung of the ladder. —Own correspondent. NOTES. The 1936 South American chess championship has becirwou by Isaias Pleci, with 115 points; Schwartzinann was second with 11 points, and three others tied for third place, gaining 9j points each. News has been received that Mr O. Balk was a passenger to America on the second voyage of tho Queen Mary, and after a short, tour in the United States will ,ho returning home.