CHESS CONGRESS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2171, 22 April 1908, Page 1

CHESS CONGRESS.

Press Association. WELLINGTON, April 21. The Chess Congress under the auspices of the New Zealand Chess Association commenced in Wellington yesterday. Thu . proceedings wore formally opened by the Mayor, the Hon. T. Ilislop. Tho following arc particulars of tho play, the umpires being Messrs-A. Littlejohn and A. Fell. The competitor mentioned first in each case played white and took tho first move.

R. J. Barnes (Wellington Working Men’s Club) v. A. W. O. Davies (Wellington Chess Chib). Tho opening was Quoon.’s gambit declinedplay proceeded on hook lines lor about a dozen moves, when Barnes tried to win a knight, but it proved unsound, and instead of resulting ns anticipated, Davies exchanged a rook for a knight; black’s play henceforth was so strong that eventually Barnes resigned on the 34th move, mate in three moves being unavoidable. J. A. Council (Wairoa Chess. Club) v. M. 8. Stewart (Canterbury Chess Club.) Connell played the Buy Lopez opening, and a series of exchanges ensued, which were at first apparently against the Wairoa player, but on development, he was two pawns up by the exchanges; thus the attack centred on tho king’s pawn, which was forced to the seventh square, hut was never promoted. It proved a most interesting and hard-fought game, and resulted in a draw on the 19th move. Connell seemed to have tlio advantage at one period, but upon analysis it proved to bo a draw position. H. James (Wellington Chess Club) v. F. K. Rolling (Wellington Chess Club). The centre counter opening was adopted, and very careful play was the order for the first two hours,, both players taking slight advantage of tho new rule giving a little extra time. At the commencement of tho third hour, James sacrificed a bishop for two pawns from Kelling, who was, however, ablo to extricate himself from tho attack, and emerged with the stronger game, compelling his opponent’s resignation on the 4.Bth move. This was an interesting Civil Service battle, for Mr .James is on tho staff of the Parliamentary Library and Mr. Kelling is in tho Government Insurance Department. B. Mason (Auckland) v. Freeman (Auckland). The opening was the Queen’s gambit declined; the defence was on irregular lines, and a weak eighth move allowed Mason to win a pawn and secure a strong attack. Freeman was 5 pawns to the bad on tho 24tli move, and lie could not retrieve tho position, resigning on the 51st move.

Knmmer (Masterton) v. E. Rutherford (Wanganui). The opening was tho Queen’s gambit declined. Play was oil orthodox lines, but slightly in white’s favor, until by overcautious play Kuuimer allowed Rutherford to obtain a very dangerous attack, resulting in tho loss of an important pawn, bul< this gain of material resulted in loss of position, and Rummer, despite being greatly pressed for time, forced a rather decisive win on the 30th move. One of the most amusing incidents of tho day’s May happened in this game, Rummer; who bad to take full advantage of the time limit, announcing mate in three, when everyone else saw that it was inevitable in one. The Rev. A. Fox. (Tinwald, Canterbury) was awarded a bye.