THE CHESS HANDICAP TOURNAMENT.

Kumara Times, Issue 1055, 17 February 1880, Page 2

THE CHESS HANDICAP TOURNAMENT.

Messrs Ball and Petrie flayed their final game each with the other in the chess handicap tohrhamerit last evening. Both players are ini the second class; arid as they consequently played on even terms, the result of this' ririe game was looked forward to with much interest; more particularly so, however; for the reason that on it depended Mr.; Petrie’s only charice of winning first prize. Mr Petrie won the toss, arid resolved on opening with the Giuoco Piano. Early in the gafrfe Mr Ball manifested signs, of weakriess, losing time at his third .arid fourtli by which the first, player soon gained an overpowering attach. It was not, however, so successful as at first it promised, but the immediate result was tlie loss of a knight for a pawn., Neither player having castled, a hazardous game followed; but the first loss' proved fatal, and after a two hours’ struggle from first to last Mr Ball resigned: The scores of the winner and probable winners of prizes now stand ; Won. Lost. No: CLASS n. to play: Petrie ... 24 4 0 Ball 22i 0 Scott ... 20| it 3 As Mr Petrie’s score cannot now be beaten, he, having lost only four games, is entitled to first prize. The Rev. E. A. Scott and Mr Ball seem now the only competitors who can come in for second and third prizes, or honors, in this keenly-contested tourney. The former gentleman has to win two out of three games he has to play with tough opponents—viz., with Messrs Holst, Everett, and Moss—to beat Mr Ball’s score. Should he win all three, he will be entitled to second place and prize ; but should he win only two of the three, he will but tie Mr Ball, with whom he would then have to play orf for second prizes ~ r ■