CHESS TOURNAMENT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 16749, 2 January 1915, Page 11

CHESS TOURNAMENT.

NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIP

YESTERDAY’S PLAY. Yesterday was a quiet day at the Now Zealand Chess Congress. Tho sixth round was commenced at the morning session, and was continued during the evening. The players were granted a lmlf-holiday for the afternoon, and the spell was highly appreciated. The only game to be finished during the morning session was that between Mr S. W. Moore and the Rev C. E. Fox. During the evening Mr Dodds, who had played weakly in the early game, lost • the exchange and resigned on move 48. It should be mentioned, in justice to Mr Dodds, that he lias been troubled with insomnia, which is affecting his play. Mr Hicks defeated Mr Seveme decisively, but Mr Buckett, the other Canterbury Club made a fine showing against Mr Kelling, and ■at the close.of Hie evening be was a pawn to the good, with the majority of the major pieces off the board. _ This advantage may not bo maintained, however, but it will require good and careful play on Mr Kelling’s part to score a win. The game looks like ending in a draw. Mr Mara, in his game against Mi- Pleasants, gave up two pawns fyr a piece and secured a promising attack. The game became of a lively description, and towards the closing hour Mr Mara had two passed pawns established near the queening rank. Following with a powerful attack, _Mr Mara by really fine play forced a win just bn the call’of time. Mr Barnea won from the Rev B. G. Fox by default. To-day the seventh round will be oommenced n-t 9.30 o’clock.

Tho following are details of yesterday’s play:— THE SIXTH ROUND.

The draw for the round was as follows:—R. J. Barnes v. B. G. Pox, S.' IV, Moore v. O. E.'Fox, W. C. Hill v. G. F. Dodds/ W. H. Buckett v. F. K. Kelling, E. H. Severne v. E. Hicks, O. 0. Pleasants v. T. Mara, Grierson a bye. ■ Moore v. 0. E. Fox.—Ruy Lopea opening. Play proceeded on the usual liues. White secured an attack in the centre. His nineteenth move was weak, and Mr Pox might have won the exchange. He missed his chance, and the game was drawn on the thirtieth. move. . . Hill v. Dodds.—Mr Hill opened with the Ruy Lopez, and was met with the Motphy defence, P—Q R 3. Through an.oversight, Mr Dodds lost two pawns and the exchange early in the game, and was left with a very uphill fight. Later Mr Hill gained the exchange of rook for bishop, and won on the forty-eighth move. Buckett v. Kelling.—Caro Kauri Defence. This game at the adjournment was very even and open. At the evening session Mr Buckett gained a pawn, hut his closing moves were . not too strong, and he may not retain the advantage. Mr Kelling was attacking when the evening’s play ceased. Severne v. Hicks.—Centre Counter Gambit. Mr Hicks made a strong attack on Severne’s castled king, forcing White to sacrifice a pawn. Pieces were rapidly exchanged,- and Mr Severne was left with a difficult end game. Mr Hicks advanced passed pawns on his king’s wing, and, though he lost a piece owing to an oversight, his pawn position was so strong that he won. Pleasants v. Mara.—Ruy Lopez opening. Mr Mara gave up a. piece for two pawns and attack, and,, playing exceedingly fine chess, he won Mr Pleasauts’s queen on the 'call of time and scored the game. THE SCORE SHEET. At the conclusion of tlio sixth round the position of the players was as follows:

’ A" draw counts half a point to each competitor concerned. Tho Rev B. G. Fox, after playing two games, retired from tho tournament, owing to ill-health. All his games will count aa wins by default to his opponents. Mr Barnes and Mr Buckett have, each two uncompleted games, while Mr Grierson has one.

Games. Wing. Losses. Dts. Tt. Mr Hick* 5 4 1 0 4 Mr MooVe 6 3 1 2 4 Mr Kelling . 4 3 0 1 3* Mr Barnes 4 3 0 1 32r Mr Severn# . 0 2 2 o 3 Bev C. E. Pox « . 2 2 2 8 Mr Mara 6 3 3 n 3 Mr Grierson . 4 2 1 1 nl Mr Bucket! . 3 2 1 0 2 Mr Hill . o 2 3 0 2 Mr Dodds 5 1 3 1 li Mr Pleasants e ] 5 0 1;. Her B.G.Fox « 0 6 0 0