CHESS TOURNAMENT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 16751, 5 January 1915, Page 8

CHESS TOURNAMENT.

CHAMPIONSHIP.»

YESTERDAY'S PLAY.

EsoeKent progress wa« made at the OTiesa Congress yesterdny. and tlie.contest ia How assuming definite form regarding players' prospects. Mr Kelling, by scoring again by default from the Rev B. G. Fox, established a clear lead, arid as lie has somewhat the better position in his game with Mr Hicks, and has decided prospects in an unfinished game of an. earlier round, his chances of securing the championship are very bright. Mr Barnes has now three incompleted games, and. he'tv'i be severely taxed to finish them and carry out his remaining tourney, engagements. If his form holds out he may range alongside Mr Kelling. Mr Hicks is still in winning vein, but as he has suffered two reverses during the tournament he can hardly catch the leaders. Much will depend upon the result of his bout with Mr. Kelling. There were several games during the day ia vrhich chess of superior order was exhibited, and there were, others in which unfortunate slips and oversights militated against success. Today the ninth round will he continued at 9.30 a.m., and at the afternoon session the tenth round will, be commenced. This round' will be completed at the evening session. The following are details of yesterday's play:— BTGHTH ROUND.

The draw was as follows:—S. W. Moore v. R. J. Barnes; B. Hicks v. W. C. Hill. G. B. Fox v. F. K. Kelling, G. F. Dodds v. J. C. Gnerson, T. Mara v. W.'H. Buckett. 0. E. Fox v. E. 11. Severne, O. C Pleasants a hye. . Hill v. Hicks—This was a Guioco Piano game, Hill conducting the attack. Mr Hicks outplayed his opponent and won a piece, which', however, Mr Hill regained, but at thecoifc of loss of exchange of rook for knight, plus a pawn. In the end-game between rook and pawns against bishop and pawns Mr Hicks' s rook proved too powerful and Mr Hill resigned on tho twenty-eighth move, as the position was then hopeless for him. . Mnra, v. Buckett—Mr Buckett (black) played the French defence, and an interesting game followed. At the adjournment material was even, but Mr Mara was attacking. The position became open, and lent itself to possi-. bilities for either player.' ' Fine chess characterised the concluding play. Mr Buckett queened a pawn, and then had queen and rook to Mr Mara's queen, but bv a splendid series of moves. Mr Mara forced - a draw by perpetual check. Moore v. Barnes -Mr Moore adopted the Ruv Leoaz opening, to which Mr •Barnes '< replied" with tho . Berlin Defence. 3 l\t-83. M cne stage Mr Moore had an opportunity to pin his opponent's queen and rook with abishop, but h<> missed the opportunity, though he won a pawn. Later Mr Barnes gained the exchange, of rook for knight and at the adjournment) held that advantage, minus a; pawn. The-position was advanced during_the> afternoon, but was unfinished' at: 5:30. Mr Barnes still held an advantage. . Fox v. Severne—Thi* was a .Queen a Gambit Declined. Play proceeded on orthodox lines, each player angling;for an opening. At the eighteenth, move Mr Severne. by taking a pawn, opened up n promising Hue of attack, and following vrith .•> Mood bishop move pinned, Mr Fox's queen and rook and gained the rook for the bishop. Mr Severne held this advantage at the adjournment, and on resuming ho forced the game in good style and won. Dodds v. Grierson —Air Dodds played the ilnv.Looe* came, and Mr Grierson countered with vbc. P-K B 4 variation for block. A sqiiritefl gome ensued, in which Mr Dodds excelled in attack. At the nineteenth move, by checking with knight. Mr Dodds compelled Mr Grierson to give up his queen for rook and knight, or suffer more seriously.- At "the adjournment. : the position was in favour of Mr Dodds. After lunch Mr Dodds played sound attacking chess, and gradually establishing complete superiority, scored a meritorious win. ' -■■■■•• Kelling v. B. G. Fox—Tliis game wa# won bv Mr Kelling. by default.. NINTH ROUND.

The ninth round was commenced at the evening session. The draw was as follows: O. C. Pleasants r. R. J. Barnes. W. C. Hill v! S. W Moore, E. Hicks v F. K. Ket!vng. J. C. J Gnersdn v B G. Fox. W. H. Kuekett v. G. F. Dodds, C..E. Fox„t. T. Mara. E. H. Severene a bye. _ Pleasants r. Barnes—Mr. Pleasants played the Buy Lope?, opening, and at the'adjournment material was level, but Mr Barnes had his pieces well massed for attack. ' , • • Hicks v. Kelhng.—Mr kelling adopted the Carokaun. defence, namely, P Q B 3 in reply to White's opening move of P— K 4. This is a defence that Mr -Kelling is partial to. It confines Black's game somewhat, but'is sound and safe, and offers'possibilities for the second player if the attacking party is not too conversant with it. Mr Kelling won a pawn at the nineteenth move, and has forced White to open his king's ' position. Black has also a pawn at Q—- R ', which be seems quite able to maintain. The position is altogether interesting. Hill v. Moore---Mr HiH played the Riiy Lope?, game, and by a series of well-judged moves, forced the exchange of queens and then won a pawn. The game is unfinished'. , Buckett v. Dodds—This also is a Ruy Lopei game. The position lias become open, and though material is level capital fighting prospects are in evidence. An interesting game is assured on the resumption of hostilities. C.' E. Fox v. Mara—Mr Fox played the Queen's Pawn opening, and a splendid contest followed. Mr Fox initialed a strong attack on the king's wing, and by checking with his queen could have forced mate. He checked' with his bishop, however, and then followed with a queen move, which threatened mate. Mr Mara missed the right defence, and prematurely. Analysis afterwards showed that the position was not necessarily a loss. Grierson v. B. S. E'ox—Won by Mr Grierson by default. THE SCORE SHEET. ' The following is the score sheet:

A d*aw counts half » point to e*oh competitor concerned. ■ The Rev B. G. Fox, after playing: two games, retired from the tournament, owing to ill-health. All his games will count aa wins by default to his opponents. . Mr Barnes has three incompleted games, not including the ninth round, Mr Buckett two, while Messrs Kelling, Griersou &ri4 Moore have one each. ■ ,

■ m G g a i i i ■ | £ & c .0 Mr-Selling . fi' 5 0 1 54 Mr Hick* . 7 5 3 0 s Mr Severn* . S 4 2 2 5 Bev C. E. Fox . 9 4 " 3 2 « Sir Grierson . 7 4 2 1 4i Mr Barnes . 5 4 0 1 4i Mr Moore . . 6 3 1 ■ o 4 Mr Mara . . 9 3 3 1 31 Mr Hill . . 6 3 4 0 3 Mr Buokett . 5 2 3 1 2i Mr Dodds . 7 2 4 1 ?1 Mr Pleasant* . . 7 I 6 0 i Bev B. G. Fox . 9 0 9 0 0