CHESS NOTES

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 570, 29 June 1933, Page 3

CHESS NOTES

"Ruy

Lopez.")

CONTEST BY WIRE MATCH WITH GISBORNE PlROVES INTERESTING TUSSLE. DETAILS OF PLAY.

(Specially Written for the "Morning

Post" hy

The match against Gisborne was a most interesting tussle, the result being in douht right up to the last minute of play. Although Rotorua were defeated by a point fosr the cup, they- won the cluh match', which is isome consolation. The st'andard of play was high, hut the Gisborne s:ide was slightly steaidier, as may he s,een on playing over the various games, hrief details of which are as follows, Rotorua players heing mentioned first: Board 1. — Andrews v. Schlichtinig (Queen's Gamhit Declined). Andrews lost .a pawn in the middle game. Wh'en time was called Gisborne very sportangly agreed to a draw. It'would have been difficult, however, for white to have forced a win. Board 2. — Fraer v. Seddon. (Queen's Gamhit Declined). Both players played very correct chess for a draw. Board 3. — Burton v. Thompson (Queen's Pawn Game). Burton won a pawn and the exchange early in the game, and later forced his opponent to resign. Burton played a faultless game. Board 4. — Kurney v. Ritchie. (Petroff Defence). Drawn. Kurney had ■a very hot attack, hut Ritchie defended stoutly and the local player was unable to hreak through the defence. "Board 5.— Saxhy v. Weatherley (Giuoco -Piano). Weatherley gained a passed pawn in the middle game and Saxhy was unable to1 stave off defeat. Board 6. — Paterson v. F. T. Venning (Garo-Kann D.efence). Paterson ■had the advantage all through, hut in a series of exchanges made a mistake leading to resignation. Board 7. — Roland v. Gleave (Queen's Pawn Game). Roland played fine chess hut made a fatal mistake on the last move of the evening, thereby losing the game. Bord 8. — Tibbitts v. T. M. Venning (Queen's Pawn Game). Rotorua was lucky at this board, Tibbitts having a let-off early in the game. From then on he played correot chess, leading to a mate. Board 9. — Booth v. Blackburn (Philidor's Defence). Booth lost a piece early and was unable to stave off defeat. Board 10.—' Vinall v. Fischbach (Queen's Pawn Game). Vinall won his opponent's Queen early in the game, and making no mistakes, forced a win. Board 11.— Howe v. Meredith (King's Bishop Gambit). This game was even up to the middle game, but Howe was superiotf in the end game and forced a win. Board 12. — Watson v. McMahon (Giuoco Piano). Gisborne gained the superior position and Watson was unable tO' ward off defeat. Board 13. — Clark v. Hignett (Queen's Gambit Declined). Clark wori a piece early in the game, and, pressing home his advantage, won. Board 14. — Lenih'an v. Rohinson (Two Knight's Defence). Both players were very correct and the 'game ended in a draw. Board 15.— Heley v. Lawn (Philidor's Defence). Heley won his opponent's Queen, and w.ith nice play went on to victory. Playing at a Distance. There is a great fascinatioif in playing a game with an opponent niany miles away. Your opponent seems to be missing, and is replaced hy little matter-of-fact pi.eces of paper, which are handed to you by the scrutineers. You are busy poring over your game, while one of the scrutineers appears out of th'e surrounding bustle and f og, of smoke like one of P. G. Wodehouse's hutlers, watches you make the move as written, initials' it, and then fades away again, and so the game goes on. There is no douht that the psychological influence is different from the usual game over the board. Advantage of Confidence. Regardinjg the psyehological influence in a game over the board, I cannot do hetter than quote the words. of Sir John Simon, the famous advocate: "There are people who beat you before the game hegins hy the confidenf way in whieh they arrange the pieces, hy the authority with which they make a move, almost by the way they look out of a window or drum their fingers while the are waiting for you to play." In other words, don't be bluffed into inferiority complex. Sir John Simon also mentions thait Mr. Bonar Law describes chess as "a cold bath for the mind." ("Comments and Criticisms," hy Sir John Simon.) Comments on Gamies. The same restraint should he exercised hy lonloolcers at all cluh and friendly games as was done durinig: the recent match. Nothing is more annoying to a player than for an onlooker to suggest or critieise moveiS, besides which it is ahisolutely against the rules. It is apparent that the only way to improve the standard of play is to tighten up the rules of play, and this is the firist that should receive the 'aJttention of the match committee. Senior Championship. Players are reminded that the senioi championship th'ird round will be played next Friday evening, the draw hein;g as follows: — ■Paterson v. Clark, Booth v. Watson, Jackson v. Tibbitts, Andr.ews v. Burton, Heywood v. Fraer, Howe v. Saxby, Kurney v. Vinall 'and Roland v. Edwards. Tattersall, a bye. Junior Championship. Dixon y. Musgrave, Shaw v. Rowley, Mulligan v. Evans, Leiiihan v. Blencowe, Martm v. Bould, E. G. Bailey v. H. Heley and Jenkins v. W. 'Heley. The first player mentioned has the mov.e. Last, the Drinks. There was only one note of gloom

cast over the proceedings at th'e recent match with Gisborne. The last message from the Gisborne captain to the local captain was "The drinks are on you." Mr. Burton munmured "The last hour has been had enough, hut this is tragic."