CHESS NOTES

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 713, 13 December 1933, Page 6

CHESS NOTES

Ruy

Lepez)

club jottings , PROBLEM COMPETITION TO BE HELD NEXT FRIDAY NEWS OF INTEREST (Specially written for the "Morning

Post" by

The Rotorua Chess Club meets every Friday eyening at 7.30 p.m., at the club room, Citizens' Club, Tutanekai Street. Visitors are cordially invited. Part of the time next Friday evening will be given to a solution solving competition. Six easy problems will be given for solution by members, their friends, and any visitors who care to take part. There will be post entries and no entrance fee. The six problems to be given are very simple, and players who have had some experience in problem solving or end-game study should have no difficulty in solving the majority in a minute or so. These problems (or end-game studies) are intended to help the novice by giving him ideas with regard to mating positions. He should remember that whenever the king is attacked by a queen from the adjoining square, the only flight squares are those two, which are a knight's move from the queen, and if he cannot move to one of these, because they are either covered by one of his opponent's pieces, or occupied by his own, he will be mated. Handicap Tourney Members are requested to finalise the second round of the handicap before the hoRdays. Owing to the large number of postponements it does not appear possible to play a third round until January. British Championship Sultan Khan won the recent British championship with 9| points. out of a possible 12 ; the runner-up being T. H. Taylor. S'ultan Khan is the "court" chess player of Colonel Sir Nawah Malek Mohammed Umar Hayat Khan, a member of fthe council of India, and an A.D.C. to the King. Sir Umar is himself a great player, and encourages chess playing among his entire household. World's Championship Dr. Alekhine has accepted a challenge for a return match with E. D. Bujoljuboff, to be played so'metime in 1934. Dr. Alekhine recently created a new record for blindfold play by playing 32 games simultaneously without sight of board or men. He i won 19, drew 9, and lost 4; a great feait. N.Z. Championship Entries The following fifteen entries have been received and passed by the Elimination Board for the tourney to be held in Dunedin, commencing on Boxing Day, to decide the chess championship of New Zealand: Otago C.C., J. B. Dunlop, D. Pihl, and R. Watt; Southland, C.C., E. A. Le Petit; Nelson C.C., E. H. Severne; Canterbury C.C., Rev. N. Friberg and A. O. Gray; Auckland C.C., D. I. Jones; Wanganui C.C., R. O. Scott; Wellington C.C., A. W. Gyles and R. G. Didsbury; Wellington Working Men's Club, E. E. Hicks and F. K. Kelling; Wellington South C.C., G. P. Anderson; Napier C.C., E. L. Smith. The only notable omission is J. A. Erskine, a former champion, who is unable to compete. It would have been well for the local club to be represented, but the expense was, I understand, too heavy. Purdy's Questions The following is a list of Purdy's questions, full explanations and details regarding which can be found in the "Australasian Chess Review" copies in the club library: — (1) Have I an obvious move? If so, have I a better more or can I with advantage make any other move first; (2) is my choice of moves so limited that I may proceed without using the system? (3) what are his threats? (4) how has that last move changed the position? (5) who has the advantage? (6) make a reconnaissance, considering (a) material, (b) weaknesses and strengths, and (c) king positions; (7) now answers; (5) ; 8 have I a sound and correct combination? (look for the following motifs, (a) geometrical, (b) functional, and (c) combinative; (9) what aro all the possible moves I have to consider? (10) now make your move! This week's problem: Forwarded to me by Mr. W. B. Butler, a local enthusiast. — Position: 4k3, 4KtlKl, 4Kt3, 8, 1B1P4, 8, 5P2, 8. Check position: — White, K on KKt7, Kt's on K7 and K6, B on QKt4, P's on Q4 and KB2. Black, K on Kl. In this position the problem is a five-mover (white to mate in five moves) . The first three moves are P — B4, K — Q2 ; 2P — B5, K — Kl; 3P — B6, K — Q2. With this lead the reader is asked to mate black in two moves. Answer to last week's problem: — 1R — Kt7 (ch.), II — Bl; 2R — Kt5, P — R8 (queen); 3R — B5 (ch.), Q x R (stalemate).