CHAMPIONSHIP CHESS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 862, 4 January 1930, Page 8

CHAMPIONSHIP CHESS

ELEVENTH ROUND COMPLETED GUNDERSEN NOW IN LEAD Press Association WANGANUI. Today. The sanies on tire eleventh round of the chess championship tournament resulted as follow: Fairburn v. Topp.—The favourite queen’s bishop’s gambit was played and produced -quite an interesting game. There was more in Fairburn’s combination than Topp saw and he was surprised when Fairburn launched an attack that was one move short of checkmate. There was no chance of recovery so Topp resigned. Pleasants v. Gundersen.—Gundersen adopted a variation of the Sicilian defence. Pleasants lost a pawn in the middle game and was not able to withstand the attack set up by Gundersen. The exchanges leading to the endgame strengthened Gundersen’s position and Pleasants, realising the hopelessness of his game, resigned. Hicks v. Scott.—Hicks played the Reti game, and throughout the opening and middle game vfery even positions were the: rule. In the exchanges leading to the end game Scott played weakly and Hicks was able to win. Severne v. Kelling.—This four knights’ game proved most interesting. Attack and counter-attack alternated until Severne seemed to have forces arranged to win. Kelling had to let a bishop go but had provided for a perpetual check which was not met by Severne. The. game ended in a draw. Erskine v. Jeffreys.—Another queen’s bishop’s gambit played with sparkle and freedom. Jeffreys resigned. Beyer v. Purdy.—ln this queen’s gambit a great end game with rooks and knight versus rooks and bishop took places Beyer held the winning position, but allowed Purdy to shut off the rooks’ attack upon the pawn at rook’s seventh, Purdy being able to queen. Beyer resigned. Anderson v. Rutherford.—The favourite queen’s bishop gambit was adopted and a very even game was the outcome. In the end Rutherford got into a cramped position and Anderson, changing off queens, was able to win by queening a pawn. The positions of the players at the end of the round were:

J- wpp .... 1 a 2 2 TENTH ROUND The results of round 10 were as follow: Topp v. Hicks.—Topp played the .uuy Lopez opening following the exchange variation in this play. Hicks gained the better position and immediately forced the bishop’s file and brought up pieces for the attack. Hot being successful in his attempt, he was satisfied to make a drawn game bv giving perpetual check. Purely v. Fairburn.— Fairburn offered the Petroff defence, but Purdy followed with pawn to queen four and Fairburn gave up his knight for two pawns. Purdy took advantage of Fairburn s undeveloped position and, attacking in the centre, won a bishop and established a rook on the seventh rank. Queen and knight now took up the battle and Fairburn’s king was forced into checkmate on the rook’s square.

Rutherford v. Beyers.—The latter adopted the French defence, the variation providing a bright free development. Beyer was able to capture a centre pawn and with queen, bishop and knight launch a strong attack Rutherford’s defence was weak, and seeing that Beyer threatened to checkmate in three moves he resigned. Kelling v. Anderson.—A lively' opening came out of the Sicilian defence offered by Anderson. Exchanges were numerous, the queens leaving the game at the eighteenth move at the close of the middle game. Kelling held an extra pawn and later won a second pawn In the pawn and rook ending. However he missed the winning variation and g- 11 i^ erson ttianaged to make a drawn

Scott v. Erskine.—ln this Sicilian a ame pieces and positions were vereven till the fifteenth move, when Erskine attacked along the open knight file. In the late middle game exchanges Scott obtained the superior pawn position and by skilful knight play was able to obtain a queening position for liis pawn, whereupon Erskine resigned.

Jeffreys v. Pleasants.— The Zukerfort opening was adopted by Jeffreys. Pleasants being the first player to develop for the attack. Jeffreys carelessly lost a knight for a pawn and Pleasants, with doubled rooks and two knights, held a strong centre and Sld ® Position. Pleasants now missed a brilliant combination, but was able to wear down Jeff reys's forces and compel his resignation at the 59th move.

Gundersen v. Severne.—The latter players favourite four knights game was adopted, giving Gundersen good attacking chances. Severne’s king was forced across in front of his queen and he was able to relieve the strain upon Ins position by taking a .dangerous bishop and by giving a check in the exchanges. Gundersen gained two pawns, and although his pawns were wh£ r °° k ftle hS was ab,e to *° r ce'a*

Gundersen Won. .. n Lost Dri 1 *T n Pts. Severne 1 85 Anderson * *. G 1 4 s Purdy . . .. s 0 8 Erskine .. , . g Kelling .. .. -+ 8' Pleasants i; 0 1 Scott .. .. . . 4 6 Hicks . . 1 4 G Jeffreys .. G 4 Rutherford 4 Beyer 1 Pairburn 7. i Topp .. i 8 «