CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 863, 6 January 1930, Page 11

CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPS

MANY DRAWN GAMES POSITION OF PLAYERS Press Association WANGANUI, Today. The chess championships were ©ontinued today. Results: Final Round. — Scott v. Anderson. Anderson adopted the French defence, and both players pinned the knighia and changed off to open files. Scott castled in front of Anderson’s open file. Exchanges prevented any telling combinations, and after the exchange of queens. Anderson had the better of the rook and pawn ending, and Scott resigned. Rutherfurd v. Jeffreys.—Jeffreys played the queen's fianchetto defence to Rutherfurd’s opening, and the latter secured the better development. Rutherfurd held the attack throughout the game. After the exchange of minor pieces. Rutherfurd still dominated the position, though Jeffreys had improved his defence. No advantage being gained after long and careful play, a draw was agreed to. Purdy v. Pleasants.—This queens bishops’ gambit provided one of the most lively openings of the tournament, involving serious threats and rapid exchanges of pieces, including queens. Pleasants was then left with the weaker pawn position, and Purdy was able to win two pawns. Pleasants then resigned.

Hicks v. Beyer.—Hicks adopted the Retis opening and a very even game resulted by exchanging the bishop for a knight. Beyer opened the bishop's file, and for some moves dominated the position. A curious position arose in -which each player in turn was threatened -with a loss, and a repetition of moves to prevent this caused the game to be drawn.

Fairburn v. Erskine. Fairburn played the queen’s bishop gambit. After an even development, Fairburn set up a combination to dominate the centre. Erskine played carefully and gave Fairburn the opportunity to win the queen for two rooks. A critical position arose for Fairburn’s king, and in capturing a pawn he lost the queen for the rook, and resigned. Kelling v. Gundersen.—ln this Sicilian game, Kelling seemed to get the better position. After castling Gundersen played pawn Up bishop four and opened up his position for the counterattack. He won the centre pawn and could perhaps have forced a win, but he was content to offer Kelling a draw which was accepted. Topp V. Severne.—Topp played the queen pawn opening, and obtained a better development than did Severne, and was able to prevent Severne opening up for attack. He was unable himself to force the position, and Severne accepted the draw that was offered. The position of players is: Gundersen won 10, lost one, drawn two; points 11. Severne B—l—4—lo.8 —I—4—lo. Purdy 10 —3 —o—lo. Anderson B—3—2—9.8 —3— 2 —9. Erskine B—3—2—9.8 —3 —2—9. Kelling s—2—6—B. Pleasants s—B—o—s. Beyer 47 —2—5. Scott 4—7—2—5. Hicks I—s—7 —4ft. Jeffreys 3—7—3—4 ft. Rutherfurd 2—6—s—4ft. Fairburn 1 —8 —4 —3. Topp 1 —9—3—2 ft.