THE INTERNATIONAL MATCH.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 348, 6 March 1889, Page 4

THE INTERNATIONAL MATCH.

The following particulars of games played in the match between Smith and Barker, the English and American champions, will be read with interest : — Ninth Game — "Edinburgh '—Smith's move. To Smioh'smove 9-13 Barker replied with 22-18 ; then Smith started on a new track, discarding the customary 10-15 and playing 6-9 instead, which at once placed him on a strong line of play. During the first ninety minutes Barker had frequently to be called to time, and towards the close of tho game his position got rather cramped, but no decided advantage was obtained, and after threo hours' play the game was mutually given up as a draw. After the exchanges the following position was arrived at — Black— l, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13. White— l 4, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32.

Tenth Game — " Edinburgh " — Bai-ker's Move. Tfa was the American's turn to open the •'Edinburgh," and Smith played an unusually strong lino in reply. So .veil did he work his pieces that his backers began to entertain a stiong hope that at last ho was about to redeem his position in the match. Barker, however, remained cool and imperturbable, and in due time it turned out that he had a coup in reserve, which he used most effectively. He first gave away a man, then forced a two for two cut, and finally drew the game amid the applause of the excited spectators. Atter two hours' play the position was — Black— 2, 3, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 20. White— lB, 19, 21, 22, 23; 26, 28, 31, 32. Barker played 3-7. The game afterwaids became very critical, and when it reached the following position it was thought Smith would score his first win — Black— 3, 10, 12, 13, 14. 16, 20. White— l 9, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 31. Barker had only one move lo draw, and he did so by playing 13 17 and 2 7, securing a neat draw.

Smith's h iends congratulated him in enthusiastic terms on the turning of the tide in his favour. It i 3 remarkable that Barker drew the&ame game 16 times against Martins, which has now been won by Smith. Martins overlooked the 2-6 at nineteenth move of trunk, and always played 1-6. Barker was completely caught in a trap. The score : Barker, 2; Smith, 1; drawn, 8. The mail by the Arcadia, which arrived in Melbourne on the 6th inst. , supplies details of 12 additional games. The score after the 23rd game i 3 Barker, 4 ; Smith, 1 ; drawn, 18. As only nine games then remained to be played, it is in the highest) degree improbable that the result of the match can have been other than a win for the American champion.

Black— l, 5, 6, 7, 8, JO, 11, US, 15. White— l 3, 19, 21, 23, 24, 27, 28, 31, 32. Smith to play. 6- 9 17-22 25-22 17-21 8-11 14- 7 22-26 13- 6 25-18 14- 9 6-2 23-19 6 9 14-18 L 5-18 22 25 11-15 21-25 22-17 25 22 7-10 23 14 24-20 IS-10 2- 6 27 24 9 14 18-23 LO-17 25-30 7-14 25-30 11-15 7-11 12-16 21-14 32-27 27 23 31-27 10- 6 24-19 1-17 30 25 14-17 30-25 17-14 3- 7 Smith 27-23 18-14 9- 6 6-10 19-10 28 24 won.

Eleventh Game — " Fife " — Smith's move. Barker at sixth move played 26 23 ; in reply to 9-13 at eighth move, ho went 30-26. The game soon became very ciitical for Barker, when the following position was reached : —

2-16 16-23 .6-19 23-16 1-20 14-19 811 4- 8 29-25 1- 6 27-23 8-12 25-22 6- 9 12-16 19-12 11-15 18-11 9-27 32-23 9-16 2- 7 26 22 7-10 51-27 10-14 2S-24 5- 9 14-18 22-15 9-14 15-11 11-18 23-14 16-32 32 27 11- 7 27-23 7- 2 23-18 10- 6 18-14 13-: l9.9.A9. m.9h 94-10 14-1 D f.- nili*n.w

At this stage Smith played 12-16, a move introduced by YV. Uai diner in playing against Strickland in 1886. The game proceeded as follows : —