CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 108, 25 April 1908, Page 2

CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP.

Per Press Association.

Wellington, Last Night. The Chess Congress was continued to-day and this evening. Results:— Sixth Round.—James a bye. Barnes v. Stewart—White offered the Danish gambit, and th e liveliest game of tiv: tourney followed. When mate could not be staved oil Stewart resigned on the 37th move. Kuiunier v. Connell—Black played the French defence, and left the book on the fourth move. He lost a pawn immediately, but as the game progressed lie got the better development However, he failed to push the advantage, and placed the knight so that White could push his Queen's kuiglit pawn to it and win it for a pawn. The inevitable reslilt mis Council's resignation. Da vies v. Freeman—The King* gambit opening was met by the Cunningham defence. White sacriliml a piece mi the ninth move lor a*~pa\m, and offered another piece on the eluventh with a crashing attack, Black (Freeman) resigning on the sixteenth move after half tin hour's play. The game lias been entered far the brilliancy prize. 'Rutherford v. Masoli.—The Ruy Lopez opening was followed by bottom play to the thirteenth' move, when Ruthvrford initiated a strong attack, Which gave him considerably the better position. He appeared to have the game well in hand, Out stone weak moves allowed his opponent's rook a place amongst his pawns, and Mason eventually forced an unexpected win on the 43rd ntt>v«. Kelling v. Fox.—The Guioco Piano opening played somewhat indifferently allowed Fox to get a kuiglit for two pawns, but Kelling soon recovered by a series of exchanges and mated Black on the 42nd move.

Seventh Round. Kunumer a bye. Stewart v. James—The Euy Lopez opening was soon worked up into- an attack which required a very careful defence. In this 'effort Black overlooked the fact that Queen could be pinned by bishop. On the 22nd move, when, he realised the position, James at owe resigned. Eo\ v. Rutherford—A very long even game followed the Giiieomo Piano opening, but the end developed into a lively contest. Rutherford on the 35bh move got his bishop into a winning position. Fox lost a knight, and thought, he could save Ms Queen by a bit of strategy. He *uceeeded in saving the Queen, but at too great a. sacrifice, hi B position being so weakened that he resigned on the 47th move. Cornell v. lvellinlg.—Centre eomiter opening, White developing an early attack, wliich prevented Black castling on the King's side. White thus had a. slight advantage up to t'he 22nd move, when by a miscalculation Council permitted a pawn to go. thinking he had a stronger attack on the King situated on the Q.li. square, but. he overlooked a veiled move of Kellingls which enabled the Wellington man to carry a strong athlete, skilfully mnting on the 45th move. Tlrig game was entered for the brilliancy prize. Mason v. Davies--Queen's gambit declined. The opening was continued on unusual lines. Black voluntarily gave up a piece, at an early stage, regaining it later with a slight advantage. Then the Queens and four minor pieces were exchanged. Masondid not nitikf the best moves in an intricate position, and Dn-vies, playing an exceedingly interesting game, got a fine open position. It was a hard struggle,, and while Mason endeavored to develop hi- eittinped position, Dnvics won tw<* pawns, securing the game on the -l;Sid move.

The following table shows the position occupied by the various competitors:—

Won. Lost. Kelling .. .. c 1 Davies .. .. G 1 Mason .. .. 5 1 .lames .. 4 2 • Stewart. .. .. 3'/ 2 2'/. Ktrmmer .. .. 2''/» 3'/;. Barnes .. .. 2'/. 4% Freeman, .. .. 2 (I Itutlrcrford .. 2 5 ftonne'U .. .. I'/,, 4'/ 3 Fox .. .. 0 0