CHESS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2697, 30 December 1909, Page 6

CHESS.

CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT. U’rn Press Association.l AUCKLAND, Dec. 29. In the second round of the cliess tournament, in the game Samsbuiy v. freeman, Scotch gambit. Freeman let a pawn go to secure a favorable position for his knight. The advantage was doubtful, seeing that in the middle of the game that knight had to remam inert to stop a passed pawn. With this obvious advantage Sainsbury agiced Miles v. Davies (Queen’s gambit declined).—ln the early stages Davies secured an advantago in position tor the loss of a pawn. At the 16th move, however, Miles touched a rook which was subject to an opposing bishop, while his queen was attacked by a black rook. He then moved the queen, but Davies protested, and secured the umpire’s verdict. Ail appeal to tlxo committee did not alter the umpire s ■ruling, and Miles resigned. Grierson, v. Severne (Ruy Lopez). Severn© adopted the weakest defence, til at is, endeavoring to pin the white s bishop at K.T. 3. This gave Grierson a chance to win a rook for a pawn, which he did on the eleventh move. The game thereafter was merely a rout of the black forces up to the thirtyninth move, when the black resigned. Hicks v. James (Halkbur game). James adopted the Green counter gambit, which never fails to multiply intricacies in valued positions. Hicks show, cd some resource, but was outplayed for ,a pawn, and later for a piece, leaving James to secure a victory with a bishop and six pawns against five pawns. Hicks resigned on. the 47th move. Mason v. Rutherford (Zukertort opening).—Mason always favors a close game. His development of Zukert-ort, which he specially favors, landed him in the middle game with no advantage, where a series of exchanges left Rutherford a pawn up at the midday adjournment. Kelling v. Barnes (Halkbur Ruy Lopez.)—This was a perfectly even game up to the luncheon adjournment. The second round of the chess championship was concluded to-day. The game Mason v. Rutherford was drawn. Ivelling lost to Barnes. Adjourned first round games resulted as follows: Freeman beat Davies, and Grierson resigned to Miles. Third round now in progress.