CHESS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2704, 7 January 1910, Page 6

CHESS.

WAVUIOXSHIP TO URN A, ? / MENT.

1 Pun Piikss Association.] AUCKLAND, Jan. 6. The final round of the chess championship was concluded to-day. Grierson boat Barnes, Davie s beat Rutherford, James beat Freeman, and the game between iSeverne and Hicks was drawn. Miles lost to Mason.

Barnes v. Grierson (Rity Lopez).— When the game was resumed, Grierson had only to avoid errors to win, for his attack upon Barnes’ exposed position was deadly. Barnes resigned six moves la,ter. Miles v. Mason (Queen’s gambit declined). —Grierson’s defeat of Barnes turned attention to this game. Every move was watched with increasing interest. After two and a-half hours’ play all the pieces were off, and it was merely a question as tc> • who should gain a position. Miles decided to abandon a pawn for this advantage, tut failed to secure it, and Mason won on the 58th move.

Davies v. Rutherford (Ruy Lopez;.— As Davies had tiro other unfinijcerl games, it was arranged to play tnis to a: finish, and, §. pretty end-game rosition resulted. By a subtle move, Dav les theatened to mate in four, tut Rutherford, scenting disaster, cc-.-.h-tered with a threatened perpetual check. After a few defensive moves Davies secured a win.

James v. Freeman (Guioco Piano). — AVhen the game was continued, Fieeman’s only hope was a chance to stall off mate. The attack was irresistible, yet he struggled on for more than twenty moves, prolcngi lg (he coup de grace by sacrificing. He resigned on the 52nd move. Severne v. Hicks (Guioco Piano). — Nothing but a blunder could h-ve I’ecipitated the game on either sue in the blocked pawn position, and a draw was agreed on. In the adjourned games of the r-'nth round, in Rutherford v. Miles, a draw was agreed on without resuming p'ay. At the conclusion of the finai r< « nd the scores stood : —Grierson, won 8, lost 2, to play 1; Mason, 8,2, 1; Barnes, 6. 5,0; Miles, 6,5, 0; Davies, 6, 4,1; James, 54, of, 0; Rutherford, 5, 6,0; Sainsbury, 4'£, 64, 0; Freeman, 4, 7,0; Severne, 4,7, 0; Hicks, 4,6, 1; Kelling, 3f, 74, 0. The Chess Championship Tourney is concluded. Mason v. Davies was drawn, Grierson v. Hicks drawn. Grierson and Mason tie for tho championship and play off to-morrow. Davies is third, Barnes fourth, Kelling (last year’s champion) bottom of the list.