| optimal play: <<<<<<<<<CHESS> CHAMPIONSHIP OF AUSTRALIA.>
Mr. Wallace opened the ninth game last night with the Ruy Lopez attack, adopting a line of play favoured by Zukertort and Mackenzie. This ensures a very strong development for white, requiring the greatest care on the part of his opponent. When only a few moves beyond those given in the books had been recorded Mr Wallace, feeling indisposed, suggested an adjournment, to which Mr. Crane at once assented.> - The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW) issue Wednesday 30 August 1893 page 9> The ninth game was continued on Saturday night in the Australia Hotel, and after four hours' play was again adjourned. Mr. Crane is a pawn ahead, but the situation looks very like a draw.> - The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW) issue Monday 4 September 1893 page 5> The ninth game, which appears below, will be found interesting. Mr. Wallace kept a harassing Ruy Lopez attack till the 30th move, when an injudicious exchange of rooks left Mr. Crane the winner of a pawn; that advantage was insufficient to win, as will be seen from the record.> <6.Qe2>
A strong variation, which was popular at the Paris Congress. <7...bxc6>
If 7... Q P takes B ; 8. P takes P ; Kt to B 4 ; 9. R to Q sq ; B to Q 2 ; 10. P to K 6 ! ; P takes P ; 11. Kt to K 5 wins. <(7...dxc6 8.dxe5 Nf5 9.Rd1 Bd7 10.e6 fxe6 11.Ne5)> 
click for larger view<11...Qe8>
To avoid Kt takes P.
<15.Bf4> (49 minutes) <15...Qf7> (58 minutes) <18...d5>
18... R to Kt sq was much better.
<19.Qa4>
A strong move.
<23.Nd1>
Very inferior; he should be prepared to double the rooks. <25...Bb7>
White threatened R takes Kt, but P to B 4 here was the best prevention. <30.Rxf8+> (1 hour 34 minutes) A slip which spoils White's attack.
<30...Nxf8> (1 hour 59 minutes) <32.f4>
Losing a pawn, but 32. B to B 3 would be met with P to Q 5, &c. <39.Kxe1>
After this the game seems a forced draw.
<The newspaper records additional moves> 45... B to B sq ; 46. Kt to Q 3 (ch) ; K to Q 3 <(45...Bc8 46.Nd3+ Kd6)> Drawn Game
White (1 hour 56 minutes), Black (2 hours 48 minutes)> - The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW) issue Saturday 9 September 1893> ½ ½ ½ 0 1 1 ½ ½ ½ (5/9) Wallace
½ ½ ½ 1 0 0 ½ ½ ½ (4/9) Crane | 
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