The [above] excellent game was contested at Board 1 in the late telegraph match.

Apart from intrinsic merits, it derives its chief interest from the fact of the Adelaide champion having been victorious. Mr. Beyer won his game also last year.

Black's move three was recommended a little further on in this opening by a well-known English amateur, Mr. Boden, but it makes the defence close and difficult. Illustrative games are to be found in Morphy's inimitable collection.

If White 4 took Kt and then K P, or took K P at once, Black would easily free himself.

Black 9 prevents P to K B 4. Mr. Beyer, as usual, plays this constrained defence well.

At White's 15th move we should have risked the loss of the K P, e.g.— 15. B to Q Kt 3 ; 15... Kt takes K P ; 16. K R to K ; 16... P to Q 4 ; 17. P to Q B 4,

(15.Bb3 Nxe4 16.Rfe1 d5 17.c4)

click for larger view

threatening P to K Kt 3, Kt to Q 2, &c., with a strong attack.

22.g4

This move, followed by the capture of the K R P, was injudicious. By playing P to K R 3 instead of R to K 3 (the correct move) at 27, White imprudently locks up his R.

28.Kg2

P to K B 4 looks better.

29...Bf5

Ably played, winning a P.

At move 31 Black correctly retired B instead of P to Q 6, which looked tempting.

32.Kf2

Here, after a sitting of 13 hours, Mr. Heydon proposed a draw, which was declined. It has been said out of this colony that Mr. Beyer later offered to draw, but on his behalf we state authoritatively and emphatically that he made no such offer. He was throughout sanguine of success.

32...a5

Black plays all this carefully and well. It is doubtful, however, whether P to Q 6 would not have been even better if strengthened quickly by the two next Ps.

At move 37 also P to Kt 5 and P to B 5 seem irresistible,

47.Ra4

K takes P would cost the R by B to K B 8 (ch).

57...Re4+