<<INTERCOLONIAL CHESS MATCH.The match by telegraph between seven players of New South Wales and seven players of Victoria, which has formed the leading topic of conversation in the Melbourne chess circles for some time past, took place yesterday, and resulted in a victory for Victoria.
The Victorian players met at the Telegraph office, Market-square, where seven boards had been provided, at 10 o'clock in the morning, and lots having been drawn, the combatants were paired as follows :
No, 1, Hollander (NSW) v. Goldsmith (Vic) ;
No. 2, Phillips (Vic) v. M'Rae (NSW) ;
No. 3, Heydon (NSW) v. Burns (Vic) ;
No. 4, Baynes (Vic) v. Smith (NSW) ;
No. 5, Ryan (NSW) v. Sedgefield (Vic) ;
No. 6, Stanley (Vic) v. Russell (NSW) ;
No. 7, Fisher (Vic) v. Pendrill (NSW).
The representatives of New South Wales had the first move on boards 1, 3, and 5 ; and those of Victoria on boards 2, 4, 6, and 7.
Play commenced at 11 o'clock, and the telegrams were despatched with admirable speed and precision.
At about 10 o'clock [p.m.] Mr. M'Rae, the representative of New South Wales at board 2, succumbed to Mr. L. S. Phillips.
- The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.) issue Thursday 10 November 1870>
NOTES.
(a) 3.♘c3
A move lately brought into vogue by Herr Paulsen.
(b) 5...♕xd5
He would have done better by taking P with P. If he intended to take with Q his previous move was an error.
(c) 6...c5
To this move, Mr. M'Rae attributes the loss of the game.
(d) 9.♗d3
White, no doubt, saw that he might have gained a pawn here, but preferred playing as in the text.
(e) 9...♘a6
Kt to Q 2, followed by B to Q Kt 2, would have been better.
(f) 11...♗b7
Threatening Kt to Kt 5.
(g) 14...O-O
Very dangerous under the circumstances.
(h) 18...♕c7
It was impossible to avoid the loss of a pawn here.
(i) 30.a6
Elegantly played, for if Black takes the rook, White checks at K 8, then takes the R ch, and afterwards the Q, winning easily.
(j) 30...♕e4
P to K 4 looks better. Blacks plays for a perpetual check, but without avail.
(k) 31.a7
White conducts his game throughout with great accuracy and brilliancy.
(l) 34.♔g1
Had he moved R to B 2, Black would have drawn by perpetual check.
The game is very creditable to Mr. M'Rae, whose opponent is evidently one of the most brilliant and beautiful players in the Victorian team.
- Australian Town and Country Journal (NSW) issue Saturday 19 November 1870>
The result of the match was that Victoria scored games 1, 2 and 3 ; New South Wales scored game No. 4. Games Nos. 5 and 6 were drawn, and No. 7 terminated in a dispute, which it has been agreed to refer to Judge Francis.
Kibitzing
