optimal play: This game was played on Board 5 (out of 7) in the telegraph match between New South Wales and Victoria on 9th November 1870 with seven players on each team playing from Sydney & Melbourne.<<<<<NOTES>
(a) 4.d3
The popular and best play is P to Q4, but Mr. Ryan always plays as in the text.
(b) 7.♗g5
Having his P at K R 3, he should now have moved B to K 3. The play adopted was lost time, as he could not take the K Kt with advantage.
(c) 10.♗b5
A favourite manouvre with Mr. Ryan.
(d) 10...a6
An obliging move.
(e) 13.♘h2
This affords Black a favourable opportunity for advancing his K Kt P. He should have castled.
(f) 18...♘g3
Playing his opponent's game, we think K Kt to B 5 would have been better.
(g) 23.♕d2
A move well suited to Mr. Ryan's style of play. We should have risked P to Q 4, and if Black plays P to K 5, then Kt to B sq, which would certainly have given more interest to the game.
(h) 29.♘g4
Kt to B 4 would have imparted more vitality to this dull, dreary contest.>
- 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
