The game was watched with pleasure by the spectators, and it is certainly the most entertaining of the series.>

FIRST WIN TO MR. CRANE.>

Play was resumed at Gunsler's Café at the usual hour last night.

The interesting position shown in the diagram published in our issue of Monday attracted an unusually large number of lovers of the game, whose opinion seemed equally divided with respect to superiority of position.

The opening moves by Black maintained his advantage on the queen's side of the board.

<4.d3>

A quiet but good variation which Anderssen favoured.

<4...d6>

The best answer, though some attacking players prefer 4... B to B 4

<5...g6>

Also right, as the K B remains inactive if played to K 2

<6.Nbd2>

First introduced by Steinitz against Blackburne. It seems to lose time, but the nature of the opening permits it.

<10.Qc2>

Probably best. 10. P takes P ; Kt takes P, is to Black's decided advantage.

<10...d4>

Black has now a fine free game.

<11.Nf1>

White has nothing better to do.

<13...Qd6>

To prevent 14. B to R 3

<15.h3> (59 minutes)

Otherwise Black plays 15... Kt to Kt 5 and White has no good move for the Q B

<15...c5> (13 minutes)

<18...Ne8>

This and the subsequent Kt moves seem too slow, seeing that the Kt is exchanged when he gets to K 3

<19...Qc6>

19... R to R 2 would be bad owing to 20. P to Q Kt 4

<25...f5>

This and Black's next move are inferior and needlessly expose the K's side; White's weakness is on the other wing. 25... P to Q R 4 was more promising.

<26.f3>

Obviously if 26. P takes P White is mated on the move.

<27...Rac8>

Here also we like P to Q R 4

<28.Qa2>

White's next three moves are time-savers.

<30.Qb2> (119 minutes)

<30...b4> (90 minutes)

Virtually securing a passed pawn on the Q's side, but the move made allows White to free his game presently by P to Q 4

Evidently 30... P to B 5 is bad because of Kt P takes P

<32.d4>

A strong move, which secures a protected passed pawn for the ending.

White got the worst of the opening, but now we should take his game for choice.

<32...a5>

The adjournment move.

We prefer 32... P takes P ; 33. B takes P ; B to K B sq

<(32...exd4 33.Bxd4 Bf8)>

<33.d5>

It is an open question whether 33. P takes P ; R takes R ; 34. R takes R ; B takes P ; 35. B to Q 4, is not a preferable variation for White.

<(33.dxe5 Rxd2 34.Rxd2 Bxe5 35.Bd4)>

<36.Nc1>

If 36. B to B 5 (threatening B takes P), 36... K R to B sq and White dare not play, 37. B takes P.

<(if 36.Bc5 Rdc8 37.Bxb4? Qb6+!)>

Better than the text move was 36. R to B sq

<37.Rdd2>

White intended 37. Kt to Q 3, but feared the sacrifice of 37... B takes P, which he had not time to examine.

<(if 37.Nd3 Bxd5 38.exd5 e4 39.Bd4 Bxd4+ 40.Qxd4 exd3 41.Rxd3 )>

click for larger view

<39.Be1>

39. Kt to K 2 seems compulsory.

Black's last two moves and his next are exceedingly good.

<41.Qb1>

White's position is fraught with danger. 41. Q to Kt 2 seems best.

<44.Bxb4>

The afterplay shows that White's best chance was 44. R takes P ; B takes Kt ; 45. R takes P, with fair drawing chances.

<48...Rc1>

An unfortunate slip which deprives Black of a well-earned victory, 48... B to K 2 wins.

<(48...Be7 49.Bxb2 Rxb2 0-1) or (48...Be7 49.Bxe7 Rc1 0-1)>