<<<THE AUSTRALIAN CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP.>WON BY J. L. JACOBSEN.>
The ninth and final game was won by Mr. Jacobsen last night, making his score seven games to one and one draw.
In this game Mr. Crane opened with the Q P opening, which his opponent met carefully, and the play proceeded upon modern lines up to about the 20th move.
Mr. Crane then seemed to relax and Mr. Jacobsen obtained an attack which gradually grew in strength, Mr. Crane resigning the game and the match upon his 36th move.
Thus ended a match of which not the least pleasing feature was the thorough good feeling which existed between the contestants and all concerned throughout.
The critics are much divided in opinion as to the cause of such a one-sided result between two players who had hitherto proved so evenly matched.
Some hold that Mr. Crane's play was below his usual form; others consider that Mr. Jacobsen played with greater ability than formerly.
However this may be, an interesting match has been fought and won, and when the games come to be exhaustively analysed the play will probably compare favorably,
at any rate for lively situations, with that of previous similar contests.
Mr. Crane, "the hero of a hundred fights," who has done yeoman's service in the cause of chess, will now retire from such arduous contests, and surely no one is more entitled to an honorable rest.
On the other hand, the new champion, Mr. Jacobsen, only played the match to assert his position as an Australian chess authority, and has neither time, inclination, nor sufficiently robust health to defend the title.
He will also retire shortly from protracted matches, but Mr. W. H. Jonas, having so often and earnestly expressed his wish to play for the championship of Australasia, Mr. Jacobsen has decided to play this one match before retiring.
Mr. Jonas last night again formally challenged Mr. Jacobsen, and deposited a portion of the stakes.
Mr. Jacobsen, by the terms of the championship, is entitled to six months' grace, but he is willing to concede a portion of that time, and the match will probably take place early in April.>
Kibitzing
