NORTH OF IRELAND (BELFAST) CHESS CONGRESS, MASTERS' COMPETITION.

The proceedings opened at the Central Hall, Rosemary Street, Belfast, on Monday, with an admirable address from Dr. Barnett, who wished the players a happy and harmonious time and extended to them a hearty welcome.

No.1. Bird against Blackburne offered an Evans Gambit. This game was the only one played without clocks; both players seemed at ease, and glad to be free from the formality and encumbrance of time regulators and it is a happy omen that it proved one of the most interesting in the programme:

The following is the complete list of the masters' games:

J. H. Blackburne, H. E. Bird, T. J. Lee, and J. Mason
1 Bird Blackburne Evans declined 64 moves Drawn

2 Lee Mason Petroff 75 " Mason

3 Bird Lee Queens Pawn counter 47 " Drawn

4 Blackburne Mason Vienna 44 " Blackburne

5 Lee Blackburne Kt KB3 PQ4 48 " Blackburne

6 Mason Bird KP and QP 62 " Mason

7 Blackburne Bird Ruy Lopez Kt Q5 47 " Bird

8 Mason Lee KP and QP 18 " Drawn

9 Lee Bird PQ4 37 " Bird

10 Mason Blackburne Ruy Lopez 28 " Draw

11 Blackburne Lee Ruy Lopez 43 " Blackburne

12 Bird Mason Two Knights Def 38 " Mason

13 Lee Mason Kt KB3 PKB4 35 " Mason

14 Bird Blackburne KP1 KPB2 42 " Draw

15 Bird Lee KP one 73 " Draw

16 Blackburne Mason Giuoco Piano 30 " Draw

17 Mason Bird Sicilian 27 " Bird

18 Lee Blackburne Four Kts 20 " Draw

No.1 is the best and most instructive; No.17 was the most lively and entertaining. Of the eight draws, two are legitimate, the other six being unworthy the name of games.

That Lee when out of the running, directed a care and energy against Bird which he did not against Blackburne and Mason will be readily observable by a comparison of the games, especially No. 9, 15, and 18; in the last he indeed made no attempt to win at all, and a draw is the utmost he seems ever to have hoped for in the other.

In the final score Bird, Blackburne and Mason were even in their play, but Bird only scored 2 out of 3 with Lee, whilst the others gained 2 1/2 out of 3 against him, this difference of half a game placed Bird third only.

The two last games, the 17th and 18th, were finished about the same time; thus, when Bird had won from Mason (doing his best in a game which in no way effected his position) Blackburne and Lee agreed to draw, which was a disappointment to the spectators, and of course, to Bird, who was entitled to, and would have liked to have seen the game played out.

These games present a very striking contrast. We particularly commend the last, and the other draw to the consideration of all who would wish to see chess continued as a noble and worthy game. Bird by consenting to a draw with Mason could at once have given him the first prize.

No.17. Game played in the Masters' Tournament, 23rd September, 1892, between Messrs. James Mason and H. E. Bird:

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