CHESS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16451, 19 February 1919, Page 2

CHESS.

PROBLEM-SOLVING TOURNAItEOT.

The Good Companion Chess Problem Club of America is holding its annual solving competitions all over the world Jiext Saturday (George Washington's Birthday). Book prizes have been sent from America for tho i'ew Zealand competitions, which are to be held eimultaneosly in Dunedm, Christchurch, Auckland, and Wellington. The local contest lakes place at the Y.M.C.A. rooms on, Saturday evening. It is not confined to club members, but is open to all chess players, and there ie no entrance fee. Each competitor is provided with a sheet, on which are printed the twelve two-move problems to be solved. ll® js allowed two Lours and a half (8 to 10.30 p.m.) for solving, and may use a board and set of chessmen. If two competitors tio for a prize with as equal number 0/ correct solutions, the award will bo in favour of the one who used, the lesser amount of time. Mr W. H. Joyce will act as supervisor for . the local contest. It' is interesting to note that at the last 'two contests Canterbury has secured the highest, score, W. S. King doing tto in 1917 and H.' L. Anderson in 1918. This year E. -H. Severne, ex-Canterbury champion, who has been away at tho front, will &gain be a competitor. It may be added • that tli*> Good Companion Club was founded in PJliladel-' phia, U.S.A., six years ago, and that it has grown into a big concern from a modest' ccginnifcg. It now /has members in almost eyery.country wherA chess is played—to'say nothing of outlying islands (Society Islands,' Chathams, etc.). Th© Good pre heavily . indebted to Mr Alan C. White, ot New York, who has given two thousand chess books since the club" was founded.' It took its title from an incident of the thirteenth century. About the year 1250 on unknown writer who styled himself "Bonus Sociua" (Good Companion) endeavoured* to stimulate the composition and study of' chess problems , by , compiling a collection ot all the problems that he could trace. By. publishing a .monthly-magarine and..airanging solving tourneys all over the world free to all, and in presenting prizes, the modem. "Good Companions" are, of course, trying to act up to .the ideals Bert, by Bonus Socius."