CHESS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2748, 17 April 1916, Page 7

CHESS

WELLINGTON SOUTH CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP.

The fliiat t.ottPtmmoat to dooide the ohnmpiouship of tho Wellington South Club woa concluded on Thursday ovoning, when tiro ganio between Messrs. B. B. Allen and l'urclins (who occupy the two highest rungs oH tho club's "ladder") ended in a draw. Mr. Purchns thus com. pleted Ms seven fixtures with the unbonton record of 5 .wins and 2 draws, and becomes the club champion. Ho has received a largo number of congratulation!) on his success. The runner-up, Mr. A. Clark, finished up'only haTf r. point behind the champion. Ho sustained the good form which a fow months earlier g"iiued him tho first prize, in the club's 1915 handicap tourney, and is generally re. garded as the club's most improved p]«yor, Mr. B. B. Allen, who has been champion for several yearn through his success .in retaining the highest rung on tho ladder, was not at the top of his form on this occasion. Tho various prizes won during tho past 12 months aro to bo presented' at nest ireok's annual general meeting. NGAIO CLUB. .'■'•■ The Ngaio Club's annual handicap tour, ney was commenced three weeks ago, there being 14 competitors; of whom' four aro -■on the scratch mark, viz.: Messrs. Car. mai< (chanypioii), Topp (ex-ohampion), Wild, and G. P. Andersop. These give small odds to Messrs. Hioks (2), Lindsay, Westbrooke, and Banks, who 111 turn oouccde small odds to the remaining competitors, viz.: Messrs. Green, Brown, Tucker, Applctou.and Prince. WORKING MEN'S CLUB. The ohoss and draughts report to b« presented to members of tho • Working Men's Club nt the forthcoming annual mooting, stales that:—Tho annual han. dioap chess tourney (whioh attracted 13 entries) was handsomely won bv Mr. A. T. Peaka (Class IV), with 9J points out of a possible 11. The remaining prizes wore, won as follow:—Second, j. P. Key (Class VII), 8 points; third, ,W. Featonby (Class V), 7J points; fourth and fifth, divided by R. J. Bnrnes (I), J. J. Burgess {TV)', and C. R-eid (VIT), who each scored 7 points. Mr. J. Coulter won the special prize for tho best score against the prizewinners. Tho annual draughts tourney (sealed handicaps) was started with M competitors, of whom i withdrew in the early stages. Tho prize list is as follows; —1, C. fieid (handicap 9), 33 points; 2, W. Roberts (handicap 20), 31J points; 3, H. Douglas, (handicap 12), 31 points; i, T. Costelilo (handioap 9), 301 points; and 6, J. Coulter (handicap 20), 30 points. Mr. Reid's success was both popular and well deserved, his form having been, good rig-Ht through the tourney. Tho annual distribution of prizes took idaco at a special meeting on December 6, tho.occa. sion being taken lo compliment the vnri011s handinappers bn.'tho success of their efforts to bring about'close finishes. : 'he,title of chess championship of New Zealand beoamo vacant on January I,'the New' Zealand Chess Association having abandoned its annual championship congress, owing to various .conditions axisiug out of the present great war. The annual draughts championship of New Zealand has also been abandoned owing,to tho war—thus putting this championship'also in line with almost all other New Zealand championships. v /

Tho .report ohronicles with, regret thb recent deaths of J. W. Gray (a forinor president) and J. B. Graham (a former vice-president), who in their day rendered much useful and valued service to the club. Mr. J. Milesi, ft former chair, man, who has loft the .Dominion, und Mr: J. M. Wilson, one ot our most pro'nnsing players, who left as a n.c.o. in tho Ninth Eeinforcements, both carry with them our best wishes. ■. Our grateful thanks have been tendered to the Wellisston South C.C. for their land hospitality at tho annual match. We are also indebted to the general committee of : our club' for continuing, tho valued support of previous years, and to Messrs. Burton and J. P. Key for kindly donating special prizes. ' On Chiwtnjas Eve a presentation- was made to Mr: J. V. .Key, to mark in a small'way our appreciation of his valuable services ns our assistant hon. secretary, and also, our great regard for him personally.. ■ Thb outlook for the coming year is a bright one, despite the general disturbance of normal, conditions caused bv the present great war. A continuance of the enthusiasm of tho past is seemingly all that is needed to ensure another successful year. Chess players will qnco raoro be able to compete for the Staples Cup, which haflv'been handed back by tho mem-', ber who won it outright a few years ago.