CHESS NOTES

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2873, 11 September 1916, Page 9

CHESS NOTES

.WELLINGTON SOUTH V. WORKING MEN'S CLUB. The elovonth annual match between the above toaras was played on Monday evening last in the Social Hall of the Working Men's Olub. A cordial welcome was extended to the visitors bythc president, Mr. Mace, who referred to the. fact that the two clubs had Been well matched ever since- ■ this fixture was inaugurated ten years ago. All the contests had been stubbornly fought ought, and victory appeared to rest alternately with either team. Ho took the opportunity to thank the Newtown players for their kind hospitality in last year's match, and in declaring the match open expressed the hope that •the better side, would win. (Applause.) Play theu proceeded rapidly, and at tho refreshment interval the Wellington South representatives had a pronounced lead. The final figures gave them a handsome win by eight games to five, the vice-president of the Working Men's Club, Mr. W. J. Smith, congratulating the winners on their success, duo largely to steady play at' tho lower boards. Honours are now easy between the two clubs, each claiming five winsi while one match ended in a tie., The score of last Monday's match is as follows:— Wellington South.—Purchas (captain), 0; G. P. Anderson, }; W. Armstrong, 0; A. Clark, 1; A. W. Weine, 0; E. J, Falkiner, {■ Welton, I; Perrott, 1; Douglas, 1; Easton, '1; F. Curtis, -1; Laughton, 1; Eno, 0. Total—B. '■ Working Men's Club. —Barnes (captain), 1; Kelling, Jj-Peake, 1; Featonby, 0; J. E. Perry, 1; E. E. Hicks, i; Greig, 0; W. H. Smith, 0; Jensen, 0; Mayne, 0; C. Reid, 0; H. Arden, 0; Le Sueur, 1;' Total—s.

OTAGO .V. WELLINGTON. A fourteen-a-side match by telegraph between tho above clubs was commenced on Saturday evening, the local players occupying their rooms in tho Y.M.C.A. building. As it is seven years since these clubs last opposed each other, great, interest is being taken in the present match. Play commenced sliortly'after 6.30 p.m., working bees in. both centres having mado very complete preliminary arrangements during the afternoon. Mr. D. Harris Hastings umpired for Wellington in Dunedin, and. in tho unavoidable absence of Mr. F. J. Mouat, Mr. S. Faulknor looked after the Otago Club's interests here. The operating, was in the capable hands of Messrs. Taylor (Dunedin) and G. Clark (Wellington). Messrs. Bock, Dornbusch, S. Mackay, Fouhy, jun., and Barnes, jun., acted as scrutineers. Amongst the large number of spectators were noticed Messrs. Severne and Cumberwortli, the two Canterbury experts in the Twentieth Reinforcements, who should give a good account of themselves in next' Thursday's chess match, Wairarapa v. Soldiers. During the evening a message came' through from the Otago Draughts Club challenging the Working Men's Club to play a match by telegraph. (The recent telegraphic draughts match, Otago v. Timaru, ended! in favour of the former by 18 to 4, and four-'dra-ws.) : The following- is a brief description of Saturday's play, the Otago namo being given first in each instance:— Board I.—R. A. Cleland v Barnes (Two Knights' defence): The . former still holds the pawn whichßarhes sacrificed for attack. An interesting and instructive ganie. Board 2—H. Armstrong v. W. E. Mason (Scotch Game): Even. " Board. 3.—0.' Balk" v. W. Mackay (French" 1 'defence) ;,The former has given up a pawn for attack and the freer position,' Board 4— A. Ellis v. P. Still. (Ruy Lopez): An even game. Board 5.— S. S. Myers v. Kelling (Scotch Gambit): The latter lias retained the Gambit pawn and seems to have the freer game. Board' 6,—Mills v. Fouhy (Queen's Gambit accepted): Forces even. Fouhy has the more compact .position). Board 7.— G. D. Wright v. Purchas (Pliilidor's defence): Even. Board B.—J. J. Marlow v. Godtsclialk (Ruy Lopez): Even. Board 9—L. D. Coombs v. S. Gyles (Queen's Gambit declined): Even. s Board. 10.— J. A. Boreham v. W. F. Barraud (Vienna game): Even.

Board 11—D. -Bruton v. AV. C. White (Scotch game): The local player is a pawn to. tho Rood. Board 12.— W. G. Stenhouso v. G. A. Tyer (irregular opening): A Queen's pawn opening was intended, but through an error in notation the first move had to sNind as pawn to Queen's third —a "freak" opening. Tlie game was even at adjournment. -

Board 13.—A. Ward v. H. A. Ward (Queen's pawn game): The Otago player holds a slight advantage, having won the.exchange (Rook for Knight).

Board 14.— W. p. Allen v. A. Gyles "■(Guioco Piano): ,Tlie latter is a pawn

up. From tho foregoing it will be seen that as the result of careful and steady play neither side can claim an advantage so far. It is expeoted that there will bo another,- largo attendance on Saturday evening to witness what promises to bo an exceptionally interesting finish. It' should be added that Otago, having won tho toss, had first move at the odd-numbered boards.