CHESS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 53, 26 November 1917, Page 8

CHESS

WELLINGTON CHESS CLUB V. WORKING MEN'S CLUB. Tho abovo fixture, which lapsod thirteen years ago when the Working Men's Club Inst several of its best players, was revived on Saturday evening, when a 30-aside match was commenced. Tlie Wellington Club won 8 games (scored by Messrs. M'Nair, C. W. Tanner, Frethey, Crandle, W. H. White, Bock, Grady, and Cruickshank), the Working Men's Club notched 5 wins (scored by Mossrs. 11. Douglas, Arden, Whitehead, Parker, and J. Wilson); two very even games are marked incomplete (Goldschalk v. Wild, and Taylor v. Greig), and fifteen games are' sot down for decision this week. Tho seventeen outstanding games which have to bo accounted for by Saturday week, include the fixtures at the first nine boards.

It is interesting to recall that the first matcl) between these- clubs was played on May 28, 1889, the Wellington Club winning by 6i to Messrs. Benbow, Littlcjolm, Didsbury, W. M'Kay, Samuels, and J. G. W. Brook scored for the winners, and Messrs. W. Brown and G. Bolton for the losers, while tho game G. Wright v. Kelling was drawn. ' Tho second match was, played three months later, the Wellington Club winning by 4£ to Bi. Messrs. Littlcjolm, W. F. Barraud. W. Whittem, and C. L. Barraud scored for tho winners, and Messrs. Barnes, C. W. Tanner, and G. Kuclien for the losers. A draw was agreed to in the game at board one, between C. W. Benbow and P. Frank Jacobsen (the architect of the Working Men's Club's present premises). Of thoso who played in 1889 five are taking part in the present match; viz., W. F. Barraud (one of the Wellington Club's founders), C. W. Tanner (then a. new arrival from Invercargill, and now president of the Wellington Club), R. J. Barnes (five times New Zealand champion, eight times runner-up for that honour, and at present champion of both our local senior clubs)., AV. M'Kay (New Zealand champion in 1893), and F. K. Kelling (who has held a large number of offices in Now Zealand chess during tho past two decades).

In the early years of this contest the Working Men's Club side was under the double disadvantage of being a new club and being pitted against a club that was in those days recognised as the strongest in New Zealand. But thoy never lost heart, and after toiling along a long lane of adversity for thirteen years they had tho_ satisfaction of scoring their first win in November, 1901.

When playing the return match of that year they scored ten games to the Wellington Club's five. The last match was played in August, 190-J, shortly before tlio Wellington Club suffered loss by tho firo that destroyed the old Trocadero, in Willis Street (near "Duthie's"). As tho Working Men's Club won on that occasion (151 to 9J) they (remarkable to, relate) "hold tho ashes" at the present time.

THE NGAIO CLUB. Tho 1.917 tourney prizes of the above club wero presented on Thursday evening as follow: First) F. J. Brookor; second, A. B. Topp; third; H.Princo. Highest score in second division, H. Prince; second score in second division, W. Applcton. The brilliancy prize also went to H. Prince, who has thus gained three trophies this season. The remainder of the evening was devoted to a simultaneous match, Messrs. Barnes and Kelling movingthe blackpieces alternately against eight local players. In the later stages of a game, when exchanges are frequent, it is not always easy to recogniso a position after three moves have been made (two by the opponent and ow by the partner), but Messrs. Barnes and Kelling were successful in carrying on each other's ideas, and' thus managed to score the eight games. Thev would, however, have "struck trouble" at some of the boards.if they had failed to "connect up." V. J. Brooker won the special priro (the "Book of the Rice Memorial Tournament," held in New York last year) for making the best stand in this simultaneous exhibition.