CHESS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 282, 25 August 1919, Page 3

CHESS

LOCAL TOURNAMENTS. ( Several -frames were .accounted for last * weak in the Wellington Chess Club's current championship tourney, wins, being scored l>y W. E. Mason, W. ■ Mockay, G. P. Anderson, E. S. Taylor, Gcdtschalk (2), and Kelling. The games Godtachalk v. Fouhy, Godtschalk v. S. Gyles, and Barnes v. Faulknor wer<j drawn. The fixture Barnes v. Anderson 6tauils adjourned, the former being a pawn to the good. The best tallies to ' date are: W. E. Mason, seven wins, two loses; Godtschalk, 5-1; Purehas, 4-2; Kel]iny, 4-2; Barnes, 3J-11; S. Gyles, 3}-l'i; W. Mackay, 3|-11; and G. P. Anderson, 3-0. The following are now leading in the club's aunuai "Petlienek" tournanjsnt (handicap): Rev. Braddock, li-2; Barnes, .5J4; \V. C. White, 5-2; F. Gradv, 5-3; E. S. Taylor, 4-2; Clutlen, 5-5; find S. Mackay, 3-3. The club has sent a cordial invitation to the clies.i players, of H.M.S. .New Zealand, one ol whom attended on' Saturday and enjoyed a few skirmishes. A. W. Gyles, who has twice tied for the championship of New Zealand, returned to Wellington by the Essex on Friday. Ho was on a visit to England when the war broke out, and at ones . joined the Field Ambulanco of tlu> R.A.M.C., being stationed first in Franca and afterwards at Salonika. Later ho studied for and obtain a commission in the Royal Artillery. While in London lie had some good practice with Mr Amos Burn (winner of two International Tournaments) and other chess notables. His tally of wins in these various encounters is a distinct credit to Now Zealand oliess. His chances of winning the New Zealand Championship at the first post-war congrcss (to be held in Wellington during the Christinas holidays) are generally regarded as excellent. Good progress was made last week in the handicap tourney of the Working Men's Club, in which S. Faulknor is lending, he having, played eight games and won them all. Other good tallies a.ro: W. C. White, Gl-li; Barnes, 41-34> Mate-jka, 4-3; Burgess, 35-1J ;.a.nd Eton, 3-0. Interest- in the South W le^in ß' x>n Club's current handicap tourney was stimulated on Thursday evening when, the three "scratch" players were all defeated, Purehas, G. P. Anderson, and Welton losing to Greig, Mulvey, ami Ashby respectively. Berry won from Fisher, and the fixture A. Clark v. Harper stands adjourned. Purehas and. Mulvey are now leading l , each having scored 5 wins and t loss. Thev are being pursued by Greig, 7-3; Anderson, 4-2; Rev. Braddock, 41-4J; Ashby, 4-3; ' Harper, 3-J-U; mid A. Clark, 3}-2.\. lhe. club's telegraphic match against the Wanganui Club will probably be contested on Saturday next. It is hoped to commajico "hostilities" at 4 p.m., so i- as to finish the match in ono day. NEW ZEALAND'S >■ FIRST CONGRESS. The first tournament _ to decide the I clieso championship of New Zealand was in progress in (Jhristchurcli just forty years ago. It differed from later championship tourneys in that two full rounds were played instead of only one. It was also tho only occasion that Wellington did ilot provido a competitor. Bach of the'eight competitors thus had (o account for fourteen frames. -lhe highest scorers were: H. HooKha.ni (dbristchurch) and D. R. Hay (J)unedin), each two wins, four losses; 1. Frank- Jacobsen (Christehurch), 8-li; lj. Bray (Christcluirch), 7J-G4; and J. Colborne Veel (tlie Canterbury president), 7-7. Mr. Hooldiam won tho play-oft, tho game lasting six houro. He Jims became New Zealand's piono:r champion, and won the first pri/,o (j..w)Mr. Bay took second prize (£2O). nna P. Frank Jacobsen tlio third prize ,-£10). All those who took part in this inciuoiablo and historic contest have passed away. Mr. Hay, who was the last survivor, died in Melbourne in October, 1911. It may be added that of those who'took pari in the second championship congress (Christmas, 1888). the onb survivor is Mr. W. Brown, who is sti , an active member ol the ( Chess Club. Ho carries Ins 81 years j very lightly, and still plays a strong ® ara& '