CHESS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 76, 23 December 1919, Page 5

CHESS

NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIP. The tourney which is to be hold in Wellington during tho Christmas holidays to decide the chess championship of' New Zealand promises to lie a very successful gathering. The reports received from the various sub-committees at the Inst meeting of the local executive indicated that very complete arrangements have been made for the carrying out of tho contest. Tito formal opening will take place at the Education Board Building in Mercer Street, at 10.30 a.m. on Boxing Day. Sir Robert Stout, a former president of the New Zealand Chess Association, is being asked to preside. It, is interesting to recall that he was one of the founders of the first chess club established in Dunedin over 50 years ago. After the formal opening there is to be a mceling of competitors to decide on the hours of play and sundry other details. The first round will, it is understood, he played during the afternoon mid evening sessions, and the • second round on Saturday. The tourney, which is expected to occupy ten or eleven 'days, is open to the public. The time limit is eighteen moves per hour. Mr. W. Mackay, of Wellington, who is president of the New Zealand Chess Association, has-"donated the brilliancy prize. As stated in an earlier local there are fouf tiien competitors, of whom twelve belong to the North Island. Mr. Severue (Canterbury champion) and Mr. J. A. Connell Wnirarapa champion) have already arrived. Messrs. Dodds (Nelson champion), Hicks (Napier champion). P. C. Even (Auckland champion), and V. C. Smith, (fjisborno) nro expected to arrive in the course of a day or two. It may be added that exceptional interest attaches to the present contest, as (here has l.een a "war break" of fivo years in this annual lourncy.