CHESS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 104, 27 January 1920, Page 3

CHESS

4, n " THE CHAMPIONSHIP CONGRESS

A REVIEW

Tho tourney rcccnHy hold in Wellington to decide tho chess championship of New Zealand has passed into history as n derided success, thanks to tho excellent labours of Mr. E. S. Taylor (local secretary) and C. W. Tanner (lion, secretary N.Z.C.A.). Good work was also done by the Congress Committee nmler the guidaneo of its far-seeing chairman, Mr. W. Mackay (president N.Z.C.A.). The four previous annual championship meetings had been abandoned owing to war conditions, and consequently more than ordinary interest attached to the recant tournament, which was very happily opened on Boxing Day by Sir li'ober't Stout, a former president, of the association, who is himself a very strong exponent of the game. Peeling reference was made to losses sustained by death since tho previous congress was held fivo year ago, tributes being- paid (a) to tho lato MY. A, G. Pell (president of the N./5. Association and for eight years a rooct successful hon. secretary and treasurer to thai: body), (b) to the lato Mr. Justice Pcnnistoh, of Christchurch, a former president: of the association, who for many years encouraged the playing of fine panics bv giving an annual brilliancy prize), and (c) to the tale Mr. S. Mockay, of Wellington. i,ho had for many years been a member of the association as delegate for the Mnstirton Club. Members were also mindful of tho late Mr. Cowper Hill, a competitor in the last congress who died of wounds in Franco in September, tOtfl. Mr. C. P Powlex. who formed the Wellington Chess Club in 18GB, and Mr. W. P. Barraud, who revived it in 187G, were both invited to attend the owning L.preiiony, but were unable to be present. There were fourteen competitors, of whom eight were "old hands," while tho remaining six were niakin? their first bid for the championship. The six prizewinners were all "old hands." After tho tourney had been in progress for a few rounds it became evident that a frond finish between Messrs. W. E. Mason and Barnes, of Wellington, and E. W. Severno (the Canterbury might 1m looked for, Messrs. Podds (Nelson champion) and P. A. Hicks (Jlawke's Day champion) also being in tho running, i'ho final rounds saw Mason m tho lead with Heverne .<n hot pursuit. The former ultimately seeured the muoh-coveted championship with the fine score of eleven wins and two draws (against Messrs. Podds and Wild). Mr. Mason is now New Zealand's record chess champion, his tally homo; six "firsts" and two "thirds," as against Mr. Barnes's live "firsts" and eight'"seconds." Mr. Severno was tho runner-up with tho good snore of ten wins, two draws, and one Joss (to Mason). Both players thoroughly deserved their positions, and the many . congratulation's tendered to them. Messrs. Barnes and Keilin.fr, of the Wellington Working Men's Club, tied for third p'.aco with "twin" scores, inasmuch as thev both lost to Mason and Severne, they both drew with Hicks, they drew their own games (for the third time in succession), and they both defeated tho remaining nine competitors. Mr. Kelling was verv luckv to score two of his games, <uid his dlav was not consistent, as might k expected, seeing that he has only taken part in two local tourneys amino: the past six year*. Mr. E. A. Hicks, the Hawke's Bay. champion, who took the fifth prize, made the tidy score of soven wins, four draws,,and two losses. Since- renioring to Wairoa lie Ims had good practice with Mr. C. It, Sainsbury fa former congress player of note). He is a gifted player, aiid has youth on his side, so a very successful future appears in bo in store for him. Mr. Podds who took the irixlh prize with 8i points, had very hard luck. Ho should certainly have been much nearer to tho champion —his drawn game against whom was one of tho finest eJVorts in the tourney His tihiv on other occasions was also greatly admired, but on the whole he did not do iustico to his great ability. Messrs. T. Poulvy and G. I'. Anderson, lioth of Wellington, came next to Mr, Podds, each player missing Hie prize list bv half a point. They arc both capable of milking a tetter score. Close up to them was Mr. S. Faulknor, the Wellington Working Men's Club colt, whoso rauid advance to front rank has been a gratifying feature in local chess circles during the past year. Mr. P. C. Ewcn, tho Auckland champion, comes next with the. rather modest score of 41 points This does not do justice to hi.s ability, of course. It was his first experience of \ congress play, and, like the other debutants, ho found that playing two evenings a week is one thing, and playing forty- | eight hours a week is quite another mat- j

ter. With the experience he, has gained on this occasion there should Le a very different tnle to toll next time. Mr. J, A. Council, the Wairarapa chmnpion, gnve promise, of securing a prize in the earlier stages. After the fourth round, however, he was under medical attention, anil he had a had run i'ram lonnd fivo onwards. Air. J". 11. Smith, of W'aiiniita Valley, Gisborne, made his reappearance in the ehanip.'onshii) Arena ;:tter an absence rf 25 years. This long absence, and his inability to get regular club practice, must surely have been a great handicap to him. lie intends to make another bid at. the 192(1-21 congress, and should have no difficulty in compiling a greatly improved tally. Half a point behind him comes Mr. Wild (Wellington), whoso flue play when drawing his game with the champion in round twelve attracted some two dozen spectators to that board. Ho also put up a great tight against. Messrs. Sovoruo and Barnes, anil clearly demonstrated that ho has the making? of a top-notcher. The "seasoning" that he got on this occasion (his first experience of playing for lon days on oml) should stand him in good stead in the future. This remark also applies to the whipper-in., Mr. Lindsay (Ngaio). On several occasions ho failed to make slight init'al advantages tell in the end game, but, as a good judge of the game remarked, "tie has got it in him." and from him, too, a' decidedly improved showing may bo looted for in future tourneys—provided that ho is not a,gain troubled with insomnia. Jly an old rule of the association, two local players should not bn paired against each other hi the linal round. This could not be eaiTi'ed out on the nresont occasion, as Wellington contributed eight competitors and the rest of Hie Bom'.nion only supplied six. Messrs. Barnes ami Kelling thus faced each other in th« final round (instead of in one of tho earliest rounds, as on former occ.is.ions).

Mr. Mason's win on January G restored tlio championship title which had bpcn vacant since January 1, 1811;. By scoriii!! 12 points out of a possible _ l.'l hn achieved 92 per cent, of wins, which is n, New Zealand record for a tourney of fourteen or more competitors. It has been beaten only in smaller tourneys. In MS. Mr It. A. Cielnnd, of Buiiedin. defeated his four opponents (Messrs. Edwards Byders, Mount, and Karnes), thus scorinpr tlio possible in nnnexinif the championship. Messrs. F. V. Siedcbcrg- (Bunedin), It. ,T. Barnes (Wellington), and V. K. Kc'iling (Wellington) have each come out half a' point short of tlw possible, their percentages being 01, 03, and 1)5 respectively. The best sustained, effort is without doubt that made by Mr. Barnes, who. in the period from Christmas, 1891!, to Christmas, 1901 (both inclusive) made the splendid approbate for these sis consecutive congresses of M wins, eight draws, and only four losses!

Twelve of the competitors in the recent tourney were contributed by the North Island, anil only two by the South Hand, viz., Messrs. Pcvcrne ' fChristclntrch) and Bodds (Nelson). The late Mr. David Forsyth (Duncd'n) won the chamnionship at the Inurney held in 1001 (Raster), and this, strange to say, is the last South Island win. Tn view of this, a win by Mr, Sevcrne or by Mr. Dodds would have been doubly popular. The chances of tho championship rook crossing (lie Strnils will presumably be ipiproved when Ihe le.'idim.' cliessists of Bunodin, Onmnru. and Tiniaru can see their wav to take a. hand, thereby giving Messrs. Sevcrne and Bndds the support that they so richly deserve.