CHESS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 2, 28 September 1920, Page 7

CHESS

'AUCKLAND Ji WELLINGTON. •' The twenty-a-Bidc telegraphic- ma-ton. between tho above ch.bs is scheduled to commence on Saturday rcxt at 6 p.m. Lite Aucklanders have an unbeaten record this year. Add to this the fact that it *» sixteen years since these clubs last playeo. each other, and it v.'ill not' be wondered at that the impending contest, is creating much more than ordinary interest in chew circles. It. is .doubtful whether twq Saturday evenings vill suffice to:decide tiie contest. ■ Three , evenings have generally been devoted to tlis fixture, and even then it has usually been found necessary to send half a dozen incomplete games to the Adjudication Board. On this occasion the two captahs are to endeavour to come.to an agreement, regarding unfinished games with a view to avoiding -tne delay that is-inseparable from aa]uaiia During the past- fortnight there have been many inquiries, regarding Pf V 1 0;" Auckland v. Wellington matches. Accoraing'to local records-(which may or may not be complete) these clubs have opposett each other on five '■ccasions,. aa_ follow ;- (a).ln 1891, three Saturday evenings were devoted to a iifteen-a-side match, tho nnji tally being: Wellington. 8j; Auckjand, fj. There were a large number of spectators, Including two of A T ew Zealand's foremost players, viz., the late Hon. John Ballance (Prime Minister), and Sir Robert Stout. Jfr. H, J. Barnes (Hen New- Zealand champion) drew with Mr. Malcolm at Board 1, and the late Mr. O. W. Bcnbow (president) won from Mr. Ashton at Boartt E (b) In 1895 a Iwenty-a-sidc match occupied three evenings. After five incomplete games had been adjudicated on bv the late Mr. H. Hookham, of Ohnstchurch (New Zealand's pioneer. chess champion), the verdict was in favour of. Wellington (15-7)/ Messrs'. '-^enbow, 'W;-Mackay the then Sfew Zealand' Champion) and the. late Mr. A. I. Littlejohn sccred for the local team at tho first' three' boards, 'but at Board 4 Mr. Barnes lost his game through excefding his time limit by two minutes! Mr. W. E. Mason (the present New Zealand champion, v-ho was then 18 yean of age), scored his game at Board 17 in fine style, (cj Only two evenings were devoted to the 1899 c- nteflt (fifteen boards). The Wellingtonians had a.wire laid on to tho Exchange Buildings.- Five incomplete games were referred to Mr. E. A. Cleland, of Dunedin (the then New Zealand champion), and he awarded a draw in each case. Auckland thus scored a well-de-Eerved victory! by ten games to fivo. Mr. \V. E. Mason, at Poard 3, and.tho late Mr. Peter Still, at Board 4; were the only two players to score for Wellington. Bix . games were drawn, and the remaining seven wcro scored byAucklandi who had a very, formidable "tail." (d) Twenty boards were used in the 1902 match. After throe evenings' play seven games wero referred to the li-to Mr. David Forsvth, of Dunedin (the ex-champion of Now Zealand). As his decisions could not alter tho rcsult-a win for Wellington-Mr. Barnes (captain) sent tho following facetious telegram: "Aucklanders Burrentioring now will bB admitted to Greater Wellington." Shortly afterwards came the reply: "Thanks for liberal terms of surrender,' but we. prefer to remain Auckland citizens for the yresent!" Cheers -were exchanged at the cessation of play.; The final tally was: Wellington, 121; Auckland, 7{. - This timo the local side had tho markedly stronger "tail," despite the fact that substitutes had to be found for. Messrs. James, Tait, Carmine, and Janion. e) The 1904 contest nlßo consisted oi twenty boards. Mr. O. W. Benbow oap ta,ined the local side, but did-not play. After four- evenings' strenuous play, six games were adjudicated on by Mr. Torsyth- 'Dunedin), the f.nal score being: Weilington, 12; Auckland. 'B.' Messrs.. W. h. Mason and J. 0. Grieraon drew their game at Board 1. Mr. A. W. Gyles, ( *cn only 16 years of r.ge. made his first interprovincial" appearance, scoring a draw at Board 20. At the doao of' this contest oh'esß writers in- Auckland and Christchurch 'generously complimented Wellington on being the Dominion's strongest chess centre. . Four Wellingtonians have taken part in nil live matches, viz., Mcsarß., Barnes, w. Maekav, W. P. Barrand. and Kelling'. Efforts were made in 1907 to arrange a oneday match (Saturday afternoon and even ing), but it wns found impossible to secure a wire during the afternoon, and no match reßulted, . . ' Ro much Sor the very intereßtimr part. What counts to-day Is. of course, the 193J contest. What are Wellington's chanefs? The Aucklanders have scored very solid winß in auick succession from the Masterton. Canterbury,. and Ofago clubs, and they have achieved this fine record without putting their full strength "in tho firing line." Moreover, the northern club has a much larger membership to choose from. It seems, therefore that If the Wellingtonians fail to stop the victorious career-of the "Blue and Whites" it will he because of the srlendid form that'is being shown this iear in "the Corinth of New Zealand."