DRAUGHTS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 150, 21 March 1921, Page 6

DRAUGHTS

_NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIP.

A meeting of local draughts player* was held at the Working Men’s Club’s chess and draughts room on Saihirday evening, when further arrangements were made 'for the impending tourney to decide the 'draughts championship of New Zealand. Sir Robert Stout, who has long been known as a very strong exponent of boVh chess and draughts, hag been asked to make the formal opening, which takes place at 10 a.m. on Saturday next at the rooms of the Wellington Working Men’s Club and Literary Institute. According to present indications there will be about fourteen competitors, as follow:—Messrs. J. A. Boreham and E. E. Hilliker (both of Dunedin), Brown and Millington (both of Christc'hurch), Bruce (New Plymouth), Gibson (Marton), Burgess, Shadbolt and another (Wellington Wntersiders), Manson and Costello (Wellington Working Men’s 'Club), Lowry (West Coast), and Messrs. Mulvey and Kenope (private entries from Wellington). Messrs. W. Smith and C. Reid (both of Wellington) may also be taking part. The contest will be in the nature of a full-round tourney, and in conjunction with it there will be a sealed handicap, so flhat those who fall behind in tlie earlier stages will, despite initial non-success, have an incentive to do their best right up to the end of the tourney. Mr. J. Kent (hon. secretary to the tourney) has been appointed referee, and Messrs. J. Reid, J. Coulter, and .1. Wright'have been appointed to do the handicapping for the supplementary event. -- The absence of the present champion, Mr. D. Calderwood, of Huntly (who has held the title ever since 1914), and Mr. J. Gardiner (champion in 1901 and again in 1904) is naturally regretiled, T’ie above entry list, however, includes some very strong players, and there, is thus every prospect' of the impending tourney being a most successful link between past nnd future, Mr. J. A. Boreham has been New Zealand champion four times (viz., in 1896, 1897, 1898, and 1909), and Australasian champion once (1909-10). zMr. F. E. Hilliker, his clubmate, has won the New Zealand c'hampioiiship twice (in 1908 and again in 191°) Mr J. Mulvey, who was runnerup’to Mr.’Gardiner in the 1901 tourney, has not followed the game up for some years past. ‘_He can, however, be relied on fo assist Alessrs. Bruce, Gibson, Burgess Brown, Millington and others in setting up a high standard play on this occasion. Id is expected “that • large number of enthusiasts will closely follow the play from day to day, particularly the games of those who appear to have the best chance of landing the championship.